I live and hunt in alaska with a .375h&h. I am now interested in hunting deer. Can anyone tell me wether a 270,30-06, or a 300 w.m would be a good chiose. Recoil could be a consideration for my wife, after 20 years with a 375, recoil is not a problem for me. Off the gun subject, where can i go for a nice mule deer?

The 25-06 is a fine cartridge where recoil is a problem.The 280 and 7mm mag work very well also and are not too stiff in the recoil department if the gun is not overly light.

Greg:

I'd second what SJ said about the 25-06. It makes an excellent deer/larger varmint rifle. I use 100 gr. bullets as a dual purpose load and the results are very dependable. Naturally, the 270 is an excellent choice as well, and ammo is more readily available. Of course if you are a handloader, that's not much of a factor. Both rifles are very pleasant in the recoil department. Having just taught a woman to shoot centerfires, light recoil (light rifle too for that matter) is a big plus.

Jim

Greg: Considering factory ammo availability in Alaska, I would go with any of the following: .30-06, .308, .270.

Greg P - After thinking about this a bit, I think I would recommend the .308. It's not the ultimate long range rifle but your wife could probably care less about this.

The thing I like about the 308 is the great variety of bullets. And if she gets interested in more than the occasional deer, you can crank it up to 165 or 180 gr bullets and still have a very useable rifle for her.

Naturally the /06 would be a little better yet, but you would pick up a bit more recoil to go with it, especially in the heavier bullets.

I am also a huge fan of the quarterbores, however, I would have to second the .308 recommendation.

Good versatility, available in assorted lightweights, excellent bullet selection, terminal performance is good with mild recoil.

Good luck to you and yours,

~Holmes

Greg,
Buy the 270 already! I think that Mrs. Greg will handle it fine. Think Conner will be ready for it in a couple of years as well. If you ever decide to go after another Sheep (as if you needed another,) You would be in good company again. Think that it would be easier on an old guy like you rather than dragging the 375 up the hill!
best,
bhtr

The easiest Mule Deer state to hunt is probably Wyoming, or Montana. Or, so say my friends. The best quality state seems to be either Colorado, or Nevada.
I go for a standard round. I've killed far more deer, icluding open country mule deer, at ranges measured in feet than over 200 yds. E

Eremicus: We have deer in Alaska, but very small when compared to mule deer.

Oh, about the States...We Alaskans don't like to say too many good things about our State, hoping to keep it for ourselves as long as possible.

I'm not a big .270 fan but it makes the most sence for a deer round, within the choices you have given. Your wife should be fine w/ any good 130gr bullet for deer & antelope. If you are handloading, then my vote would go to a .25-06 or .280, like I said, I'm not a .270 fan.

Greg,

I hunt deer with a 6.5-'06, which is just a skinny .270 Win. That rifle with a 130 grain load is the classic Western deer recipe for a reason.

A good mule deer is the hardest trophy to come by in America today.

You can take a look at Rich LaRocco's Associated hunting Consultants website at www.hunts.net.

I used to work for Rich, and he has some great hunts. Expect to book more than a year in advance.

Two areas that are good are Nevada and BC. Nevada is all draw, and that is a drag. They do have some really great mulies. I think BC is a real sleeper for mule deer up in the north around the agricultural areas.

jim dodd

I personally would recomend the 7mm-08, you can come pretty close to 280 velocities but in a nice light short action rifle.

greg p - go with a 30 caliber for versatility, a 308 or 06 would work fine and in a decent rifle would not be too much of a kicker - my recommendations for a good mulie would be eastern Utah, near the Manti - LaSalle National Forest - also sports a nice elk population - KMule

Greg, believe me, with the right premium bullets, the .270 is a great round for anything in Alaska except the big brownies!! As a matter of fact, when I lived in Fairbanks, there was a local doctor there (don't remember his name) whose wife killed several polar bears with a .270!! While living in Alaska, I used the 150 grain Nosler partition bullet for all hunting with my .270's. When I moved to Colorado, I changed to the 130 grain Nosler partition. The 130-grain proved plenty adequate for large mule deer and black bear hunting.