David Lindler
Well-Known Member
I shoot 168 grain bergers a Standard mag length behind 70 grains of retumbo. Great accuracy and larger exit wounds.. start a 67 grains and work up.
Which caliber for mule deer
- Thread starter Dirtdevil
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westexhunt
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Take the 308, but something to consider is factory ammo in the 7mm. Don't know what your rifle is but my Browning Xbolt has been well under Moa with two factory loads I've tried. I have a hand load dialed in for the rifle and that's what I hunt with but I already know what it will do with common available factory loads should I ever need to use them.
C S Fever
Well-Known Member
Are you going southern or northern. Can really make a difference on your decision of rifle. Your 308 will do the job easily regardless. Big bucks bed down on cold mornings away from the wind facing the sun. Spend your time glassing coulees and hills if it's southern hunting especially first light. Northern check your bush fringes and fence lines. Good luck and if you can whistle if they start trotting away whistle at them, they will stop and turn, a very curious creature. Have fun!
JC in Calif
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Take the .308, you have confidence in it. You will do fine. Now go have a great hunt! Report back after you return.
greenejc
Well-Known Member
Take the 7mm Mag. 3/4 inch to 1 inch is quite adequate for any shot out to 700 or 800 yards but you probably won't have a shot that long, and you need to remember: 'perfect is the enemy of good enough'. A 1 inch group is more than good enough. Don't over think it. Maybe take the .308 as a back up.
MNbogboy
Well-Known Member
That was not one of the cartridges that he listed. As a "long" range cartridge you might have to limit your distance to under 250 yards. I've saw my dad kill a whitetail with one at near 300 but that really doesn't qualify it as a bona fide LR cartridge. I'm sure many have made longer shots but the OP isn't looking for any humor.
Your post is pretty much irrelevant and not very funny.
ofbandg
Well-Known Member
Take the rifle with the shortest length of pull because you are going to have six layers of clothing on. Personally, I would go for the 7 mag and a 160 gr. Mule deer grow big in Alberta. Enjoy the hunt, you will see lots of deer.
All of what you mentioned is more than adequate for Mule deer. The 308 will take any of the deer species in North America with a well placed shot at reasonable ranges. Its more important now for you to be confident with the set up you are shooting and knowing that when that moment of truth arrives you will be ready for it. Don't take a shot you are not ready and 100% confident in making. If you do your job I have not doubt that the rifle will take care of the job at hand. Congrats on the hunt and good luck. Look forward to seeing some pictures. My wife shoots Mule deer with a 6mm Remington, one shot one kill every time. Be confident and have fun. 
Dirtdevil
Well-Known Member
Will be hunting around Pincher Creek. The guys that went on this hunt last year all took their bucks at 300 to 500 yds Wind May be the limiting factor for me But keeping it around 500 or so should may the wind calls doable. Got a lot of good info here as always. Thanks a lot guys
ThorThor
Well-Known Member
308 or 7mm either will do the job. Those Canadian Mule Deer have big bodies I would use something w controlled expansion/bonded bullets. But whatever you shoot best take.
mpayne
Well-Known Member
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Msgt William Toprock
Well-Known Member
I'm an old hunter and the 270 and 308 work fine for me !!
BigHunter1978
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At times, Pincher Creek can be extremely windy anywhere from 50kmh (30mph) to over 100kmh (60mph). There is a ton of great advice in here and I won't say too much more than anyone else but being from around the area:
Plan for wind - Chose the rifle you are most confident in, anticipate wind
Blind vs Walking - Be prepared to shoot off your backpack
Be patient - Someone mentioned whistling, I agree! They spook easily but 90% of them stop running and stand there looking at you. I feel confident you will get a great shot if you wait that couple of extra seconds.
Have fun! It is some beautiful country when you are super close to the mountains.
Plan for wind - Chose the rifle you are most confident in, anticipate wind
Blind vs Walking - Be prepared to shoot off your backpack
Be patient - Someone mentioned whistling, I agree! They spook easily but 90% of them stop running and stand there looking at you. I feel confident you will get a great shot if you wait that couple of extra seconds.
Have fun! It is some beautiful country when you are super close to the mountains.
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Not exactly sure what you even mean here bud, your words make no sense.
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Goes onto a "long range hunting" forum.
Tells a person asking a legitimate question to ditch all his "long range" guns and get a 30-30
Tells said person (again, on a "long range hunting" forum that he signed up for) to be a "real hunter" and get close.
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A person taking these or similar actions is useless on this forum and brings nothing to the table, and is only making poking and prodding comments for either attention, recognition, or out of boredome, and is not neccessary. With 16 messages, your new on this forum. If your here to be helpfull or learn, this forum is very friendly and welcoming. If your here to do things like what you have shown thus far, you will be ignored and disreguarded by everyone and if you take it too far, will be booted from the forum. Free country and it's just a forum, so your choice.
Sorry for the rant everyone. Getting overly tired of ignorant people coming onto this long range hunting forum and telling people to get closer, or saying they aren't real hunters if they shoot long range. It's getting really old, and people like that need to get a life.
