If you didn't have a deer rifle...

W

wallhanger

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Which caliber would you choose? Assume you don't already own a rifle, and you're planning on getting the ultimate mule deer rig. What caliber would you buy, what make, and what scope? Let's keep the whole set up to around $1100. I have a friend making this very decision as we speak. He's asked me for advice, and I have my opinions, but let's hear from some of you guys who've killed more deer than I have.

By the way, I know there have been topics like this before, but they usually turn into a my '06 is better than your 7 MAG post. Try to look at it without any bias.

thanks,

WH
 
I asume we are talking muleys not whitetails. I would probally go with the new (winchester)300 WSM or the (remington) 300 SAUM both are the same balistically just depends on which gun fits your buddy better the win or rem, I would go rem personally. IMHO, and I would go with a leupold at least vari X II, III if possible. and I would probally go 3-10 or 4x12. The total price should not exceed 1100.00 Just my opinion. Good luck Bill

FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU! Walk soft and carry a 300 RUM,
 
I have a Winchester Model 70 w/ 3X9 leopold in 300 WSM for mule deer and bigger. I reload 165 grain hollow point. It is great.
I have a 22-250 M77 Ruger for Texas Hunting: whitetail,hogs,turkey, varmits. I buy Winchester 45 grain hollow point (4000fps).
Ballistics are near the same for both rifles at 300 yards then the 300 WSM pulls away. I really like them both.
 
Well, What I did was factor in that I would also be hunting Elk as well as Muleys. I hunt in Eastern OR and although I don't like to take shots that are beyond a couple of hundred yards I wanted a rifle that would be accurate beyond that. I have used a 7mm Mag in the past and I think that it is a great choice but when I went out and bought a brand new set up to call my own, I went with a Browning Medallion in .300 Winchester Mag. I put a Leupold 3.5-10x40mm Vari-X III on top using Leupy's rings and STD 2pc mounts. The entire setup cost me 969.00. Probably not the cheapest that I could have found it but I got exactly what I was looking for. A gun that is more accurate then I could ever be and optics that gather good light at dusk and dawn while providing great clarity. The best deer rifle/caliber is the one that looks and feels good in your hands only. Every hunter is different why shouldn't the rifles they carry be? Good Luck to your buddy!
 
Here is another vote for the .300 Win Mag. I mounted a Leupold Vari-X II 4.5x14 on it and I LOVE the gun. I'm shooting 165gr bullets because they held the tightest group for me and I wouldn't change a thing.

NvrEnuf
 
.270 or .300 Win mag with a 3x9 Zeiss.
Now I will be hunting with a smokepole Omega .50 though.
Best,
Jerry
 
i think i'd go with either the 7mm or 300wsm in a stainless winchester. with a 3-9 leupold vxII or nikon monarch sitting on top.



__________________________________________________________________
There are three reasons to own a gun. To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face. -- Krusty the Clown
 
I have a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5X10X40 matte, that Iv'e had on a rifle for about a month (bought it new in Feb.) and I want to sell it. $325.00 + shipping and I'll throw in a set of Warne Maxima QR Rings. [email protected]
 
A .300 WSM due to it's overall usefullness and accuracy topped with Zeiss glass. The Conquest line can be reasonable. Check out the Howa brand. Affordable and accurate.
 
i'd go to a gunshow and buy a real good, used, pre 64 model 70 standard weight or westerner in an apropriate caliber. .270, '06, .264 mag., maybe a .300. something like that. one that ain't all beat up and has a good barrel. they're there. just have a to look a little. then i'd buy a 3.5x10x40 varixIII and slap that on top. maybe put a nice kickpad on it. dang, i just described what i've been using for 25 years. but i'm real serious. you guys would chunk all them fancy guns in a lake after you got used to a model 70. they're a little heavy, but they can't be equaled by anything currently produced. and these calibers will do anything all those super sawed off wanker calibers will do out to realistic mule deer ranges. if you can't get within 400 yards of a muley, you need to take up whitetail huntin' over a cornflinger.
 
270 weatherby mag with a Zeiss 6x.......It won't come in under 1100 dollars but that is my ultimate hunting rifle and scope.
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-29-04 AT 02:15PM (MST)[p]I did this a few years ago and this is what I went with, A Remington Mountain rifle, 270 cal. Detachable Magazine with a Leupold 3-9x40. Its accurate and nice and light to pack around the mountains. I think rifle was right around 500-550 bucks and couple hundred for the scope. Hasnt let me down yet.
 
Thanks for all your input guys. Sounds like a lot of you like the .30 calibers for deer. The versatility to go after something bigger is a definite plus. On paper, I like the .270 WSM a lot. What do you guys think of this caliber? Seems to compare energy-wise with the 7 mags. Keep the ideas coming.

WH
 
i would go with some kind of 270 i really like mine. It shoots long and flat and it gets the job done.
 
I hunted mule deer with a 7mag for 20 years. I cant think of a hunt where I was under powered. I would like to get a 30 short mag. But if your going after deer the 7 is fine. I have put leopold v-2 scopes on a few rifle's with no problems. Good luck & get what YOU want and not what someone else tells you to get. Ken
 
my 7 mag has killed every animal I have ever shot,22 years later,it still shoots as good as the day I bought it. Leopold scope.
 
