I currently use a .308 for hunting wisconsin whitetails and am happy with it's performance. I am planning a trip out to colorado for a mule deer hunt and was told the .308 was a little underpowered for the task. I can pick up a used ruger m77 in 300 win mag and was wondering if anyone has used this caliber for mulies? Any other favorite calibers for mountain hunting?
2006-08-16 12:18:12 · 10 answers · asked by say910 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
I would like to knowWHO says a .308 is under-powered for anything. I am from Wi as well, If I could find a .308 that is light enough to carry as far as I go in a day that is ALL i would use. As far as Muly's are concerned .308 is perfect. yes there are BIGGER rounds thaat would work, but Take a gun you KNOW
2006-08-16 17:15:30 · answer #1 · answered by Maxwell Smart(ypants) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The .308 Winchester has taken everything from Moose to Whitetail deer. Use the right bullet for the task and make sure your scope is zeroed in with that particular round. Unless your .308 has like a 16" barrel, you'll do fine in Colorado.
My opinion of the .300 Mags ? More power to you! LOL--seriously, they are great if you don't mind the recoil and muzzle blast.
Really, they are a bit big for Mulies, although fine at great distances. A .30-06 would probably serve you better, but get whatever you are comfortable with and can afford to shoot. Magnum ammo is higher priced (this from a guy who uses a .458 Win. Mag. for hog hunting!) Also, I've hearded mixed reports of the Model 77. My opinion is that it is really a fine rifle and those who complain are really complaining about the recoil, which is not the rifle's fault but their choice of caliber.
The Remington 700 is available in the same calibers as the Model 77 and is also a great choice.
H
2006-08-16 23:36:47 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I shoot a 300win mag and it has great ballistics and down range knock down power. 180gr boat tails only drop about 32 inches at 500 yards. However I don't see the need to replace your .308 in order to hunt mule deer. Correct me if I am wrong (open invitation for yahooers to jump all over me) but wasn't the 308 the caliber of choice for snipers in and after WWII? The 308 is an extremely accurate caliber and I have a friend of mine that cleanly downed a bull moose at 300 yards with one. The key to long range accurate shooting with any rifle is practice, good knowledge of your ballistics and properly estimating the distance to the target. A rangefinder will help you judge the distance very accurately then you compensate for the drop of the bullet weight you are using, make sure you have a good steady rest and squeeze your shot off. Don't forget that wind plays a roll in long range shooting also. Save the money on the 300 and by a rangefinder and plenty of ammo and practice some long range shooting. General ballistic charts can be found all over the web, I believe Winchester and Remington's web sites have charts, and they also give estimated wind drift.
2006-08-17 07:50:53 · answer #3 · answered by Barry M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A .308 is jsut fine for anyhting up to Elk and Moose. It's the same bullets as a .300 Win Mag going a couple hundred fps slower. Pick a stout load in Barnes TSX or Ballistic Tips. Mule Deer aren't that tough.
2006-08-16 16:53:05 · answer #4 · answered by Tyler K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First off, if you are mountain hunting, then I imagine weight and rifle length are important factors to you when you consider having to carry it up and down hills and getting into a shooting position. Most rifles, mainly bolt guns, in the 300 Win mag, are long action and heavy. I would recommend a rifle in the 300 WSM, Winchester Short Mag. It delivers ballistics and wound profiles very, very close to the big 300, but in a short action, and lighter rifle. The recoil on the WSM is also considerably less. They have a 270 WSM, but the 300 probably has more knockdown because of a larger bullet. Try to find a factory load using a BarnesX bullet or one of the new Hornady bonded core ballistic tips. Good hunting, hope my opinion helps.
2006-08-16 12:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by OkRifleman 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
308 is plenty
but i do like my 300
2006-08-19 16:45:28 · answer #6 · answered by JOSH B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
44 or 45 mag
2006-08-20 08:58:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
here in texas the 30-30 is an excellent weapon because of all the brush, but the 270 is my favorite...
2006-08-16 12:27:24 · answer #8 · answered by elchavoguapo 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
.308 is just fine! good shot placement and you won't have any trouble.
2006-08-17 04:41:32 · answer #9 · answered by more than a hat rack 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
375 H&H Magnum all the way.
2006-08-17 12:58:35 · answer #10 · answered by boker_magnum 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