I’ve had those hunters.

The caliber isn’t as much importance to in terms of being overkill but heavy tactical guns with heavy scopes are ridiculous

I've seen this question asked on about 5 different forums over the years. As a group, THF had the most logical consensus answer to this question. We have mulies here in Nebraska and we have whitetails. In some areas you never know who's coming to dinner. We use the same rifles for either species and never look back. Back when I was getting started and still a little recoil sensitive, I dropped to a 2506 and killed a whitetail at 225 yards. It dropped like being struck by Thor's hammer, Wondered then why i had put up with recoil all those years. Guy told me years ago that a 338 Win was as good on deer as anything as long as you shoot them in the boiler room. Shot a whitetail with my 338 in the boilerroom. It probably went 150 yards after the shot but it died and was recovered. No more meat damage than any other caliber. I think bullet placement and type of bullet make much more of the difference. I'm with the group that voted for "shoot what you can shoot accurately".

Take the one that when you pull the trigger you know where that bullet will hit.

Taken a good number of MD with 270 using 130g silver tips, like the 150g ST when I could find them, but the 130's almost always DRT or very close.,


I know many locals up there that use 25-06 for MD as well. As folks said, it matters more on which you're most comfortable and accurate with.

With Western, have taken a lot of MD with 270 and 130 gr Hornady interlocks

This is my favorite. Classic. Flat shooting. Incredibly accurate. Deadly. Drop them at the spot with a high shoulder shot. Just simply works.

I have a Sako 85 Finnlight .270 Win with Sako 156 grain Hammerhead bonded soft points. It shoots flat and has a 100% success rate for me and my boys. I don't even use my 30-06 anymore.

Over the decades, I’ve killed some 250 -270# white tails with a 270 and 130 Nosler BTs.

Took a spike elk in Idaho with .270 130 corelok with lower neck shot at 60 yards. Dropped dead in its tracks.

I’ve shot west Texas muleys with 243 - 300 WM. Last was with 257 Ackley running 100gr Partion a little hotter than a 25-06. Shoot what’s comfortable and put the bullet where it belongs.

Between Gringo and 603, I must be doing something right. Sako 85 Finnlite in a 270 Win. 130 grn Nosler BT’s. Hit them in the boiler room and mostly DRT or shortly thereafter.

Whatever gun you choose, practice as if your life depends on it. Don't just shoot from a bench, but shoot from sticks and other positions so your comfort with the gun equates to success in the field.

Little wrong with a .270.

Either will do, go with the lighter rifle.

Rifles will put on weight over the years, I’ve noticed. They must since they feel heavier as I age. My Dad used to say the same thing. I’d go with the lighter rifle if it’s a useful caliber. I use a light Tikka in 260 these days.

Can’t wait for hunting season.

I know what you mean, I hunt Whitetails these days with 7 1/4 lb Scoped and loaded rifles and would use one of those if I were to hunt Mule Deer again.

I have shot 3 out in the Tran Pecos. 2 with rifle and one with a bow. I thought I needed the ole Weatherby 7 Mag shoulder bruiser with 160 grain. It killed him but not any quicker then my trusty Ruger in 270 with 130 grain.

I would go 270 at a minimum, but that's just me. Mulies even in the Trans Pecos are a bit heavier then WT. Lots of good options now with factory or reloads that will get the job done.

Have the 270&243 iin Savage...
Not inta the technical mombojumbo of cal.
Went with 270 deer rifle, if not mis-staken, 270 tis neckdowned 30-06.
For white tail deer, () over kill, 243 plenty... MN white tail & muleys 270
Was looking @ elk hunts, short distance shooting (ruffly 100yrds) 270 on light side,
From what i hear, reason keep short distance...
Have heard good things about the 25-06 just not familiar...
Just my
cool thread...

I grew up hunting mulies in CO and have taken about 40 of them. Either of the calibers mentioned by the OP that he owns will cleanly take any mule deer that has ever lived. I'd take whichever one fit me best and groups the best and sight it in an 200 yards and go deer hunting.

270 flat shooting accu bond

I took my .270 Win a couple years ago to Colorado and it did the job well. But, that being said, I'm taking my new .264 Win Mag next time.

I hunt mule deer with a 30.06. I've taken three bucks.... all dressed out between 190 - 240. All were taken between 60 - 100 yards. Two dropped and one ran about 25 yards. 165 grain Nosler. One bull elk too. Works for me.

Shot all mine with a 30-30 no issues, all dead.

You can't do that
It says so in the hunting magazines