Here We Go Again! I need to build a Mule Deer Rifle

[HandgunHTR]

Another vote for the 7-08. I have been hunting deer with that round for 25 years, both in bolt rifles and in single shot handguns.

For 400 yard shots, there is no need to go with anything heavier than 140 grain bullets. If you can get the Nosler to shoot in it, then the 140 BTs for practice and the 140 Accubonds for hunting are the ticket. If not, then the 139 grain Hornady SSTs are bad medicine on deer.

My current 7-08 is of the AI persuasion and I shoot 150 grain ABLRs in it as I like to stretch my max distance to 600 yards.

 

[Boatninja]

25 prc using any of the bullets offered in the 130 range...from berger to hammers, all will kill deer out to 800 yds with little recoil....

Now that's one Iwill look into.

 

[Boatninja]

I own and use many of the recommended offerings. I'd be comfortable with any of them. Having said that, in recent years, the 270wsm has become my go to deer rifle shooting 140 Accubonds at 3200. It just works. Just my 0.02.

270 wsm has been running through my mind. That is one cartridge that I know nothing about. Thank's

 

[FullCurl8]

You already have the rifle you're describing. The 6 creed will handle all deer sized game very well to 400 yards. Some factory ammo is available but a large selection of bullets are available for handloading. If elk is in the mix it would be hard to pass up a 7mm-08 or 308 given your criteria.

Elk with a 7 odd 8? Better be dead on in the engine room Every Single time with that caliber or you will be searching for a lot of wounded elk.

 

[hnts4fun]

A very good Deer Rifle is naturally an accurate Target Rifle. What you can have among the absolute best in the bang for the buck aka budget group of bolt guns for deer rifle in the Ruger American Standard.

 

[ARlife4me]

If you want recoil light ad possible in any cartridge use the lightest bullet with the fastest burning powder. You get less muzzle pressure as that's the recoil cause.

 

[ARlife4me]

Elk with a 7 odd 8? Better be dead on in the engine room Every Single time with that caliber or you will be searching for a lot of wounded elk.

A friend of mine uses and used that cartridge on all of his elk kills. He limited himself to 400 yards. The barrel was either a 16.5 ir 18.5"?

 

[FullCurl8]

6.5PRC would do you well on mule deer. It will work very efficiently out to 400yds and well beyond. Took this muley doe with 143eldx bullets at 3025fps at the muzzle. DRT.

Just a question, wouldn't shouldering a doe at 400, or any range, be hard on meat?

 

[wilkup]

Slipped on iced up running board getting out of Jacked up truck, landed on top of gun, bolt open, magazine in hand, in the rocks, barrel full of snow, two broken ribs.
I was the only person there that wasn't shooting something that ended in Magnum. I had brought the 6 Creed on the off chance a varmint hunt was possible.

Where is this mulie hunt? I can't believe someone would consider the 6 Creedmoor too small for deer and find it strange everyone brought magnums if shots are inside 400 yards. Maybe you could convince me for the giant whitetails of Saskatchewan, but mulies… come on.

 

[Rflshootr]

Since you're working with a short action,
243 Win (fast twist), 260 Rem, 7mm-08. I personally would not have a problem with shooting a deer at 400 yards with a 6mm 95 or 105 VLD out of a 243 Win. They aren't armor plated.
Consider powder consumption and bullet prices (heavier generally costs more) and performance needed. Keep the barrel at 24" or more. Any of these will be fine for 400 yards.
Look for component availability first, Lapua brass, then use the KISS method.

 

[Boatninja]

Since you have a 6 creed (which is the answer btw), 22 creed? Factory ammunition will be available next year.

I have perfect confidence that under reasonable conditions I can hit at point of aim with my 6Cr out to 600yds. It is one of those wicked accurate rifles that is boring, it does have a 16.5" barrel though. I'm really probably looking for confirmation on that one. All my Bud's wanted to loan me whatever Magnum they were shooting.
Due to spine injuries I reduced my stable to less powerful rifles. I need/want one rifle to shoot a slightly larger bullet, and then there ARE the three empty actions I have just sitting in the safe wanting a barrel......

 

[FullCurl8]

Based on your criteria I say go 7-08. There's definitely factory ammo around, but you can hand load it and really make it shine. I was looking at Hodgdon load data for the 7-08 and it looks like with Staball 6.5 you can push the 162 Hornady eld x and m to 2800 in a 24 in barrel. Shooting it at 2700 fps at my elevation of 4500 ft gives you 1800 fps at 800 with 1200 ftlbs of energy with the m. The x is at 1793 fps and 1150 ftlbs. So both are stellar for deer to much farther than your stated distances. I wouldn't hesitate to use a 162 eld m on a deer. Took my elk this year with the 162 eld m from my 7 Mag and it was traveling roughly 2700 on impact. Did it a fantastic job. 7-08 gets my nod for low recoil potent round. Plus in my mind its not as common as others so it gets cool factor.

An eld out of a 7mag is a fine choice, probably even an STW, but a 7-08 for elk? Not sure it would have the energy elk need. Some folks mention .22 caliber projectiles but where I am in the West you can't big game hunt with under a .243 dia bullet.

 

[Allen Lone wolf]

Just a question, wouldn't shouldering a doe at 400, or any range, be hard on meat?

Obviously

 

[Rflshootr]

The OP never said anything about elk....he is deer hunting.......plus he is working with a short action and wants LESS recoil, not more......here we go again!
Why does the train keep coming off the tracks around here?