Pronghorn/Mule Deer rifle
- Thread starter Guy Miner
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #22
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,807
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Yeah, I know guys, it's pretty simple - take the .25-06 and one of the .30's and go hunting.
Have the .204 available if the opportunity arises to shoot P-Dogs... :grin:
Thought I'd toss it out there just for discussion. Why not? I'm so doggone excited about this upcoming hunt. I'll try not to post about it more than once every hour or two for the next year... :wink:
Dang, I sure hope I get drawn!
Later, Guy
Have the .204 available if the opportunity arises to shoot P-Dogs... :grin:
Thought I'd toss it out there just for discussion. Why not? I'm so doggone excited about this upcoming hunt. I'll try not to post about it more than once every hour or two for the next year... :wink:
Dang, I sure hope I get drawn!
Later, Guy
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,420
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I can't imagine why you'd be excited! :lol: We're all pulling for you, anticipating that it will be a great hunt. And to think, we'll all get to share the hunt vicariously.
nomosendero
Handloader
- Apr 13, 2006
- 536
- 1
Guy Miner":2x6zt8de said:
I hope you get drawn too.
I plan on being about 30 miles Southwest of Gillette next Oct.
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
Guy et al,
Since I began going on these combo hunts for mule deer and pronghorn, I have used rifles chambered in these calibers : 270Win, 7mmRemMag, 7x57Mauser, 7mmWSM, 30-06, 300RUM and my current love, 280Rem. Crazy maybe, but once I have a rifle dialed in and used on a hunt or two, I begin to covet something "new"! None of those chamberings failed to get the job done on mule deer and pronghorn. I was glad that when I saw what is probably my second best set of antlers at 404 yards, I was carrying a Browning B78, falling block in 7mmRemMag. I had that rifle tuned to shoot very fast and very flat, so the drop at that yardage took no figuring out.
While I have never owned a rifle chambered for 25-06, I am convinced that it will work fine on the animals that we will encounter. No problem!
The rancher with whom I hunt claims that 270Win. has been the winner, in terms of numbers of folks who hunt with him and what they carry. That means very little to me, because I would be more concerned with how well the hunter uses his rifle/cartridge choice, rather than what he carries. From what I know of Guy and his hunting history, he should have no difficulty in cleanly taking both mule deer and pronghorn with his 25-06 chambered rifle. Since Guy mentioned being able to shoot his 308Win. well, that would be my choice for a back-up rifle on the trip.
The 2012 season will be my third, using the Browning Stalker in 280Rem.............Hey, how good are those rifles chambered for 284Win.? I am going to look at those! <8^))
I truly believe that the broad selection of efficient deer cartridges available has more to do with the writers of gunning stories, touting certain cartridges, than it has to do with filling a particular need. Not too long ago, the 260Rem. was touted by many writers as the greatest cartridge ever! For whatever reason the 260 had a short life of popularity and is now nearly dead, even though I believe that it would be a fine choice for deer! The primary consideration is always, what can one shoot accurately and comfortably, that will get the job done. I cannot even guess the numbers, in terms of selection, between 243Win. and 458WinMag, but any or all ot them will work, in the hands of an accomplished rifleman who puts in his practice time.
Years ago, when my cousin and I were kids, he was given a Savage 99 in 303Savage. I lost count of how many deer he has taken with that old rig, but as far as I know, it is the only rifle that he has ever owned and shot! When anyone asked what rifle they should get for deer hunting, my cousin, without hesitation, will say, "Get a Savage Model 99 in 303Savage!" I believe that you will get my point.
Steven in DeLand, FL.
Since I began going on these combo hunts for mule deer and pronghorn, I have used rifles chambered in these calibers : 270Win, 7mmRemMag, 7x57Mauser, 7mmWSM, 30-06, 300RUM and my current love, 280Rem. Crazy maybe, but once I have a rifle dialed in and used on a hunt or two, I begin to covet something "new"! None of those chamberings failed to get the job done on mule deer and pronghorn. I was glad that when I saw what is probably my second best set of antlers at 404 yards, I was carrying a Browning B78, falling block in 7mmRemMag. I had that rifle tuned to shoot very fast and very flat, so the drop at that yardage took no figuring out.
While I have never owned a rifle chambered for 25-06, I am convinced that it will work fine on the animals that we will encounter. No problem!
The rancher with whom I hunt claims that 270Win. has been the winner, in terms of numbers of folks who hunt with him and what they carry. That means very little to me, because I would be more concerned with how well the hunter uses his rifle/cartridge choice, rather than what he carries. From what I know of Guy and his hunting history, he should have no difficulty in cleanly taking both mule deer and pronghorn with his 25-06 chambered rifle. Since Guy mentioned being able to shoot his 308Win. well, that would be my choice for a back-up rifle on the trip.