7 STW Winchester model 70 topped with a Leupold 4.5x14 reach out and touch something!
 
Browning A-bolt II stalker in 300 WSM, Dura touch Stock with Christenson Arms barrel, topped with Leupold solid base and 3-5x10x40 matte finish scope.
With out that barrel it will come in under 1100.00 bones.
 
"Retiring should be upfront-then at about age 40 get a job and pay back Social Security! Think about it!"

Winchester model 70
DOCTER OPTIC Rifle Scope 3-9 X 40
Caliber 30-06

with this combo you can put the meat in the freezer everytime

sure there are plenty of new calibers out there
"why fix it if it ain't broke"

19hShire.jpg
 
Oldridgerunner, what the he11 is that little feller at the bottom of you post doing looking into my computer? STRANGE! :)

NvrEnuf
 
I'm not sure what he is doing but he got mine wrong. As far as the rifle and scope go, I'd have to go with a 7mm and a Zeiss Conquest series scope.
 
Not saying it is for everyone, but the .300 Ultra with a Leupold does some interesting things. mtmuley
 
I can't think of a better match for Muley's than the .270 WSM. Can be had in a nice light rifle without the recoil of the 30's, which are awesome as well. Good bullet selection and will also be able to be used on elk, moose, and pretty much anything in ourneck of the woods with the exception of Grizzlies and Brown bears. If deer only then the .257 WSSM would also be great when used with appropriate bullets.
 
Something like this should work well...A Winchester Model 70, 22 inch barrel, all metal in a satin finish, synthetic or laminate stock in a color pleasing to your eye, a recoil absorbing pad like a Sims or a Decelerator and a neoprene sling in quiet swivels. Top it with a Leupold 6X42MM in a matte finish with Leupold rings & bases. If you shoot factory ammo, the Federal Premium with the Sierra 130 grain boattail shoots really well in every .270 I've ever handled, as has the Winchester Supreme with the 140 Fail Safe bullet. This rig ought to kill any muley that ever lived, assuming you do your part when hunkered down behind it with your finger on the trigger.
Good Luck to your buddy!
 
about the gunshow, i was at a gunshow in december, there was this old old old lady there she had three items, a win pre 64 mod 70. a Glock 22, and a Weatherby Vanguard (OLD and beat up) with like a nice(hahahha) Tasco on it. all of the guns were in pretty bad shape and she wanted 1,200 for the weatherby, 800 for the win and 600 for the glock, i offered her 75 for the win and she said shed hold it for me till i got the rest of the money! i swear this lady was on crack, she was selling the used glock for 145 dollars more than two people were sellin BRAND NEW ONES!!!! the only thing about a gun show is theres no warranty and what happens if u take it out the next day and it dont shoot at all? then ur out 300 dollars or u gotta put 300 more into it to get it working. i personally wont buy from a gun show
casey
 
I think a model Rem. model 700 mt. rifle in 30-06. You just can't ignore the wide variety of bullet weights and shapes available in the .30 compared to .270 and 7mm. Definitely a Leupold.

Mark

"When there's lead in the air, there's hope."
 
My cousin is an awesome gunsmith and is now in the process of custom-making my dream deer rifle- a 6.5x284. Top it with a great leupold and it will be a beauty. Gonna cost more than 1100, but will be better than anything off the shelf. total weight estimated at 6.5 lbs. with scope.
 
If I'm elk hunting I want my 300 ultra mag. But this last year I got a Browning A-bolt hunter in 270 WSM topped with a leupold 3.5-10x40. This gun is a pleasure to shoot and carry. It is very accurate and the trajectery isn't that far off of the ultra mag. It will lack the ultra mags energy though. (still has lots) I killed a CA deer and one in Idaho with it this year and had no problems.I've always owned Remington rifles, but I think the Browning is the best bang for the buck. This rifle has made a believer of me.
 
I would like to throw another vote in for the 280Rem. I would load it with 150gr Nosler BT or even the Partitions. Out to 400 yrds you should have no problem at all. Rifle would be a Remington BLD or I have seen some Sig bolt rifles in the Shootgun New that look good enought to try (priced right around $450.00). I would top it all off with a Leupold or a Burris (I like the idea behind the Ballostic Plex) in 3-9x40 or a 3.5-10x50. I would ajust the trigger down to about 3-3.5 lbs and get a good recoil pad on it and shoot, shoot, shoot. Shoot from the bench. Shoot in the forest. Shoot at different ranges. After about 150-200 round he would love this rifle and shoot it well. Good Luck Jovan
 
I bought a new Browning 300 WSM and put a Bushnell 3-9X50 on it and it shoots like a dream. The Bushnell really did a great job with it's rainguard in the snow this last year and was really clear. But again the rifle really shoots well and is very accurate. Gotta get me another Browning !
 
300 WIN MAG. in Winchester, with a good 6 to 18 power variable scope, with leapold mounts.
A great deer, elk, antilope, bear, & moose gun.
 
Elkmaster:

In most cases I use a 160gr nosler partition. Seems to work the best out of my rifles.


Chuck
 
.270 Gibbs (Wildcat cartridge) - 130 gr. bullet up to 3500 fps on a pre-64 action. Or .257 Wby.
 
30/30 and take more days off from work, better knees, real pair of binoculars,good shoes,more day's scouting early in the season.

did i mention better knees?
 

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