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Mule Deer gun
#8331843
07/26/21 04:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,765
spacejunkie
OP
Veteran Tracker
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OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,765 |
Did not want to step on toes on the other muley thread. Been watching the other post on mule deer hunting with a 30-06 and shooting at a long range and was wondering about another caliber to use. I have a 25-06 and a 270 and was wondering with the right ammo if they would be better or good enough for the long shots for a mule deer? I know chevy-ford type question but I still am curious for feedback.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8331869
07/26/21 05:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,243
Biscuit
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 19,243 |
It is going to be personal preference for sure, I’ll throw the first vote out there and say I’d take the 25-06
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8331879
07/26/21 05:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,902
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 31,902 |
A Rocky Mountain mule deer can push or exceed 300 lbs live weight.
A .270 would be my choice.
A smaller bodied desert mule deer I would still pick the .270 but a .25-06 is certainly adequate.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8331883
07/26/21 05:33 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,275
cos
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,275 |
270 with accubonds 150grn
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8331884
07/26/21 05:33 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,568
garyrapp55
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,568 |
270 because of a heavier bullet, and the Chevy.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8331898
07/26/21 05:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,425
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,425 |
This is the type thread that could go on forever, at least they have before.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8331902
07/26/21 05:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 957
goosebuster
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 957 |
killed one with a 30-06 at a decent range 150yds +
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332002
07/26/21 07:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,918
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,918 |
We have 300lb live weight mule deer out here in the sandhills. I've seen the landowner's son whack some very big bucks with a 243 and 95gr ballistic tips. If you can shoot it's all that's necessary, as bullets are the most important compnonent. I've shot a bunch of them myself with a 7mm08/140 accubond/partition combo.
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: Jgraider]
#8332012
07/26/21 07:13 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,902
txtrophy85
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Posts: 31,902 |
We have 300lb live weight mule deer out here in the sandhills. I've seen the landowner's son whack some very big bucks with a 243 and 95gr ballistic tips. If you can shoot it's all that's necessary, as bullets are the most important compnonent. I've shot a bunch of them myself with a 7mm08/140 accubond/partition combo.
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense. Biggest deer I’ve ever seen in person scored 213” and weighed 311 lbs on the hoof. Thing was gigantic. Came out of the sand hill country northwest of ft, Stockton
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: Jgraider]
#8332071
07/26/21 08:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,425
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,425 |
We have 300lb live weight mule deer out here in the sandhills. I've seen the landowner's son whack some very big bucks with a 243 and 95gr ballistic tips. If you can shoot it's all that's necessary, as bullets are the most important compnonent. I've shot a bunch of them myself with a 7mm08/140 accubond/partition combo.
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense. Personally I won’t shoot anything I pay big money to hunt with a 243, but like you said, it will do the job if used right. I say that without any desire to start a debate. I really like the bullet comments though and really like the 708 with the accubond/partition. Your over gunned and over scoped comment I like as well. You may be my new best friend….
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332073
07/26/21 08:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,564
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 15,564 |
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332155
07/26/21 09:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I have killed Trans Pecos mule deer with a .270 and a .280 since those are the largest calibers I had. I also used a .270 with 130 grain Core-lokts on 2 Alberta mule deer. One live weighted in the 375 lbs range and the other was smaller bodied. Both were dropped with one shot in the high shoulder/point of the shoulder area. When I went to Alberta it was a last minute deal and the .270 was the largest caliber I owned at the time. I would shoot what you are comfortable shooting and worry about accuracy/bullet placement.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332175
07/26/21 09:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,902
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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I’ve shot mine with a .257 wby.