The 2012 season will be my third, using the Browning Stalker in 280Rem.............Hey, how good are those rifles chambered for 284Win.? I am going to look at those! <8^))
I truly believe that the broad selection of efficient deer cartridges available has more to do with the writers of gunning stories, touting certain cartridges, than it has to do with filling a particular need. Not too long ago, the 260Rem. was touted by many writers as the greatest cartridge ever! For whatever reason the 260 had a short life of popularity and is now nearly dead, even though I believe that it would be a fine choice for deer! The primary consideration is always, what can one shoot accurately and comfortably, that will get the job done. I cannot even guess the numbers, in terms of selection, between 243Win. and 458WinMag, but any or all ot them will work, in the hands of an accomplished rifleman who puts in his practice time.
Years ago, when my cousin and I were kids, he was given a Savage 99 in 303Savage. I lost count of how many deer he has taken with that old rig, but as far as I know, it is the only rifle that he has ever owned and shot! When anyone asked what rifle they should get for deer hunting, my cousin, without hesitation, will say, "Get a Savage Model 99 in 303Savage!" I believe that you will get my point.
Steven in DeLand, FL.
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
nomosendero , you wrote that you would hunting south of Gillette, Wy. Guy and I will be hunting north of Gillette, along both sides of Rt. 59. The home base, ranch is in Montana.
Good luck on your hunt!
Steven in DeLand, FL
Good luck on your hunt!
Steven in DeLand, FL
- Thread starter
- #28
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,807
- 6,146
Steven - with thoughts like that, we're not going to have much to argue about.
Guy
Guy
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
Guy, you will probably have me wanting a 25-06. Any cartridge based on the 30-06 case is sooo sexy looking.......Long and lean and deadly!
Steven
Steven
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
BK did write: "Yeah, that is pretty crazy to wait that long. (smiley)"
Worse than that, I whine and mope around AFTER I do sell one rifle in order to get another. I miss them all and still, I want to try something different.
Probably the one that I miss most, is my Browning B78, falling block in 7mmRemMag. Still not sure why I let that one go. Maybe because someone offered me a lot more than I had in it and I was frothing over the 280Rem. loads that I was working up. I see very little difference in the practical application of the 280Rem. compared to 7mmRemMag.
As my eyes fail with age, I am not missing the extra bit of effective range provided by the 7mmRemMag. I certainly do not miss the magnum recoil, extra propellant burned, and louder report.......Yeah, I made a good move, making my primary game getter a 280Rem.! Up to an including the 175gr. bullets, is the 7mm the best flyer? I like to believe that it is.
Steven
Worse than that, I whine and mope around AFTER I do sell one rifle in order to get another. I miss them all and still, I want to try something different.
Probably the one that I miss most, is my Browning B78, falling block in 7mmRemMag. Still not sure why I let that one go. Maybe because someone offered me a lot more than I had in it and I was frothing over the 280Rem. loads that I was working up. I see very little difference in the practical application of the 280Rem. compared to 7mmRemMag.
As my eyes fail with age, I am not missing the extra bit of effective range provided by the 7mmRemMag. I certainly do not miss the magnum recoil, extra propellant burned, and louder report.......Yeah, I made a good move, making my primary game getter a 280Rem.! Up to an including the 175gr. bullets, is the 7mm the best flyer? I like to believe that it is.
Steven
25-06 as a primary with the 300WSM for back-up or if the wind is really howling. Both will do a great job.
Unless you need and excuse to buy an new rifle, and then I'd recommend a 264WM or 270WSM with a long sleek high BC 140gr AccuBond speeding along at about 3200fps. They are what accompany me on my trips to Wyoming for deer or goats. Great ballistics and very manageable recoil.
Unless you need and excuse to buy an new rifle, and then I'd recommend a 264WM or 270WSM with a long sleek high BC 140gr AccuBond speeding along at about 3200fps. They are what accompany me on my trips to Wyoming for deer or goats. Great ballistics and very manageable recoil.
nomosendero
Handloader
- Apr 13, 2006
- 536
- 1
roysclockgun":12z2f88o said:
And good luck to you Sir!
Greg Nolan
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2004
- 2,143
- 18
You sure can't go wrong with any of those calibers and the fun is choosing which ones to take. As you know it is pretty windy out there and at times the light bullets may be a little more prone to drift so a 300 wsm with 165 gr. high BC bullets may give you a little more edge if you need it as a backup.
Good luck
Greg
Good luck
Greg
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
Greg Nolan did write: "As you know it is pretty windy out there....."
On 13 hunts in Wyoming, two hunts in W. Texas and three hunts in Colorado, I have not had problems with wind drift on any shots taken on deer sized animals. The longest shot was on a muley, across a canyon, where the range finder read 404 yards. Most shots were using a 7mm 140gr. Nosler AB. If the bullets did drift because of wind, the drift was negliable, as killing hits were achieved.
