In your opinion what 3-5 rifle cartridges are best for Mule Deer?

[okie archer]

Thank you sir. Not as nice as yours though.

 

[streamerfish]

Anything between .223 on the low end, and.....maybe 6.5 creed on the high end I guess. However many options that is.

Personally. I would go with something like....

6mm GT
6mm Creed
.243 (love for the legacies)
25-06 (love for the legacies)
25 Creed

 

[StupidLightweight]

Years ago, I read an article by Layne Simpson (I believe) on the best bullets diameters for deer hunting. He interviewed a longtime outfitter in the Carolinas who was meticulous about recording data like bullets used and distance traveled of the deer his clients killed.

Over the decades and hundreds and hundreds of deer kills, his data concluded that the best bullet diameters for quick kills were the .257s followed by the .243s. After that, it jumped around to .30 and then 7mm and so forth. It was an interesting article that I wish I could find again, but it mirrors exactly what many open-minded hunters are rediscovering about lethality.

I've seen a good number of deer die, and I don't believe anything kills deer faster than a 6mm Creedmoor/.243 Win./6mm Remington or .250 Savage/.257 Roberts/.25-06 when distances are reasonable and fast-expanding bullets are used.

 

[Fisherman5000]

Check out the 41 Great Lakes

 

[J_Dahl]

I had a 6 GT built on a win 70 short action and I love it. Brux 1:8 at 22”. BC stock with factory BDL metal and Timney at 2.5. I’m at 851 recorded shots and 4 deer kills from 200-330yards. 2 with 95 sst, 1 with sierra game changer, 1 with 103 eldx. Works well, Ive shot almost 100 deer now with calibers from .224-.308. Something in .264-.284 and 140gr would be my over all choice.

 

[coyotekilla]

Id choose either a 260 / 6.5 cm / sweede / prc. Cause they are balistically very simular.

Or a 243, 6cm, 6rem

Or 257 bob, 25cm, 25 06, 257 wby

 

[J_Dahl]

Take all common calibers and bullet weights and find the average, you should come up with something around .277-.284, 130-140gr

 

[KenLee]

Years ago, I read an article by Layne Simpson (I believe) on the best bullets diameters for deer hunting. He interviewed a longtime outfitter in the Carolinas who was meticulous about recording data like bullets used and distance traveled of the deer his clients killed.

Over the decades and hundreds and hundreds of deer kills, his data concluded that the best bullet diameters for quick kills were the .257s followed by the .243s. After that, it jumped around to .30 and then 7mm and so forth. It was an interesting article that I wish I could find again, but it mirrors exactly what many open-minded hunters are rediscovering about lethality.

I've seen a good number of deer die, and I don't believe anything kills deer faster than a 6mm Creedmoor/.243 Win./6mm Remington or .250 Savage/.257 Roberts/.25-06 when distances are reasonable and fast-expanding bullets are used.

Dang I need to dig out my micro medallion Bob and give her some love. Sweet little rifle.