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.

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

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.

270 with accubonds 150grn

270 because of a heavier bullet, and the Chevy.

This is the type thread that could go on forever, at least they have before.

killed one with a 30-06 at a decent range 150yds +

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

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….

280AI

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.

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.

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

Makes a ton of 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.

Either caliber is just fine. I would be totally comfortable with either one and would choose the one I liked shooting the most.

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.

There will be a clear and concise winner on this

.308 dead A center of shoulder is my choice

.270 with Core-lokts, the deadliest mushroom in the woods.

This.

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.

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.

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.