Final mule deer hunting rifle choices

[Greg Nolan]

After hearing from many of you the unanimous choice seems to be the 280 Rem. with the 270 Wby. as backup.
I have to say I'm surprised because I know there are a lot of magnum types on the forum but even they seem to think the 280 is up to the task.
It's hard to think of hunting without some kind of RUM involved. (Withdrawls) :roll: Based on all imputs I'm going with the consensus of opinion and taking the rifles to the range tomorrow to start the 200 yd zero and asap I'll start the 300 and 400 yd. verification sighting.
I got on the Nikon and Swarovski sites to use their balistic programs and they are COOL. If you've never used them they are real easy and can save days of initial calculations on the BDCs of their scopes. I still have to verify the actual trajectories but they are helpful in deciding Zero distance to match their scope's reticles. The 280 has the 4-12x50 Swaro. and the 270 Wby. has a 4.5-14x40 Nikon Buckmaster.
You know, besides the power factor for the mule deer I'm also a scope power junkie and am used to at least 20 power for long range and limiting the rifles to 12 and 14 power is also causing withdrawls. I started shooting a 8mm mauser with a 4x military scope with brass shims and it worked great and killed several deer. Why do I feel I need a 300 RUM with a 6-24x44 scope to do the same thing? Anyway here are the rifles and I'll keep you all posted on how the sight in and hunt in October works out.
Thanks for all your help
GregView attachment 270 wby ULW & 280 Wby ULW 002.JPG

 

[DrMike]

My .280 has taken mule deer and whitetail on a virtual annual basis for quite a few years. I shoot 140 or 139 grain loads in my own rifles; they give me excellent accuracy and more than sufficient knock down power to drop deer right smartly. I do like the .280. I should think that you will tag out with those rifles.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have never seen a deer of any species or size that can not be killed DRT with either a .270 Bee or .280 Rem at any practical range. Actually, I have killed many to 425 yards with the .270 Win, no magnum and 130 gr Partition bullets.

 

[Africa Huntress]

The 280 caliber and nosler ammo better be all that it is billed to be or I have just spent a bunch of money on equipment that will not seal the deal when the time comes. I will take my faithful 7 x 57 and some swifts with me --just in case. But from all indications so far, I have nothing to worry about.

Greg, very nice rifles and best of luck to you on your hunt. A little funny aside. I ask a friend once if he put up the sheet so the rifle would show better in the picture and he said no, he just didnt want everybody to see how messy he was LOL

Charlie, in ref to your daughter comment on a different thread--you are spot on sir!

 

[Guy Miner]

.280 up to the task?

Greg - I haven't shot a mule deer with anything bigger than a 115 gr .257" bullet in quite a few years, and have taken them from 20 - 400 yards with that .25-06 rifle. All dropped at the shot. One required a finisher a few years ago. Because I'd been shooting from above him, he was down with a broken spine, but not out.

Your .280 is more powerful and shoots a heavier bullet than my primary mule deer rifle - you'll do fine with it.

Re the scope issue - I just use a fixed 6x Leupold. In fact I swapped a 4.5-14x off the rifle, in favor of that 6x several years ago. It's worked out better as a hunting scope, for me. If you use the variable, keep that rascal turned down to minimum power so you get a wide field of view when the huge mulie buck jumps up at 30 yards while you're walking...

Practice a bit. Ignore the rifles you're not hunting with this year, focus on your primary & backup rifles only. Make sure you're in good shape for the hunt. Glass, glass, glass. Be calm when it's time to shoot. You'll fill that tag.

Best of luck this season. Guy

 

[Greg Nolan]

Thanks for the posative inputs. When the time comes everything will work out just fine. My running starts when the hayfever stops in a couple of days and I'm not worried about the hunting or shooting part. Confidence and experience are now at good levels and this hunt should cure the "magnum-mania" once and for all. Either that or those two mouse guns are going up for sale as soon as I get back. :lol: YES, the secret is out, my messy work bench is now common knowlege but I find it somehow comforning :roll: to have my organized mess.
Thanks again everyone. Range report to follow.
Greg

 

[sask boy]

That is great Greg looking forward to the range report and photos.
That 280 is my next project just not sure if it is going to be a AI or not :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Oldtrader3]

Aleena, you needn't worry. I have been able to handload my grandson's .280 Rem with 160 gr AccuBond bullets and IMR 7828 SSC powder up to 3000+ fps with no pressure signs and great accuracy. This velocity is not too much less than my 7mm Mag and is done with a 22 inch barrel in the .280 to boot. I think that you will be pleased with the .280 Rem rifle once you have taken some game with it. However, there are no flies onthe 7mm Mauser either.

 

[Polaris]

The 280 caliber and nosler ammo better be all that it is billed to be or I have just spent a bunch of money on equipment that will not seal the deal when the time comes. I will take my faithful 7 x 57 and some swifts with me --just in case. But from all indications so far, I have nothing to worry about.

Think of the .280 as a 7x63mm. Same bullets and basic case as the 7x57mm with a tad more powder capacity. Don't have any experience with Nosler loaded ammo but their bullets are top quality. Don't see any reason to doubt their ammo.

 

[Elkman]

Greg/Aleena
The most powerful scope that I own is a 10 power, you will do fine. I have been around and owned both calibers in my lifetime. In fact I still own a 280, and prefer it over the 7 by. My take is that the 280 is the "06" of the 7mm's. A great cartridge with a proven record. I have always used the 160 gr. bullet in mine. 3 inches or so high at 100 and you are good to go. Just my 02

 

[Oldtrader3]

I had a 3-9x40 scope on both of my .280 for the 17 years that I owned them. I used them exclusively for deer sized animals and had no scope or rifle power issues. My grandson just killed a 450 pound hog in Texas with his .280 and 140 grain Partitions.

 

[.280 Remington]

My .280 with various 140gr bullets has served me well through the years on some fairly decent mule deer with shots ranging from 100-325 yards. You'll be just fine. I promise.

It can also kill whitetail and pronghorn.....

 

[DrMike]

Those are some beautiful mulies. I've used my .280 on a number of mule deer and whitetail. All dropped to the shot. For years, I used a 139 grain Hornady InterLock, and it performed very well for me.

 

[SJB358]

Awesome pictures Mike! Very cool!

Greg, you have a pair of very cool rifles buddy! Can't wait to see how you make out. I think your 280 or 270WBY will make you proud, they are perfect muley rifles.

 

[DrMike]

Mike,

Were these Nebraska mulies?

 

[.280 Remington]

Mike,

Were these Nebraska mulies?

Yes sir they sure are. All of those animals are from Nebraska

 

[DrMike]

I may need to lean on my brother to see if I can't finagle a hunt in his state. They are certainly fine looking animals.

 

[SJB358]

I may need to lean on my brother to see if I can't finagle a hunt in his state

Shoot, I need to lean on 280 Remington! I hear he has some good places to chase them down!

 

[Guy Miner]

Great looking mule deer.

I think once we get up into the .270, .280, .30-06 class of cartridge, we're dealing with more than enough "power" to take down any deer, at any reasonable range.

It's just up to us, as hunters & marksmen, to put a good bullet where it needs to go.

Guy

 

[Greg Nolan]

I'd be proud to tag any one of those. Maybe I need to look into hunting Nebraska.
Greg