Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

[bearhtr2]

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

 

[fseaman]

308

 

[Hand Skills]

270

 

[Hard rock]

270

While the 270 is hard to beat , the good old tried and true 7 mm rem mag in a fast twist barrel would definitely get the job done with a little extra to boot.I will through the 280 ai in the mix too.

 

[adam32+P]

270 win, 270 WSM, 270 Wby, 27 Nosler.

 

[Grease13]

6.5 PRC

 

[Ol' Red]

I have used 243, 308, 25-06, 270, 30-06 AND 300 Win mag. They all worked good. For the big boys I would probably leave the 243 at home.

 

[NorthernShot]

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.

 

[Hard rock]

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.

Yes sir you hit it on the nose , I have every cal cartridge and some not known to most men and they all work within there perimeters.

 

[tydaws]

6.5 CM

 

[257WHBY13]

6.5 PRC, but under 600 yards... no difference between 308, 270, 30/06, 280, 300 Win .......list goes on & on. Just put bullet in proper place.

 

[WV Hitman]

I've taken over 500 whitetails, a 176 & 184" mule deer, Coues, Carmen Mtn. whitetail, and 120" blacktail with my 6.5/.284 XP-100 handgun, plus a whole lot of African game.
This round kills way beyond what you would expect with much less recoil than the bigger rounds.

 

[tknuts103]

While I only use my 7 PRC... sure hard to beat a 25-06