mule deer

tnyotehunter · 03-02-2005, 07:04 PM

i will be going after mule deer and pronghorn(hopefully) this fall in montana.i will be using a 30/06.i am not sure which grain bullet to use 150 or 165? any suggestions? i also handload.i was thinking of 165 grain barnes or the 165 grain nosler ballistic tip.thanks

whitetailhunter4637 · 03-02-2005, 08:09 PM

I've heard good things about the 165 grain nosler for deer. Should work excellent on pronghorn also.

121553 · 03-02-2005, 09:39 PM

Good Grief, 165's for goats is kinda on the heavy side. The goats weigh about one third to that of a mule deer buck. Either hunt one or the other/or bring both loads, but 165's are on the heavy side for for those prarie goats, but just right for those 300 # mulies, either way your going to need something that will reach out a couple hundred yards and connect. Good luck, Bobby

handloader1 · 03-02-2005, 11:16 PM

I would go with a 165 gr. Barnes X with a MAX: load of 63.0 grs of RL-22 VEL: 3,002 f/s. Reduce MAX LOAD by 10% for starting load.

Barnes also makes a 165 gr. XLC call Barnes for data at 1-800-574-9200

Good luck.

Slamfire · 03-03-2005, 01:18 AM

The 150s have been killin' mulies for an awful long time. I don't know why they can't continue to do it. But the 165s will kill goats too, so I'd let the rifle pick the bullet it liked best.

huntingpal · 03-03-2005, 03:28 AM

When I went after pronghorn I loaded up 150 grn. ballistic tips and loved the performance. I see no reason they wouldn't work on mule deer also. The acuraccy was great and terminal performance was great. Shot one goat at 325 yds and he calapsed.

charlie brown · 03-03-2005, 05:05 PM

I see no reason that the 165 BT's wouldn't work just fine. I have seen plenty of goats drop to 165 grain Sierras. Can't imagine how well 165 grain BT's would work!!

TerryM · 03-03-2005, 05:45 PM

Flip a coin or use whatever shoots best in your rifle. As for type of bullets, I used the ballistic with great success.

jones123 · 03-03-2005, 07:13 PM

130 grain .270 is all I use for these and never had a walk-away, except for the occasional total miss. Don't know if 30-06 comes in 130, but I'd agree with thise who say 165 is large.

whitetailhunter4637 · 03-04-2005, 07:14 AM

but yote hunter isnt sure if hes hunting prong horn. He is sure though of the mulies ,that is why i suggested the 165, but i do agree Charlie Brown the 165 Nosler should work just fine for either if he does go.