I guess it's all a matter of perspective. The thread was about the Contender maybe not being made any longer. I felt it was important for folks who might read this thread, and not know about the strength of the two types of frames.

The 45/70, according to most folks, has punishing recoil, from a Contender. Sierra states in their reloading notes: "At nowhere in these data is recoil not objectionable." I've only shot one half a dozen times, but it was FAR more recoil than any of my other Contender barrels. I'd never want a 45/70, in a handgun.

20 years ago if I was told I could have only one barrel for my gun I would have chose the 45/70. Even though its now pretty painful for me to shoot I think I would still pick it. Its just hard to beat. Will easily take anything smaller then a grizzly bear and bunnies as well. Also great paper puncher.

When I bought my Contender I debated on the 7/30 Waters, but I had at that time never evan heard about it before. So I bought the 30-30 instead. Its a fun barrel for shooting but I always chose the 45/70 barrel for deer hunting.

Yes, I guess I wasn't paying attention, this thread is clearly about Contenders and not Encores, sorry for lapse into unconsciousness. I have a Contender barrel in 444 Marlin, and I think it recoils a bit more than the 45-70, but if it does it's because the whole rig is lighter than an Encore. I can't help what the Sierra loading manual says about recoil, I think it is more a matter of opinion. I shoot the two 45-70 barrels I have often, usually the one with the muzzle brake is used with a butt stock, It doesn't recoil as much as my Ruger #1. I use only 300 and 350 grain bullets and that would certainly make a difference.

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If its got a cork, I'll drink it - if it's got a tune, I'll dance to it - if it's got a trigger, I'll shoot it - if it's got hair, I'll ride it

Yep, recoil is one of those subjective thingies!

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Ask me about QDMA.

My pet 45/70 rifle load was a 400 grain cast bullet over 46 grains of IMR 3031, until I fired that load in my Super Sixteen 45/70 Contender. Oh it could be made to shoot into less than 1" at 75 yards, but you were gunshy for over a week afterwards. So the 45/70 with full house loads are not practical in one. I have been shooting LEE's 457/340 bullet for over 20 years since then and it shoots to "point of deer" out to 250 yards.