Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

Roughrice said:

Funny it came up here.
I'm doing load development on a 22 Creedmoor rifle I put together as a gift for my friend in South Texas .
They have a following of 75-88's going fast for whitetail down there.
I have no experience with performance on game but they are moving along fast and is fun to shoot.

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Most Texas whitetail bucks harvested field dress In the120 to 150 lb range. Yes there are heavier bucks but they are by far the minority of specimens. And yes, many centerfire 22 cals are very effective on TX whitetails.

cajun said:

The 120 Ballistic tip at 3k is a beast.

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I shot 123 ELD-M's for a while and Yes there was practically, NO recoil !
BUT I opted for, the 10 Percent Higher BC's and the Extreme accuracy from, the 130 gr. M's at, the Longer Distances for, Steel Plate, shooting.
Agree, for Deer at, most "Normal Ranges", the 120 NBT's or 123 gr. M's will, "Get it, Done",. just Fine !

kgarrett said:

I'm a believer that less recoil is better - improves shot placement - all things being equal. It's not though, is it?

My question is if 22 center fires are so great why not a 20 cal or a 17 ? 204 Ruger on elk - you heard it here first!

I believe 22 cal's can be effective on deer sized game but there is just not enough upside. A 6.5 creedmoor to 7 mm rem mag offers so much more momentum, energy, frontal area, etc. without a huge penalty in recoil that anybody can learn to shoot one of them well. I think the 6 mm's are sensible minimums for big game and don't support using anything less for hunting. For culling operations, the 22 centerfires may have their place. They may be as effective as larger centerfires in some circumstances and in some shot placements, but they are NOT superior in any circumstance IMO. To go a bit further, arguing that 22 centerfires are the best, most versatile deer hunting cartridges would be asinine.

They are a niche choice for big game hunting for a reason. You don't need a 30-378 or a 340 Wby to kill a deer and likewise cartridges that do not meet legal minimums in many jurisdictions are a crap choice.

My opinion, of course, is worth what you paid for it.

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I apologize for my harsh tone, I should have been more civil. I should have simply said that there are better choices.

And I must admit I have developed a bias towards using enough gun and premium hunting bullets though I have taken deer and pronghorn cleanly with a 243 in 95 gr SST as well as a 6.5 CM in 147 gr ELD-M, both of have a well deserved reputation for rapid expansion. In fact, I am currently hunting with the ELD-M's in my 6.5 PRC though I would not be excited to take an on the shoulder or frontal shot on an elk at less than 100 yds. And, I'm currently hunting with 208gr LRX in my 300 PRC though I've also got 225 gr ELD-M's for it. I guess I should make up my mind!

Nevertheless, if it works well in your hands and is legal in your hunting area, fill your boots. I suppose I should be a little more confident in my heavy for caliber ELD-M's given people's experience with 22 centerfires and SMK/TMK's. Time will tell what works well for me.

@ kgarrett
"... I'm a believer that less recoil is better - improves shot placement - all things being equal. It's not though, is it? ..."

I agree wholeheartedly!

If shooting a certain firearm is uncomfortable, you aren't going to shoot it as well as a more comfortable round.

I had always heard that the .458 Win Mag was a beast to shoot. But I wound up with one anyway.
Out if curiosity, I burned nearly a box of ammo through it!
1) I DO NOT suggest benching a .458 Win Mag!
2) The recoil of the Ruger M77 "African" in .458 Win Mag was NOT the sharp jolt I was expecting, but rather a heavy "push"!
3) though I was (not now!) comfortable with the recoil of my bolt .270 Win, I found the .270 recoil more uncomfortable than the .458

Stock configuration and caliber have a lot to do with how any particular person reacts to recoil.
I've seen great big stout guys that couldn't handle recoil and I've seen little scrawny dudes shooting heavy mag calibers!

WTBS!
I'm not a big believer in putting a .243 Win in the hands of a novice hunter! There is just way too much that can go wrong.
I'd opt for a 7×57 Mauser, .257 Rbts, .260 Rem or even a .30-30 Win.
BUT....that's just my opinion!

FirstBubba said:

Stock configuration and caliber have a lot to do with how any particular person reacts to recoil.
I've seen great big stout guys that couldn't handle recoil and I've seen little scrawny dudes shooting heavy mag calibers

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Amen Brother……very true!

When I first met my future wife, she was hunting with a Ruger 77 in 270 Win. I started loading some 150 Partitions for her…..shooting from the bench it hurt far worse than my .375 H&H from the bench. I even asked her, "how can you shoot this thing…..it's kill'n me"!

I discovered that the stock had been shortened for her…..and the butt angle had been altered. I re-cut it, put a Pachmyer Decellerator on it……a whole new and improved personality!

