Mule Deer Cartridge

[Muley_Addict 317]

Hi all,

I’ve been thinking long and hard about the next rifle I buy. I started hunting mule deer very recently. Not knowing much of anything related to rifle hunting out west, I went into the store and purchased a .308 Ruger American Gen2.

The rifle shoots…. Okay. I’ve been getting a lot of time on the range with it and have had some good guidance on how to use the .308 and the Ruger to its potential. Nonetheless, I am uninspired. I could of course upgrade that terrible stock and trigger… but I don’t feel like putting money into this gun.

I’ve decided to get a new rifle. Budget isn’t very large, but with what I hear about Tikka rifles, I’m thinking I’ll be okay. I love the way a tikka action feels, so Tikka it is.

I’m stuck on what caliber to pick. My two preferences are between a 6.5 PRC and a 7 PRC. Im here wanting to know people’s opinions. To help inform your opinion, I’ll be hunting mule deer in CO, where I live.

Thanks in advance,
GC

 

[Taudisio]

Hi all,

I’ve been thinking long and hard about the next rifle I buy. I started hunting mule deer very recently. Not knowing much of anything related to rifle hunting out west, I went into the store and purchased a .308 Ruger American Gen2.

The rifle shoots…. Okay. I’ve been getting a lot of time on the range with it and have had some good guidance on how to use the .308 and the Ruger to its potential. Nonetheless, I am uninspired. I could of course upgrade that terrible stock and trigger… but I don’t feel like putting money into this gun.

I’ve decided to get a new rifle. Budget isn’t very large, but with what I hear about Tikka rifles, I’m thinking I’ll be okay. I love the way a tikka action feels, so Tikka it is.

I’m stuck on what caliber to pick. My two preferences are between a 6.5 PRC and a 7 PRC. Im here wanting to know people’s opinions. To help inform your opinion, I’ll be hunting mule deer in CO, where I live.

Thanks in advance,
GC

Out of your two calibers you want, I’d pick the 6.5 prc, 7 days a week.

Your 308 is a fine cartridge choice though. I have 3, gen 2, Americans. All 3 have a Timney trigger.

 

[Muley_Addict 317]

Out of your two calibers you want, I’d pick the 6.5 prc, 7 days a week.

Your 308 is a fine cartridge choice though. I have 3, gen 2, Americans. All 3 have a Timney trigger.

No doubt that the .308 is a great cartridge. I don’t mean to throw hate on the .308 or the ruger. I’m just a sucker for a good looking cartridge and a smooth action. The action on the ruger is pretty rough in my opinion. Every time I go to cycle the action, it moves my scope off target.

I know, I’m very nitpicky. But I’m just looking an excuse to get a PRC. Thanks for the rec!

 

[Pistolpete28]

6.5 prc, but a 6.5 creed will probably handle the job just aswell with less recoil.

 

[graniteghost]

I’d go 6.5 prc. You really aren’t losing much stepping down to it. And gaining a little more shootability. I have a 7prc and while I love the gun, sometimes wish I had gotten the 6.5 instead. I’m primarily a mule deer hunter as well.

 

[Taudisio]

No doubt that the .308 is a great cartridge. I don’t mean to throw hate on the .308 or the ruger. I’m just a sucker for a good looking cartridge and a smooth action. The action on the ruger is pretty rough in my opinion. Every time I go to cycle the action, it moves my scope off target.

I know, I’m very nitpicky. But I’m just looking an excuse to get a PRC. Thanks for the rec!

I get that. Tikkas are fantastic rifles and always smooth. Good luck on your rifle search!

 

[glock233]

Read the big threads on calibers here. For your use case, my choices would be 22 creed or 6 creed for up to 800 yards. 6.5 PRC if you need to stretch to 1000 yards.

The 7 PRC doesn’t add anything to your use case except extremely long range shots you won’t be taking.

 

[Cherokeeguide]

My opinion is that you don't need a new rifle.

An uncle of mine piled up a impressive number of mule deer tags with a Remington 740 in .308 Winchester.

Whatever you don't like about your Ruger can probably be corrected / changed for less than the cost of a new TIKKA.


On paper, the difference between cartridges seems vast. In the real world, they all pretty much do the same thing on deer.

From 1985 to 2015, I filled 21 mule deer tags with the pipsqueak .250 Savage, made even more of a weakling by being fired from the 20" barrel of my Ruger M77RL Ultralight. My current 5.56 NATO hunting load has more energy at 200 to 300 yards and beyond, yet I never had to shoot an animal more than once with it. I also tagged to caribou with it and one bull elk.

A .308 Winchester will kill mule deer stone-cold dead beyond 400 yards. There is no such thing as deader than dead. None of the cartridges on your short list will kill mule deer deader than a .308 Winchester will.

 

[GuyMontag42]

Why do you feel the need for a prc?

Colorado is not the land of dangerous beasts.

If you’re shooting at distance where the caliber matters, I hope your focus is more regarding placement.

If the fps between 6.5cm and 6.5prc is the deciding factor, it shouldn’t be.

 

[22rave]

25-06, 6.5 PRC, 280AI, 280, 6.5-284 Norma, 308, 270. Depending on range too. According to your preference, the 6.5prc would be great foe you.

 

[B Harrison]

A 130 grain bullet at 3060 fps has been killing deer for over 100 years now.
Don’t be afraid of a plain cartridges.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EdP]

I would go with a .270 Win or .280AI for the better barrel life than a PRC.

 

[Nicaburns]

Of your choices, 6.5 prc any day, all day for mule deer.

 

[BluMtn]

6.5PRC. Buy it, enjoy shooting it and have fun. It's your choice. If a couple years down the road you want something different, either sell the 6.5 and buy another or do what the majority of us do and just buy another rifle to try and add it to the collection.

Technically, all anybody really needs is a 30-06 and we would be set for life, but how boring would that be.

 

[chizelhead]

Of the 2, 6.5 PRC for sure. I would think about what barrel length you want. I recommend targeting 18-20" assuming you'll suppress it.

 

[Wapiti151]

6.5prc for deer out of those two, 7 is too much and you’ll shoot the 6.5 a lot more. Agree above on 18-20”. I know tikka has come out with a lot of shorter barrels lately, and I believe most if not all are threaded now? Not sure about 6.5 barrel lengths specifically.

 

[Chris in TN]

Has anyone mentioned a fast twist .243 yet?

 

[Rich M]

Want a new gun, have at it. Nothing wrong with a 6.5 something or other. Life too short to shoot a .308!

I bought a Gen 2 Predator in 243, think it is a 9 twist. Shoots 100 gr bullets nicely. Trigger is fine. Stock isn't my fav but thing shoots tight.

 

[Thehillbillee]

I’d go 6.5 prc over 7 prc, especially for mule deer. I’ve been using a 6.5 cm the last few years and am very happy with how dead it kills em. The prc should kill them even deader.

 

[4weight]

Most here for Muley's are saying the 6.5 PRC and that is an awesome choice. I went with the 7 PRC in case I ever want to shoot an Elk. You really can't go wrong with either. I will say that the 7 with a muzzle brake and recoil pad has less recoil than my old trusty 270.