Mule Deer Cartridge

[grizz19]

Between those 2 Id lean 6.5. My buddy has one and it’s laid to waste everything he’s pointed it at. I just put together a 25 creed on a tikka action and I freakin love it. I’m a big quarter bore fan. The new lead bullets they are coming out with for the 25’s have some fantastic bc’s for the weight and recoil is minimal. That being said I’m a Cali guy so I have to shoot non lead and I’ve had great luck with them. A couple companies have came out with some good higher bc mono bullets the last couple years as well.

I have a 7PRC I’d sell you if you decide to go that route though

 

[brandonlowe17]

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

Both great rounds, so many different options. Ive been dropping elk and deer with 7saum
Good luck

 

[Thehillbillee]

I was being facetious with my earlier comment about one cartridge leaving an animal “deader” than another. Dead is dead. These cartridge debates are silly. One side swears you must use small because you can inherently shoot them more accurately. The other side swears you need big because they have more energy. In reality, rifle cartridges are like women: nearly all of them will do the job, but each of us has different preferences about the one we like best. Just pick the one you like best, spend a lot of time gettin to know it, and you’ll be successful (and happy).

 

[TradLife406]

22 creed if legal. 6 if not. 6 UM if you really want extra hate.
Really no need for anything over 6mm.

 

[MarkOrtiz]

If I was in the market for a new mule deer rifle I would be looking at the 6.5 PRC or I would probably get a 25 Creedmoor. I can't really see the need to replace my 270 win though right now.

 

[stevevan]

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

270 all day long. No need to reinvent the wheel.

 

[dsotm]

Any legal centerfire

 

[NDHUNTER24]

Spend money on some ammo, practice a lot, and just shoot the 308. Unless you want to burn money. If thats the case 6.5PRC of those two choices. I'd throw in 6CM or 6.5CM as other options.

 

[HilltopHitman]

You can kill a deer with 223 TMK or 338 TSX. Quit over thinking it. Grab a rifle you shoot well. Thats important.

 

[bigmoose]

I'm old school. I would go with a Tikka 7mm Rem mag. first choice. Use 160 gr. or 175 gr. premium bullets (Accubonds, partitions etc.). You will never regret it hunting those big Colorado bucks. A 7 prc or 280 Improved would do it but you can find 7mm Rem mag ammo most everywhere. Just my thought.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Been using my Ruger M77 (tang safety) in 25-06 for over 50 years. Done the job for me. My go to gun for deer & antelope till I die.

 

[WI_DOc]

From a caliber perspective your .308 will do just fine, I hunted for 20+ years with .308 out to around 350yd up to bear with a 6x scope, but the chambering issues with Ruger Americans does cause concern for screwing up a hunt. Wouldn’t be unreasonable to upgrade to Tikka.

My setup for mulies this year will be a 6.5 PRC Tikka I got last year. It is a dream to shoot suppressed. Currently getting it chopped to 18” and figure that will be my “do-all”. But .308 remains a great choice for cheap ammo, acceptable recoil, and consistent killing performance.