I also wholeheartedly agree with the smaller guys handling recoil better than some of the big guys. My theory….. the little guy quickly "rolls with the punch", while the big guy absorbs all of the recoil. I


I can't mathematically prove that…..but, my little mind beleaves that! memtb

Best all around caliber is SO subjective, so many cartridges between 25 and 28. I pick .26, 6.5×55 (Ruger #1) is my favorite but there are a lot 6.5's that would do. 25-06, 270win, 7mm-08, 280, 308, 30-06 and many more COULD lay claim to the title.

The .280 AI is tough to beat when u take into account a variety of factors. Of course u can take almost any caliber and develop a load for it that does the required job.
I guess if I could only own one rifle, a .280AI would be it. Felt recoil is light compared to others in the same size range. Just a great all around caliber.

Well said I have a 7-06 Ackley almost a twin to 280ai I am shooting Berger 168 HVLDs. Never had anything go far if at all with this

FirstBubba said:

@ kgarrett
"... I'm a believer that less recoil is better - improves shot placement - all things being equal. It's not though, is it? ..."

I agree wholeheartedly!

If shooting a certain firearm is uncomfortable, you aren't going to shoot it as well as a more comfortable round.

I had always heard that the .458 Win Mag was a beast to shoot. But I wound up with one anyway.
Out if curiosity, I burned nearly a box of ammo through it!
1) I DO NOT suggest benching a .458 Win Mag!
2) The recoil of the Ruger M77 "African" in .458 Win Mag was NOT the sharp jolt I was expecting, but rather a heavy "push"!
3) though I was (not now!) comfortable with the recoil of my bolt .270 Win, I found the .270 recoil more uncomfortable than the .458

Stock configuration and caliber have a lot to do with how any particular person reacts to recoil.
I've seen great big stout guys that couldn't handle recoil and I've seen little scrawny dudes shooting heavy mag calibers!

WTBS!
I'm not a big believer in putting a .243 Win in the hands of a novice hunter! There is just way too much that can go wrong.
I'd opt for a 7×57 Mauser, .257 Rbts, .260 Rem or even a .30-30 Win.
BUT....that's just my opinion!

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Put a 6.5 Grendel AR into those kids hands with the stock collapsed to actually fit them. They will shoot it accurately and won't be under gunned at the distance a novice will be shooting. They also won't be scared to practice. If the AR thing scares you just load one bullet. The 7.9 foot pounds of recoil is very easy to handle. Especially with a Limbsaver recoil pad on it. One of the best things about this package is it will actually adjust to fit them all the way into their adult frames if necessary. A lot of the lightweight "Youth" rifles kick like mules. Even in modest calibers. There are of course other calibers in the AR 15 that will work also. 300 Blackout, 350 Legend just to name a couple. I have no idea how effective those are though. I know what the Grendel will do.

I've suggested starting kids with an AR several times.
Most people just look at you like you have two heads or just slapped their mother!
Load one round at a time or chamber a round and put one in the mag, just in case!
Simple really.
You CAN buy 5 round mags for 99.9% of AR's.
Most bolt guns will hold 3 to 5 rounds.

Haven't measured the recoil on my 6.8mm AR, but it can't be THAT much more that the 6.5G!
I've taken 3 deer and several feral hogs with my 6.8mm Rem SPC.
Works great!
Everything I've shot with it has been "one-and-down".....SO FAR!


It's an Anderson DIY w/Leupold "Freedom" 1.5-4×20 and the "Pig Plex" reticle.
I carry 5, 10 and one 20 round mag.

NorthernShot said:

I've hunted whitetail and mule deer in Alberta for years with a 30-06 until getting a 6.5-300 Wby Mag and the 30-06 put them down in a hurry with 165 gr Accubonds out to 350 yards. It's my personal pick as it gives you a bit more speed/weight than a 308 can provide while remaining at the top end of pleasant recoil (the 308 would still be great). But a 270 win with 140 gr Accubonds or 130 TTSX would be just about as effective as well, my friend uses this for deer/elk.

But best or perfect calibers don't exist in my opinion. One that has enough energy and speed and you find comfortable to shoot is going to work as long as you work within the limits of the bullet (minimum/maximum speeds required to open properly) and distance for the energy you will hit the deer with. Pick one you enjoy within those parameters and you'll find success.

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I guess since everyone is giving their favourite and reasoning why their cartridge is the best all around for deer hunting out west I don't have to sit on the fence and say "pick one that fits your distance, energy, and recoil tolerance because there are just too many to say best all around that fit the bill."

So that being said; in my opinion the best all around factory loading for western mule deer and whitetail is a 6.5-300 Wby Mag shooting 127 Barnes LRX!

