Zachary and others....mule deer rifle

[Buckfever]

Well I have reached the opinion that what I want is a Cooper 52 in a .270.   However is it what I really need for a carry, climb, crawl, and maybe scabbard on a horse hunt for mule deer?   So for now I guess I need to deal with what I need and that maybe the same caliber but probably a firearm able to withstand the elements and not have me concerned about a scratch or two.  I will have to feel confident with 200yds. to 350yds shots if presented.  I have a 30-06 in a T3 Tikka however I would like to have a little flatter shooting caliber without a major recoil to deal with (300 Magnum).    Thoughts?   By the way I still really would like to have that 52 Cooper but for now I think I will get a Blue Collar Long Distance Banger but someday that Cooper 52 will grace my gun cabinet, maybe!  Haven't thought of how I will tell my wife not that she wouldn't be happy it just means I might have to endure some furniture shopping.  Financially painful.  I must strive to be a better person.

Any ideas, firearm, caliber, make and model.  I have learned to reload so I will be able to dial things in.
 Thanks to all for the Help!
  Buckfever

[Graybeard]

Mine is a Rem. 700 LSS Mtn. Rifle in .270 Winchester with a Leupold 3-9 scope. Metal is SS and stock is laminated wood to be tough and weather resistant but still have the warmth and quietness of wood. But out in the "real world" you're kidding yourself if you think it's gonna be flatter shooting or lighter kicking that your '06. If you use 150s such as a Nosler BT or Accubond or Hornady SST or Interbond or a Swift Scirrco your trajectory should be within an inch or two of the .270 to 400 yards and unless someone told you which gun you shot you'd never know if blindfolded regarding recoil.

If you want a new gun buy it but don't pretend it's because you need it for either reason. Just wanting a new one is all the reason needed.

[lilabner]

I would stick with the .270 Winchester and 130 gr. bullets. If you handload you will be able to get close to 3200 fps out of a 24 inch barrel. Magnum trajectory at a very comfortable recoil level. Very flat shooting, good downrange energy.  I like the Weatherby Vanguard in stainless steel with synthetic stock. Good foul weather rifle, good shooter, a 24 inch barrel.

[flintlock]

Dang...As I was reading your post, I was thinking exactly what Graybeard said...I would add a couple of points...I don't know how high you sight in at 100 yards, but around here most guys sight in an inch high or so at 100 yards...I sight in about 3 inches high at 100, much of my hunting is over crop fields and a 300 yards shot is a real possibility...Work up a good load for the '06, use a bullet with a high BC...then sight in 3-4 inches high at 100 (this should be about right as the average mule deer is larger than the average whitetail)....Get a laser rangefinder and go out and shoot out to 350 yards...I have found with my setup that I'm only about 3 inches low at 300 and the laser rangefinder gives me more confidence to shoot out to that range....By sighting in higher than most hunters, you are maximizing the trajectory of your rifle...

You could order target turrets for your scope that are calibrated for the load that you shoot and then simply dial in the scope, but I find that as long as the drop is no more than 6-8 inches, I can just holdover and get the same results...

[7x57mm]

Buckfever: You might want to take a look at the American Hunting Rifle. Just Google that name and you will find some sites. They offer a CZ 550 Classic model that looks like it would fill your bill, without the infamous CZ 550 American weight. It uses the CZ 550 action as a base, a different barrel and a proprietary stock. You can also get proprietary cartridges in addition to standard calibers. I would stay with the .270 Winchester as it is a great cartridge. AHR also offers a the classic in 7x57mm as well, according to the internet site. Have a great day. Tom Purdom

[safetysheriff]

If you use 150s such as a Nosler BT or Accubond or Hornady SST or Interbond or a Swift Scirrco your trajectory should be within an inch or two of the .270 to 400 yards and unless someone told you which gun you shot you'd never know if blindfolded regarding recoil.

