26” 270 rifle for mule deer

[jjmp]

OP, What ever you do please don't leave us hanging. Far too many forum members don't come back and tell us what they picked and how that all worked out . Kinda like fresh baked Apple pie ,minus the two scoops of Vanilla ice cream. With respect you need to start practicing with a great scope check out Meopta optika 6 ,Or their Optika 5 series, & Congrats having that range close . Cheers & Happy New Years

 

[Rocketeer77]

Up to now I've hunted whitetails 5-100 yards in mid-western woods. About anything goes at those ranges (30-06 with iron sights for me). My new neighbor has asked me to go with him out west next year in search of Mule deer and possibly antelope. This would be more open country than i am used to (maybe 100-350 yards?) so am looking for a flatter shooting round / rifle. He tells me if he had to start out fresh he'd recommend first a 25-06, and second choice 270. BUT only with a 26-inch barrel. In my price range (say 800-1200) I dont see anything in 25-06, and only two in .270 with 26" barrel options: Browning X bolt speed LR and the Remington 700 Long Range.
Am I missing other options? If not which would be your choice.
First time poster so go easy…..and point me to existing threads if applicable.
Thanks
Tim in TN

26" barrel arrrrr why? We're getting 3,200 fps with 130's and with a shorter barrel that's more than enough for the ranges you're talking about.

 

[Turpentine21]

26" barrel arrrrr why? We're getting 3,200 fps with 130's and with a shorter barrel that's more than enough for the ranges you're talking about.

Exactly, and 3000fps with the 140s and 145s in a package that unless you choose something ultra lite will not kick you from under your hat. And has energy to spare

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

No need for a 26" .270 for western mule deer and pronghorn.

My daughter kills everything with her 22" 6.5SLR (similar to a .260 Rem) pushing 130 OTMs @ 2900fps. Pronghorn at 331, 381, 391, 771. Mule deer at 454, 532, 637. I have killed a couple too @ 260 & 589 with it.
A good 6CM, 25CM, 6.5CM,
260 Rem, etc will easily get you to 500+.
A 6.5PRC would be even better, and get you more reach.

Nothing wrong with a .270 Win. But definitely not needed for mule deer and pronghorn.
A fast twist .25-06 Rem (like 1:7.5 to 1:8") to push the 133, would be a wicked muley/pronghorn rifle. But I don't know if any factory rifles come in a fast twist, just the old school 1:10". Still works great for the 115 VLD, and you can get them cooking pretty good. It would be a fine 500 yard deer round.

What He Said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.

I would look at a 6.5Prc.
Welcome to LRH

 

[del2les]

A lot of good advice already given, for there are numerous calibers/cartridges very capable at 3-350 yds for deer size game. Especially for those ranges, a 26" barrel isn't needed, as many of us take all types of game with 20"-24" tubes at considerably longer distances.

Choose a decently accurate rifle in several of the flatter shooting calibers, a decent scope, a higher BC bullet/load and practice at varying ranges to your desired max. Have a great hunt.

 

[Turpentine21]

I built myself a 6.5-06 and love it. It is a very good gun at distance. I also have my old standby Model 70 Sporter in 270 with 24" barrel and a wood stock and it is a pleasure to shoot. There is enough weight there to soak up recoil. Its accurate and It's been a great hunting gun.

 

[Mark37082]

I just want to welcome you to the forum. It doesn't sound like currently shoot a lot or reload. My suggestion is get something with a good availability of off the shelf reasonably priced ammo. Also, get a rifle chambered in cartridge that will be pleasant to shoot. I will probably be heckled for this, but the 6.5 CM or better IMO is the trusty 308win with a 22" barrel. Put a decent scope on it, and go have yourself some fun.

 

[Heavyiron]

A 280 ackley with a 24 inch barrel. Will duplicate a 270 with a 26 inch. I own a 280 ackley and it duplicates the 270, but comes within a mere 100fps when compared to the 7mm rem mag, with comparable bullet weights.

 

[del2les]

I just want to welcome you to the forum. It doesn't sound like currently shoot a lot or reload. My suggestion is get something with a good availability of off the shelf reasonably priced ammo. Also, get a rifle chambered in cartridge that will be pleasant to shoot. I will probably be heckled for this, but the 6.5 CM or better IMO is the trusty 308win with a 22" barrel. Put a decent scope on it, and go have yourself some fun.

Nothing wrong with a 308, for I use it with the old 155 AMAX and 165 GKBT out to 600 yds on game. It performs well, so 3-350yds should be no issue.

 

[Lou270]

26" barrel 270 will be fine if that is what you want. Everybody and their brother running guns with suppressors these days at least that long.

Lou

 

[Mark37082]

@timothy2700 - if you get a 308win, I will you let you have some factory ammo to try at a very reasonable cost.

 

[memtb]

26" barrel 270 will be fine if that is what you want. Everybody and their brother running guns with suppressors these days at least that long.

Lou

I must be an only child……I want nothing longer than 24", and nothing "hanging" on the end of my rifle barrel! memtb

 

[Ol' Red]

I must be an only child……I want nothing longer than 24", and nothing "hanging" on the end of my rifle barrel! memtb

You are not the only one.

 

[Monteria]

I must be an only child……I want nothing longer than 24", and nothing "hanging" on the end of my rifle barrel! memtb

But think of all the extra range that extra 2 inches would get you...