Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

[Teri Anne]

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

For a Western hunt, which going to usually end up with shots at longer ranges I would recommend a 270, however another new cartridge that would also fill the bill without going overboard is the 6.8 Western. Heavier bullets, less recoil, great accuracy and a lot of knock down power. I have a 6.8 Western in a Winchester XPR that shoots sub MOA at 0.6 to 0.7 all day using Winchester ammo.

 

[Turpentine21]

This is for deer only in western states . Never seen any mule deer running around on the east coast side of the USA. I have been torn between a 7mm mag, 270 win or a 300 RUM. Wanting opinions from those more familiar with the area out there. I know not one caliber or bullet covers it all. But I have long favored the 7mm mag with a 160 Nosler partition for most all conditions.

Just to clarify I'm from the east but I shoot a lot of big bean fields and most of my shots fall between 250-500 yards. Shots to 700 yards are fairly common. Shot opportunities out to 900 yards are not uncommon. I've killed 12 animals this year from 550 to 895 with the 6.5-06 and 147 grain bullets. I can't imagine mule deer being that much tougher than a whitetail or large boar hog. The 270 with the right bullets will do the job. The 7 mag will too and you don't have to run it wide open either. A good friend shoots the 280 AI and it's a heck of a cartridge. The 6.5mm cartridges work very well. Especially in the 6.5-06-6.5prc range which includes 6.5-284. Most any cartridge in this range will work if you do your part.

 

[Roughrice]

All of the above… and 6.5-284 among the top of the list.

 

[med358-boise]

I would say "no such thing" as best. For 95% of all scenarios, there is not a whitetail or mule deer on the planet that is going to tell the difference between 2650 fps - 2950 fps, 130 grns to 180 grns, and .044 of bullet diameter when a bullet is placed into the vitals from 0 to 600 yards.

 

[cajun]

There isn't one. However imho 7 mm is the sweet spot between bullet weight, bc and sd. There is a reason the 7 mag was a huge hit. One of the few things remington did right. A fast twist 7 mag or 7 prc is hard to beat.

 

[wilkup]

Easy option- 7mm Rem Mag or 270 Win
Classy option - 257 Weatherby
Enjoy the journey and your hunt when it arrives.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

Choices are endless.
If Weatherby is a thought.
257 and 6.5/300.

 

[Dean2]

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

If I was strictly hunting deer, 257 Weatherby Mag followed by the 25-06. If I was trying to shoot them at over 800 yards regularly, 7 Mag of some sort because I can get much higher B.C. bullets.

Never used any of the Man Bun cartridges so can't speak to those.

 

[Laser Man]

Most of what I've read here comes down to personal preference. I too have shot deer with a variety of calibers. However, most of the deer and antelope as well as coyotes have been shot with a 243. The companies that provide ammunition have covered all the bases from deer to prairie dogs with the 243. It is also readily available. You can find it in nearly every gun shop and convenience store in the country. And yes, there are many other calibers that will get the job done. The 243 just happens to be my personal preference.

 

[Perman5]

Easy option- 7mm Rem Mag or 270 Win
Classy option - 257 Weatherby
Enjoy the journey and your hunt when it arrives.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I mean you really can't say it any better. Have used all three plus others and those are the top 3 for sure. If I had to choose one I'm taking my REM bdl 270. 22" barrel and all. We call it my rabbit gun but it drops elk/mule deer faster than my brothers 300 win mag

 

[Smokey Joe]

Lots of good choices.
I like nearly everything mentioned.
Ammo a little pricey but worth the joy.
257 Weatherby is not a wrong answer.

 

[Ol' Red]

I would say "no such thing" as best. For 95% of all scenarios, there is not a whitetail or mule deer on the planet that is going to tell the difference between 2650 fps - 2950 fps, 130 grns to 180 grns, and .044 of bullet diameter when a bullet is placed into the vitals from 0 to 600 yards.

I shot a whitetail on Saturday with a 117 grain bullet. He did not poke fun or laugh at me.

 

[khart1988]

I shot a whitetail on Saturday with a 117 grain bullet. He did not poke fun or laugh at me.

I bet you can hit them in the right spot with that little bullet, too! We've been doing the same with 62-77grainers for years.

To me, a very large portion of "most versatile" includes the gun you can stand to, and afford to, shoot and become familiar with most. Doesn't take an uber-mag to punch a devastating hole through a 10" wide animal.

 

[FEENIX]

This is for deer only in western states . Never seen any mule deer running around on the east coast side of the USA. I have been torn between a 7mm mag, 270 win or a 300 RUM. Wanting opinions from those more familiar with the area out there. I know not one caliber or bullet covers it all. But I have long favored the 7mm mag with a 160 Nosler partition for most all conditions.

I have chamberings in .25, 26. .27, .28, .30, and 33 caliber that far exceeds your intended purpose, but the .300 Win Mag remains my go-to chambering from antelope to elk size game up to 1000Y. Load them with 215 Berger, and you're golden. So yes, if you handload, you can have extended coverage with one bullet/chambering combination.