I do agree with Greg, in terms of constant wind being almost what has to expected out there. On prairie dogs, shots over 200 yards need correction due to wind. Then, of course, I am using a lighter bullet of only 55gr.
Best,
Steven in DeLand, FL
On 13 hunts in Wyoming, two hunts in W. Texas and three hunts in Colorado, I have not had problems with wind drift on any shots taken on deer sized animals. The longest shot was on a muley, across a canyon, where the range finder read 404 yards. Most shots were using a 7mm 140gr. Nosler AB. If the bullets did drift because of wind, the drift was negliable, as killing hits were achieved.
I do agree with Greg, in terms of constant wind being almost what has to expected out there. On prairie dogs, shots over 200 yards need correction due to wind. Then, of course, I am using a lighter bullet of only 55gr.
Best,
Steven in DeLand, FL
roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
mcseal2 did write: "Unless you need and excuse to buy an new rifle, and then I'd recommend a 264WM or 270WSM....."
I always intended to buy a rifle chambered in .264WM, but was put off by the writings claiming that the .264WM is a barrel burner! For those of you who own a rifle chambered in .264WM, I would ask; Is that claim true? Or is it just on more false rumor?
Steven in DeLand, FL
I always intended to buy a rifle chambered in .264WM, but was put off by the writings claiming that the .264WM is a barrel burner! For those of you who own a rifle chambered in .264WM, I would ask; Is that claim true? Or is it just on more false rumor?
Steven in DeLand, FL
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,420
- 6,297
Steven,
It is not rumour; however, the reputation seems to me to arise from failure to consider the amount of powder being burned and the bore diameter of the barrel. This means that one has no business shooting it hot. Also, failure to keep the throat clean contributes to erosion. As with all high-stepping cartridges, avoiding shooting the barrel until blistering and maintain reasonable cleanliness avoids the problem of throat erosion.
It is not rumour; however, the reputation seems to me to arise from failure to consider the amount of powder being burned and the bore diameter of the barrel. This means that one has no business shooting it hot. Also, failure to keep the throat clean contributes to erosion. As with all high-stepping cartridges, avoiding shooting the barrel until blistering and maintain reasonable cleanliness avoids the problem of throat erosion.
I couldn't agree more with Mike. Mine has been pretty good to me so far. I am still not sure I have it totally figured out, but keeping it clean all the time and not running it too hot seems to be a good recipe for success with it. I also tend to lean towards the heavier weight bullets with it. It still zings them very fast and with a little less powder than the lighter ones. I love the 264. It is really fast and mine seems to be broken in pretty decent now so it cleans up fast. 140's around 3100 or so is nothing to sneeze at and they will carry the mail a long way. Scotty
G
Guest
Guest
I don't shoot a 264, but I shoot enough 270Wby to have an applicable opinion, I suspect. The whole concept of "barrel burners" is a bit overblown, IMO. Will a 264WinMag kill a barrel faster than, say, a 308Win? Sure. But, comparitively, the 308Win is going to burn one out faster than a 45LC or 444Marlin, I suspect. So then, by definition, the 308 could be called a barrel burner, depending on to whom you're talking.
I think, too, that the availability of much slower powders has enhanced the barrel life of these highly overbore rounds. Consider how much heat you'd be generating and how it would be concentrated in the throat area if you shot your 264 or my 270Wby with something like 748 or H4350...
The real question is, how long will a barrel last with a given chambering. With proper care (cleaned regularly, not shot til the barrel is too hot to touch, etc.) a 264 will likely last 1500rds or more. Most folks won't shoot that many rounds in a lifetime. I've got several hundred rounds through my 270Wby already, and accuracy is still sub-caliber with the best load.
I think, too, that the availability of much slower powders has enhanced the barrel life of these highly overbore rounds. Consider how much heat you'd be generating and how it would be concentrated in the throat area if you shot your 264 or my 270Wby with something like 748 or H4350...
The real question is, how long will a barrel last with a given chambering. With proper care (cleaned regularly, not shot til the barrel is too hot to touch, etc.) a 264 will likely last 1500rds or more. Most folks won't shoot that many rounds in a lifetime. I've got several hundred rounds through my 270Wby already, and accuracy is still sub-caliber with the best load.
Good point Dubyam, heck, you could always have the barrel set back a little or replaced. No reason to not shoot the big guns. I figure if the 264WM ever gets too bad, a rebarrel with a custom barrel would be in order and then I would work on killing that one too! You gotta pay for the fast ones, but like you said Dubyam, take your time and be reasonable with it and it will last a long time. 1500 rounds is alot of powder! Scotty
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