If you want a new gun buy it but don't pretend it's because you need it for either reason. Just wanting a new one is all the reason needed.

i just can't help liking the lesser recoil that i do seem to perceive with my .270's as opposed to my .30-06 and my .308.   not in the field, mind you, but at the bench where i do most of my shooting.   i'm reasonably certain that in the field, with a deer in my scope, neither caliber would make a difference to my recognition, however.   i'd be thinking about venision and not recoil! 

i admit that i bought my first .270 to help a friend who wanted the $$$ to buy a 7mm Rem' Mag'.   i got a  Model 77 Mk II All Weather for less than $385 just about 5 years ago in that deal.   it was Not a caliber i wanted; but it really awakened me to the difference in recoil between calibers from a bench.    so....if you like 'busting caps' at a bench then go with the .270, i'd say.   if shooting like that doesn't matter to you, then you may want to go with the .30-06.

good hunting to you,

ss' 

[beemanbeme]

Remington Classic in .280 (or the mountain rifle, same cartridge)  That's the rifle the .270 wisht it were.  Even the 7-08 will match up against the .270.
Your 30-06 will give you everything you need but, as I say, never pass up a chance to buy another rifle.

[Slamfire]

Sighted 3" high at 100 yards the .270 will give you 50 yards greater PBR, and do it with less recoil. 130 grain bullets have been killin' elk and moose since 1927, and are still popular enough you can find them darned near everywhere.

[Zachary]

Buckfever,

Sorry for the late reply but we have had computer problems.

I have to agree with GB and others that in the real world, you really won't notice much of a difference between a 270/130gr and a .30-06/150gr.  Your Tikka is a fine rifle - no questions asked, and the .30-06 cartridge is a great cartrdige.  Even though mule deer are not big as elk, they are certainly larger than whitetails (or at least as big as the northern monsters).  As such, I would like to have at least a 150 grain bullet on mule deer at shots over 200 yards - even on well placed shots.  If you are talking about 350 yards, then I really advocate the 150 grainers.

I know that recoil is an issue, but I find the 7mm Rem Mag to be an awesome longer range cartridge.  The 7mag has a bit more recoil than the .30-06, but I find it to hit with more authority.

Keep in mind that I have nothing against the .270 winchester.  Heck, I own a couple of them.  If you really want a .270, AND shoot 130 grainers, then I would alternatively suggest you shooting super premium bullets like the barnes-X or new TSX.

As for the gun itself, honestly, if you are going to put it through some abuse, then forget about the Cooper.  While it's a great rifle, I would hate to see it scuffed a lot for you- which it will.   As such, I would go back and recommend what you have, the Tikka T3.  Given that it has a one size fits all action (all long), then the .270 will be just fine.

Other than that, I also recommend the Remington, but not necessarily the new, new ones.  See if you can find a BDL SS.  I own several of them and I love them almost as much as my Tikkas.

Zachary

[charles p]

No one has mentioned the 280 Ackley Improved.  Mine is a heavy custom gun with a 26 inch barrel.  It is not something I wish to carry in the mountains but it is great for sitting and watching.  It is a lot of rifle for the recoil sensitive.  My best deer class cartridge with a light recoil is my the 7mm-08.  It is a Rem LVSF.  I also have 25-06, 270, 280, 30-06 and 300 WSM but I leave them all in the closet when a lot of walking is expected.  The majority of my deer hunting is in the east, and from elevated stands, but I go out west once a year, thus the WSM.  If I was a one-gun man, it would be the 7mm-08.

[Ahab]

Yah, the 7mm08 is the way to go, got one in the Ruger Lightweight with a 3x9 Zeiss Conquest. To d my favorite walk around. And Iv'e got em all.

[Slamfire]

I was born and raised in the East, lived in the West for 33 years, and am now back East, retired, for 12 years. I don't see much difference between mule deer and whitetail, sizewise, if they live in similar climates. I've hunted in the Yukon, and down along the Mexican border, and I've never seen a deer that couldn't be killed dead, dead, dead, with good hits with 120 grain bullets from a .260 Remington. If you want to use bullets that weigh more, or have a larger diameter, that is your choice, but it is by no means necessary. 

[jmckinley]

  I was pondering this subject and have settles on one of 2 calibers and rifles. My 1st choice is a Weatherby Vanguard Sporter in 270Win with a 130 gr. Winchester 
BST with a Mueller 3-10x44 and the other caliber same scope is the Vanguard in 257 Weatherby or 25-06. The 25-06 is my first choice because i am not a handloader. I may consider a Handi Rifle with the Mueller in 25-06 as well. That's 3 calibers but the 270 and 25-06 are really 1-2 on my list. I really don't care for tupperware stocks. Wood is heavier but so be it i think I can handle an extra pound........I not that ole and feble yet!!!   Jess

[poncaguy]

My favorite would be my $400 Wnchester Super Shadow in 270 WSM, mild recoil in that rifle and really flat shooting, but it has a long barrel.For shorter barreled rifles, 7-08 and 308 would be great.