Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

[cajun]

The 7s are a very good platform for bullet weight and high BC.
I like the numbers on the 280 AI. The 7 saum is one of the few new cartridges that has grabbed my attention. If I ever pull the barrel on my varmint contour 308 its replacement just might be the 7 Saum. Though I'd have to have my bolt face opened up.

This is why the 7mm is king in long range target shooting. It's the best combination of bullet weight, bc and recoil. I'm talking f class and bench rest here. The prs guys like lower recoil so they can spot shots which is important in that game. So the fast 6's work better. But for a hunter why would I shoot a 108 grain 6 when I can shoot a 160-175 7 the same speed. At least that's my thinking. The 7saum has been around a while. Remington put it in their model 7. But the short magazine coal limits it's ability to shoot heavy bullets. In a longer action where you can run longer coal it's a pretty potent round.

 

[Buckfever34]

7SAUM is my current favorite.

I also loved my previous "go to" rifles which were chambered in .300 WIN and .300 RUM, respectively.

 

[Turpentine21]

This is why the 7mm is king in long range target shooting. It's the best combination of bullet weight, bc and recoil. I'm talking f class and bench rest here. The prs guys like lower recoil so they can spot shots which is important in that game. So the fast 6's work better. But for a hunter why would I shoot a 108 grain 6 when I can shoot a 160-175 7 the same speed. At least that's my thinking. The 7saum has been around a while. Remington put it in their model 7. But the short magazine coal limits it's ability to shoot heavy bullets. In a longer action where you can run longer coal it's a pretty potent round.

That's one reason why I prefer long actions. I find the short actions to be limiting as you point out. I can't get anywhere near the lands with my 700 Varmint in 308 unless I single load. It will be my last short action bolt gun. Truthfully most of my hunting out to 450-500 yards is done with my ARs in Grendel, Creedmore, and 7.62 x 51.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Given this description is there really any other answer than 6.5 Creedmoor?

 

[Roughrice]

Well… I've been watching and waiting but nobody mentioned my all time favorite!!!
So, I might be alone in the crowd!

The old national champion and parent of other national champions…..

284 WINCHESTER

Of course… it's a hand loaders cartridge.

 

[ObiJohn]

Absolutely positive. There is load data for it. It was named after the guy, I think a gunsmith, that designed it. It does around 2725fps with a 140 grain bullet. Google " 264 Leroy"

It's a 338mag case necked down to 6.5 caliber
Here is the link

Caliber .264 Leroy N.E. | Reloading Data

Reloading data for .264 Leroy N.E. cartridges and specifications for cases and loads in this caliber.

www.xxl-reloading.com

What will this do that a .264 Win Mag won't? Win developed the .264 as a necked down .338 Win Mag.

 

[nksmfamjp]

What will this do that a .264 Win Mag won't? Win developed the .264 as a necked down .338 Win Mag.

Are there other options that leave my shoulder in place? I'm tired of having my shoulder beat on to more kill.

 

[Turpentine21]

What will this do that a .264 Win Mag won't? Win developed the .264 as a necked down .338 Win Mag.

From the data I looked at it won't get close to the 264 win mag. It's a defunct cartridge from 1961. I liked the name and and was picking at Memtb since he likes the 338 so much.
That's one thing I don't get about the fad cartridges today. So many of these cartridges basically overlap with several others as far as performance goes. Things are getting more like the compound bow market where a new model comes out every year and people just have to have it since it's the new latest and greatest. But in reality last years model works just fine.

 

[Laguna Freak]

Looking for thoughts on what caliber you guys would pick as the most versatile caliber for western whitetail and mule deer in factory offerings?

Thanks,
Mike

Any .308 that will push the bullet 2800+ fps

 

[Sdogab]

Personal favorite is 22-250. Might try a 22cm next for brass availability. 75 eld m anywhere from 3100-3200 hits like Thor's hammer.

 

[cajun]

Personal favorite is 22-250. Might try a 22cm next for brass availability. 75 eld m anywhere from 3100-3200 hits like Thor's hammer.

In a 280 AI I can push a 150 eld that fast. Twice the mass at same speed.

 

[Sdogab]

In a 280 AI I can push a 150 eld that fast. Twice the mass at same speed.

. Can get a 75 eld m at 3700 with a 26" barrel in various 22 chamberings. I shoot suppressed with a 20" barrel and it kicks like nothing. You could shoot a 338 bullet at 3100fps too and I still wouldn't shoot it.. 75 eld m bucks wind and kills dead with little meat damage.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

In a 280 AI I can push a 150 eld that fast. Twice the mass at same speed.

With reasonable recoil, powder consumption and erosion rate.
AND find success with less than optimal shot angles

 

[Jnm300ultra]

Well… I've been watching and waiting but nobody mentioned my all time favorite!!!
So, I might be alone in the crowd!

The old national champion and parent of other national champions…..

284 WINCHESTER

Of course… it's a hand loaders cartridge.

I also like the 284 as long as it's a not a sammi chamber.I wish the 284 wasn't only for hand loads I loaded a 168 Berger in a Sammi coal and was scared because how much the bullet was in the case. It's a very accurate round, without all the recoil. I use mine in my a F Class rifle with 235 freebore. For my deer rifle I decided to go with a 280 Ackley instead. I wanted no have a few more options in brass and factory ammunition if needed. I believe I can squeeze a little more speed and the 280 Ackley is better for the heavier bullets. When I had my 280 Ackley built in 2021 I wish I would have known about the 7 Prc would probably have been my choice. This is just what I decided for my deer rifle.
Jason