Mule Deer Cartridge

[Matt5266]

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.

Really? Why?

 

[Matt5266]

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.

Can you explain why you think the 6.5 isnt good for elk but the 7 is?

 

[csbackcountry]

28 Nosler 3100 fps lol

 

[longrangelead]

6 Creed, fast twist 243...

of your two, 6.5 PRC

The Sauer 100 @EuroOptic has for $550 is probably THE best deal on a good rifle currently.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

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!

@Muley_Addict 317

First off…. Welcome !! Lots of good information to be had here. I’d encourage you to read thru topics that interest you.
I will just say that it’s ok to WANT a new rifle. You may go thru that process a few times to learn.
I recommend getting to a perspective of what do I NEED. This will get you started in the right direction of learning.
It has taking me to the point of selecting my system from a terminal performance perspective forward.
Lots to my process from there. Too much to list here. It’s a Journey & a Fun one !!

You may end up at a point where Want & Need converge, But at least you’ll understand
HOW & WHY.

Feel free to pm me if you like. I enjoy sharing.

HnP2

 

[4weight]

Can you explain why you think the 6.5 isnt good for elk but the 7 is?

I would just want a heavier bullet for a long range shot on a trophy bull, especially in a herd bull situation where you can't close the distance due ot a hundred eyeballs on you. There is a reason Hornady brought out the 7 last in between the 6.5 and 300. It's because it is the better alternative for any big game animal and situation in North America. My 2 cents.

 

[Thehillbillee]

Really? Why?

More velo begets more energy—> more dead.

 

[Taudisio]

More velo begets more energy—> more dead.

Can you explain how more energy means more dead? I ask because I hit a fawn with over 10,000 ft/lbs of energy and it got up and ran away.

 

[Thehillbillee]

Can you explain how more energy means more dead? I ask because I hit a fawn with over 10,000 ft/lbs of energy and it got up and ran away.

Not sure why you’d do that (unless it was your vehicle). Did it die though?

 

[Muley_Addict 317]

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.

Absolutely. I 100% agree I don't need a new rifle. I WANT a new rifle haha. I don't plan on getting rid of my .308. Like you said, it is a great round. The ruger american .308 has definitely helped me learn the fundamentals and it's cheap to shoot which = more time at the range. I also shot my very first buck with it last season.

I just want the sleek new rifle with a nice action chambered in a PRC.

 

[LongWayAround]

Can you explain why you think the 6.5 isnt good for elk but the 7 is?

It's always the "trophy bull" "quartering hard" "at last light on the last day" "in heavy brush."

Definitely not for shooting broadside raghorns...

 

[Flat Range]

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.

Same. Bergara 7prc for me. Used last year to kill my WY mule deer. Hopefully used this year for Elk.

 

[bascott1]

6.5 prc over 7mm prc for sure. If you’re stuck on a PRC it doesn’t beat the good ole 270 win by much. And 270 ammo can be found almost any store that sells ammo. But out of the two 6.5 PRC for sure.

 

[Gravityl7]

I've taken down my fair share of deer with a 130-grain bullet flying at 3060 fps – that ol' cartridge's been doing the job for over a century, don't be thinking it ain't got it no more!

 

[glock233]

6.5 PRC is a better choice unless you are planning on shooting over 900-1000 yards. Which is idiot behavior unless you’re very well trained.

I have both. Both are effective Elk killers. The 6.5 PRC is significantly better for improving accuracy due to the lower recoil.

 

[PrestigeWorldwide]

More velo begets more energy—> more dead.

I’m very much a beginner in the hunting world (just finished my first season last fall), so I don’t want to go outside my depth here. But the research on this website and others seems to suggest lethality is dependent on how many factors and velocity is just one. Velocity with bullet construction not designed for that velocity in tissue can lead to rapid expansion without penetration and you need both to kill the anima of course. I know there’s a ‘minimum’ velocity you need to actually penetrate an animal, but if that just dissolves on impact, then it’s not much use.

 

[glock233]

I’m very much a beginner in the hunting world (just finished my first season last fall), so I don’t want to go outside my depth here. But the research on this website and others seems to suggest lethality is dependent on how many factors and velocity is just one. Velocity with bullet construction not designed for that velocity in tissue can lead to rapid expansion without penetration and you need both to kill the anima of course. I know there’s a ‘minimum’ velocity you need to actually penetrate an animal, but if that just dissolves on impact, then it’s not much use.

The only thing that matters is putting a projectile in the vitals at the range you are shooting. You want to design a system around doing that accurately and quickly. That nearly always means smaller cartridges and rifles rush you are thinking. Recoil and noise are extremely damaging to accuracy. Rifle size is extremely damaging to speed.

Bullets that expand effectively extend your range and may speed death. “Tough” bullets limit your range and may slow death.

Bullet weight retention and energy are meaningless. People fall into the trap of thinking something matters just because it can be calculated.

 

[Whitefox82]

Get the 6.5 prc and then let us know when your ready for your next rifle and cartridge dilemma!