The first couple of times that I hunted Coues deer, I used a custom Model 70 300 Win. Mag. with a fairly heavy, fluted 26" bbl. and a Leupold 6.5-20x scope. It was a nuisance to carry in the mountains, so I sold it.

After that, I went with another custom M70 300 Win. Mag., only this one had a McMillan stock, a light 24" bbl, and a Leupold 4.5-14x on top. This was a much more practical rifle to carry, and it worked just fine. I'd hunt with it anywhere, at least where that level of power is really warranted, which I don't think it is for Coues deer.

The next time I hunt Coues deer, I'm taking a light custom Model 70 in 270 Win. with a 22" bbl. with a McMillan stock and a Leupold 2.5-8x scope.

So you see a trend developing: I'm going shorter, lighter, and handier, and I hope -- smarter. Amoung other big game animals in other places, I've hunted mule deer here in Oregon for many years with a light 270 Win., and often those bucks were taken at long range. Coues deer are nowhere near as big or as tough as mule deer, and besides, the 270 Win. shoots just as flat as the 300 Win. Mag. does, so there's no way to be undergunned by selecting a 270 for Coues deer hunting.

In short, I don't think I'll be giving up anything by going with a 270 instead of the 300...........

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