Zeroed at 300 yards it's a point and shoot rifle out to 400 yards with it 2.5" high at 100 yards, 2.8" high at 200, and 7" low at 400 yards. It's also got 1800 ft-lbs at 500 yards still and only 19" drop. No lead in your meat, and the deer drops like a stone in place when that bullet zips on through like lightning. It's expensive at $120-$140 per box (unless you reload, but you said factory) but it can be found in more places than you'd think you would as it's the second most popular Weatherby cartridge (last I checked) behind the 300 Wby. It's inefficient and expensive but it works better than I ever expected and with a muzzle break on it, the recoil is softer than a 308. You'll have confidence in your shot if you place it in the boiler room! Heck, you can use it on moose, elk, deer, black bears,and pronghorn, everything you can hunt out west!

FirstBubba said:

I've suggested starting kids with an AR several times.
Most people just look at you like you have two heads or just slapped their mother!
Load one round at a time or chamber a round and put one in the mag, just on case!
Simple really.

Haven't measured the recoil on my 6.8mm AR, but it can't be THAT much more that the 6.5G!
I've taken 3 deer and several feral hogs with my 6.8mm Rem SPC.
Works great!
Everything I've shot with it has been "one-and-down".....SO FAR!

View attachment 619113
It's an Anderson DIY w/Leupold "Freedom" 1.5-4×20 and the "Pig Plex" reticle.
I carry 5, 10 and one 20 round mag.

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Very little to zero difference in recoil between those two. At least the ones I've shot. Should work like a champ. I have several Anderson/ builds and they work well. My favorite Grendel is Anderson upper and lower with Alexander Arms bolt and Barrel. Aero enhanced buffer tube kit. Geisslee NM triggers are in all my builds. This one is insanely accurate

I've gotten that look as well but luckily most of those that ask trust me enough to try it. Once they try mine on the range they warm up to the idea. But I have had a couple of folks say their wife would not allow an AR in the house. My next question when I hear that is "Who wears the pants in your house".

My $0.02 I have used everything from .243 through the '30's options up to 45-70 and 12 gauge slug. .270 was my favourite for decades just because I started reading ballistic tables about 49 years ago and wanted something flat (before it was cool LOL). They all work, my reply would be pick your expected average range and that includes your confidence level, then add in if you want versatility. Match the scope to that and the best bullet for that calibre and you are off. For example, my older brother is a crazy accurate shooter in the field. He used a 25-06 on Elk and Moose in the western foothills inside 200 yards and only took neck shots. We never had to track an animal. I know outside rule of thumb, so I was more traditional, 300 Weatherby Mag and comfortable out to 500 yds but, I suck at freehand so unless inside 150 I don't shoot unless I have a rest like a tree or a fence post. I am 64, been hunting since I was 16, and have never needed or had the opportunity to shoot outside say 225 except once in my life and that was 485, with a solid fence post for a rest, south of Calgary, AB. .270 max load 130 grain boat tail sighted to drop at about 23" at 500 yds was spot on. Sorry for the long reply, my point is you can take any animal with a well placed shot, but yes, I am still adding to my collection and loving it, they all work, and they all will "out shoot" us humans. PS my next is Browning X Bolt either pro or hells canyon in .28 Nosler. Still chasing that flat fly LOL

NorthernShot said:

I guess since everyone is giving their favourite and reasoning why their cartridge is the best all around for deer hunting out west I don't have to sit on the fence and say "pick one that fits your distance, energy, and recoil tolerance because there are just too many to say best all around that fit the bill."

So that being said; in my opinion the best all around factory loading for western mule deer and whitetail is a 6.5-300 Wby Mag shooting 127 Barnes LRX!

Zeroed at 300 yards it's a point and shoot rifle out to 400 yards with it 2.5" high at 100 yards, 2.8" high at 200, and 7" low at 400 yards. It's also got 1800 ft-lbs at 500 yards still and only 19" drop. No lead in your meat, and the deer drops like a stone in place when that bullet zips on through like lightning. It's expensive at $120-$140 per box (unless you reload, but you said factory) but it can be found in more places than you'd think you would as it's the second most popular Weatherby cartridge (last I checked) behind the 300 Wby. It's inefficient and expensive but it works better than I ever expected and with a muzzle break on it, the recoil is softer than a 308. You'll have confidence in your shot if you place it in the boiler room! Heck, you can use it on moose, elk, deer, black bears,and pronghorn, everything you can hunt out west!

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Oh dang. You might have just made me doubt my next choice of .28 Nosler. I wish Browning made the 6.5 300; I have my heart set on another X Bolt….