Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

[wilkup]

Really it depends on the shooter, the rifle, and what you can shoot accurately. With the bullets and rifle options available today it comes down to how well you can solve and shoot in the wind and what you are willing to carry for a rifle. Best all around to me means most versatile, able to do the job with the widest array of variables. The big 338s then the big 30s followed by the big 7s down to whatever package you can shoot accurately to the desired distance is the answer. Not the same for everyone. Accuracy is ultimately the key, and that is why the 6.5s are so popular now. Placement beats displacement if you have to choose one over the other. The OP is a question with no answer or a thousand answers. Ok, seriously, everyone knows the 6.5x284N is far and away the best deer cartridge ever brought to market...if you can't manage the 338RUM/Edge

But are you sure the 338 RUM/Edge is up to the task…?

 

[340 in Va]

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.

Trying the 6.5 for the first time this year,6.5 RPM with 143 ELD-X at 3125. This would work for whitetail or mule deer.

 

[340 in Va]

The majority of this thread is stuck in the 1970s lol.

70s was fine, 243 with 4x weaver to 300 or so.

 

[wilkup]

70s was fine, 243 with 4x weaver to 300 or so.

I think I'd rather go further back to the 50s/60s if I'm already go way back in time. I've seen the photos of giants my great grandfather/uncles took down in the PNW.

 

[memtb]

The big 338s then the big 30s followed by the big 7s down to whatever package you can shoot accurately to the desired distance is the answer. Not the same for everyone.

I really wanted to go to the .338's…..but figured it would not receive a warm welcome! memtb

 

[memtb]

I really wanted to go to the .338's…..but figured it would not receive a warm welcome! memtb

It's my wife's "go to" caliber (338 WM) for everything, Pronghorns to moose…..so far.

Maybe she'll get to use it on some other critters one day! memtb

 

[Turpentine21]

I really wanted to go to the .338's…..but figured it would not receive a warm welcome! memtb

Man it's a free country and your money. You can go to a 375 or one of the 4's if you want. I'm behind you 100%. Whatever blows your dress up! I personally would love to have a Cheytech 408 or a Barret 50. Why? Just because! I'd hunt with them too. I also stumbled on a cartridge the other night that I'd like to have. The 264 Leroy N.E. Why you might ask? Because it has a cool name and I don't know anyone that has one.

 

[memtb]

Man it's a free country and your money. You can go to a 375 or one of the 4's if you want. I'm behind you 100%. Whatever blows your dress up! I personally would love to have a Cheytech 408 or a Barret 50. Why? Just because! I'd hunt with them too. I also stumbled on a cartridge the other night that I'd like to have. The 264 Leroy N.E. Why you might ask? Because it has a cool name and I don't know anyone that has one.

I have an acquaintance that has a .375 Cheytec. Sweet cartridge, but I think that the recoil may be a bit intimidating in a sub 9# package! memtb

 

[Ol' Red]

Man it's a free country and your money. You can go to a 375 or one of the 4's if you want. I'm behind you 100%. Whatever blows your dress up! I personally would love to have a Cheytech 408 or a Barret 50. Why? Just because! I'd hunt with them too. I also stumbled on a cartridge the other night that I'd like to have. The 264 Leroy N.E. Why you might ask? Because it has a cool name and I don't know anyone that has one.

264 Leroy N.E. ? Are you sure that's not an address?

 

[Turpentine21]

264 Leroy N.E. ? Are you sure that's not an address?

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

 

[Recon$$]

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.

The rifle and bullet you want validated will work just fine.

 

[Turpentine21]

I

I have an acquaintance that has a .375 Cheytec. Sweet cartridge, but I think that the recoil may be a bit intimidating in a sub 9# package! memtb

I have no doubt.
The link to the 264 Leroy is posted above. It's based on the 338 Win mag case. This cartridge is Taylor Made for you.

 

[Rflshootr]

Just thoughts based on experience from people that use those three calibers. If they had to just pick one, which would it be? I reload so bullet selection and powder i have covered for most anything. My nephew and son in laws all are all planning on a hunt out west soon and I will be joining them for one last adventure.

For me, I have all of them. But having to just pick one for the most versatile, moderate recoil, accuracy, longest barrel life, and affordability to shoot, I'd go to the 308 Win. It's the cheapest to shoot (practice, practice, practice), very easy to get good components for, and uses the least amount of powder to get the job done with efficiency. When hand loading, there is a very wide selection of bullets, both weight and type, that you can tailor to every need from varmints to big game. It's easy to load for and is the most inherently accurate of the 3. It's not a new fancy cartridge, but it's a time proven performer that will do most anything within reason that you ask of it.

 

[ARlife4me]

while you did ask about caliber and not cartridge, i'll say a 22cal works fine as that's what i killed my 1st mulie with. cartridge is all about how much speed you want per barrel length!