This year I might shoot my .300 win, but only because I like that particular rifle/scope combo.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332206
07/26/21 09:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,424
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,424 |
Did not want to step on toes on the other muley thread. Been watching the other post on mule deer hunting with a 30-06 and shooting at a long range and was wondering about another caliber to use. I have a 25-06 and a 270 and was wondering with the right ammo if they would be better or good enough for the long shots for a mule deer? I know chevy-ford type question but I still am curious for feedback. Which ever you feel more comfortable shooting, if equal go with lighter(assuming a mtn hunt). I hunt exclusively with 257wby exclusively out west. My 257wby load is basically a 2506 load
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: Jgraider]
#8332212
07/26/21 09:57 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,055
HWY_MAN
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,055 |
We have 300lb live weight mule deer out here in the sandhills. I've seen the landowner's son whack some very big bucks with a 243 and 95gr ballistic tips. If you can shoot it's all that's necessary, as bullets are the most important compnonent. I've shot a bunch of them myself with a 7mm08/140 accubond/partition combo.
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense. Makes a ton of sense.
Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: Jgraider]
#8332324
07/26/21 11:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
We have 300lb live weight mule deer out here in the sandhills. I've seen the landowner's son whack some very big bucks with a 243 and 95gr ballistic tips. If you can shoot it's all that's necessary, as bullets are the most important compnonent. I've shot a bunch of them myself with a 7mm08/140 accubond/partition combo.
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense. The biggest mule deer I ever killed was an old buck with a 243 in the Sandhills. I always shot a 270 but I was driving dad around in the truck when I was14, dad shot a 243 and a doe was acting strange and his rifle was in the front seat. I got out of the truck with his rifle and walked over to where the doe was jumping around. A giant jumped up running and I shot him in the back of the neck at 75 yards. His nose plowed the ground at least a foot when he hit the sand. 243 is enough but I always preferred a 270. This was a heavy, gnarled 9 point with bases bigger than my dad wrist. He weighed 308lbs. We guided a lot of men that shot magnum calibers and most couldn’t shoot them very well. The rancher that I varmint hunted with a lot shot a 6mm Remington and so did his son. I remember their rifles because they were the first ones I’d seen with a glass stock. They had no problems killing anything with the 6mm either. Either rifle you want to shoot will do the job just fine.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332327
07/26/21 11:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,240
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,240 |
Either caliber is just fine. I would be totally comfortable with either one and would choose the one I liked shooting the most.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332417
07/27/21 12:48 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987
Michael W.
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987 |
All 3 will do the job. Take the one you shoot the best at the longer ranges. Maybe use a bullet that is a bit heavier than you would use for white tail.
A clear conscience is often the sign of a fuzzy memory.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332502
07/27/21 01:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658
GusWayne
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658 |
There will be a clear and concise winner on this
.308 dead A center of shoulder is my choice
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332510
07/27/21 01:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,123
TXHOGSLAYER
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 29,123 |
.270 with Core-lokts, the deadliest mushroom in the woods.
LETS GO BRANDON
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: GusWayne]
#8332523
07/27/21 02:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,640
LeonCarr
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,640 |
There will be a clear and concise winner on this
.308 dead A center of shoulder is my choice This.
"Whitetail Deer are extinct because of rifles with telescopes mounted on them." - My 11th Grade English Teacher
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332548
07/27/21 02:39 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,795
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 110,795 |
I use my 30-06, but if I did not have it I would be comfortable using my 270. My first mule deer was taken with a 284 in 1965.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8332617
07/27/21 04:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446
Brother Phil
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 446 |
I suggest using whatever gun feels the best to you. A accurate placed bullet beats a miss every time. If you like both guns, the .270 is bigger, but certainly not excessive. If you make a vital hit, with a quality bullet, I don't think it will matter enough to worry about.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: Jgraider]
#8332631
07/27/21 05:45 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,907
unclebubba
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,907 |
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense.
Did you mean over gunned and under scoped? That would make more sense.
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Re: Mule Deer gun
[Re: unclebubba]
#8332903
07/27/21 03:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,918
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,918 |
Most of the hunters we had in mule deer camp over a 15 year period were over gunned and over scoped, if that makes sense.
Did you mean over gunned and under scoped? That would make more sense. No. A 30-378 Weatherby topped with a 3lb Nightforce comes to mind.
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