Different strokes is all & OK by me. I'll not dispute how to hunt.
I have "played around" with revolvers & other type actions enough to muffle the cocking/safety off action that, although I do hunt with a round in chamber, I'll leave the safety on. That's just me. For a revolver, a hand wrapped around the cylinder while cocking helps slowly rotate same. With judicious pressure on trigger while thumbing back hammer seems to alleviate most, if not all, noise. Takes a full extra coupla seconds, if that ... Again, that's just me.
Too, I cannot for the life of me sit still in the same place for hours on end. Did it once for about 4 hours a year or two ago & set my personal all-time record. I'm of the v-e-r-y s-l-o-w watch-the-wind-, take-a-step, look at everything type of hunter - a kinda dark-timber still-hunter. If I find a spot that looks inviting, I may sit there for an hour or so, quietly move on & may "find" another inviting spot only 25 yards or so distance - I'll then plop my butt down & hang out there. Sometimes walk slowly & steadily on w/o "setting up" anywhere. May cover a "whole" mile & a half when in the dark stuff for a day's hunting - varies depending. Takes a huge amount of concentration but I get totally bored sitting on the same stand hours on end.
I figure too, that the critters live, bed down & chew their cud, etc. where I hunt 'em. Doesn't matter time of day as they're either on their way in (= early), actually livin' there (majority of the time), or leavin' to get somewhere else (= later in the day). The dark stuff is where it's at. Shots are usually under 30 yds.
I have yet to take an elk during those "magic moments." Every damned one of them has been between 11AM & 3PM - statistically the worst times of the day. & every one of them was "walked up" & on their own turf.
Actually, I guess the same (re catch 'em on the way in or out) would go for stand hunting .... Only difference is the added benny of extra area coverage where they're bedded down when you hunt 'em up. 'Course it matters emensely the critter, terrain & patterns. Mine is mostly for elk.
41fan, the "cock-when-on-stand" method never would have crossed my mind. I do think that with some practice, you could "get around" that predeliction, but again = your call. Be safe, brother.
handgunhunter,
Re your "With the contender once you cock the hammer you must pull the trigger to release it and to recock it you have to break the action to reset the sheer."
You are correct for most any standard Contender, but not necessarily true as far as you state & can be different with just a minor modification.
A "trigger pull/weight adjustment" can be done with the "sear spring" (correct technical term escapes me) by cutting off 90 degrees of that very small spring at a time till you like the trigger pull. Very simple, cheap & safe "trigger job." +, on mine anyway, I can re-engage the sear by pulling back on the lower trigger guard (as to break the action). If I maintain any upward pressure on the barrel, the sear will re-engage (no action break) & am all set again to reset the sear/re-cock the hammer. Pretty nifty added extra besides dropping the trigger pull "immediately" by about 1/2.
Seriously, my Contender trigger pull is at (an admittedly unmeasured) 1-1/2 pounds & the proverbial glass rod. Drop an e-mail if you want to discuss this further. It's a way cheap hoot.
BTW, what caliber did you end up with? Did you go for the .375 JDJ?