Best caliber for Colorado Mule Deer.

I am a South Texas deer hunter and own many caliber of deer rifles, but I am going on a public draw deer hunt in Colorado and need to know what is a good all round caliber for Mule deer. I use a 300 RUM in Texas due to long Sendaro shooting out to about 600 yrds, but want some input for Mule deer in Colorado. I am under the understanding that altitude can effect preformance.

Nathan Jedlicka said:

I am a South Texas deer hunter and own many caliber of deer rifles, but I am going on a public draw deer hunt in Colorado and need to know what is a good all round caliber for Mule deer. I use a 300 RUM in Texas due to long Sendaro shooting out to about 600 yrds, but want some input for Mule deer in Colorado. I am under the understanding that altitude can effect preformance.

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A .300 magnum is fine. You can always get closer. That said, a .300 rum with +/- 220gr projectile will do damage at well beyond 600y.

It's all relative, air at high altitude is less dense, but generally it's colder. So, I wouldn't be worried about bullet performance unless you're trying to make something like 1500y+ shots. At supersonic, it should perform about what you're use to.

You're 300 RUM will be just fine.

hunt30 said:

You're 300 RUM will be just fine.

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300 RUM is more than adequate for any deer that I know of wherever they live.

Best caliber for mule deer (out to 800 yds)?
6.5mm
.257"
7mm
.308"

I might get some hate for this, but here is my opinion:

6.5mm could be anything from a 6.5x47L to a 26 Nosler. From a good 130 to a 156. They will rock a muley, and recoil is not bad. So easy a kid can do it....

.257" could be a .250 Savage to a .257 Wby. But, I would go with a fast twist and heavy bullet like the 133 or 135 Berger to really capitalize on this caliber. Maybe a 115gr in a 1:10" twist, but 600 is getting about max for me with that combo. The heavies definitely hit above their weight class. Run those numbers.

7mm, I have never been a big fan of the smaller 7mms like 7-08 w. 140s even though tons of guys like them. So I would say 7SAUM, .280AI, 7RM, 28 Nosler etc. w. a 160gr-195gr bullet. Plenty for much longer shots, and can double as a good elk round as well.

.308 for me seems to start getting good in a .30-06, .300SAUM, .300WSM, .300WM, .300RUM. 180-230gr bullets. But definitely (for me), the big .30s are getting into that "overkill" range for deer, but dead is dead, right? Plus, recoil starts to really go up in a big 30 pushing heavies.

You could slip 6mm in there as well, but they tend to start to peter out at 700-800. The 105-115gr actually do quite well on deer-sized game. But out to 600, they work very well.

Your RUM will be great. The biggest thing will be adjusting to western style hunting/hiking and shooting presentations/positions. If you haven't already, I'd seriously consider looking at what you want in a good backpack, quality binos for long glassing periods, and shooting sticks designed for a sitting position. I like the good old Primos Pole Cat Steady Sticks. Simple, light, compact, and effective. Best of luck on a big muley!

.25-05 Rem
.270 Win
Or the gun you currently have & like.

270 !

If you want a reason to buy a rifle, anything north of .243. Otherwise your RUM is more that adequate.

I can tell from experience, lots of mule deer hate 30-06 with 165 grain Hornady interlock. They fall over and play dead very quickly

What can you shoot best?

I have killed many Mule deer here in Montana with a 300 win mag and 180 gr Nosler Partition,Accubond and Barnes TTSX 180 gr as well.
I have even taken my fair fare share of Muleys with a 30-06,308 and 300 savage as well.
That 300 RUM will do the deal very well.

Go with what you have and don't worry about the altitude since most of your shot opportunities will more than likely be less than what you mentioned.

I've seen an 8 pound 6.5x47 with 140 vld do some really good longer range work. I guess if you are not hiking much a big rig is fine. If hiking 3-6 miles a day, I'd vote for something around 8 pounds though. Anything over 243 is fine. Good luck to you.

I would get a .408 Chey Tac if I were you . Seriously, if you shoot your .300 well, just use it. And don't fall for the "mountain rifle" BS with something so light you can't hold it on target.

I use a .300 WinMag, my wife uses a .260 Remington and nothing has gone far. And we have really swirly winds in the mountains, so forget about those cross canyon shots even if you can do them on the flat.