Hey David, I agree, some of those rifle hunts can be insane! I usually hunt cows with my -30.06 and i use 180 grain bullets. I use core-lokts which are cheap and have plenty of knockdown power! I've been blessed to kill cow elk from 2008-2010 in NM in unit 21B which is typically known as a low success unit and there are always left over tags. What's hilarious is that when we look at the success charts the year after, only we show up as being successful! We've learned that getting away from the crowds is the best strategy. I think that 140 grains are a little on the light side but if you put one behind the shoulder, there's no doubt that cow will be dead! Good luck on both of your hunts and I especially hope you kill a monster mule deer because personally I think NM is very underrated for its quality mule deer hunts. In the next few years I think NM will be listed higher on the trophy numbers because of the disastrous winterkill in Wyoming and Colorado last winter. Good Luck!
-Dane
-Dane
