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.

 

[RReuter]

I have used several over the years, but the ones that worked well for shots over 400 yards (hunting out west) are: 7PRC, 300PRC, 7WSM & 300 WM. All delivered instant knockdown power. Some other ones I have used for same distant shots were 6.5CM, 6PRC and did not have the knock down power and required 2 or 3 shot follow ups.

What bullet?

 

[azqcman]

What bullet?

For 7PRC- Hornday 175gr ELD-X
300PRC- Hendershots 200gr Acubond
7WSM- Choice 160gr Acubond
300WM- Nosler 180gr Accubond

 

[MountainMan83]

For me… 308, 308, and 308. Long time ago I decided I would go with one do it all rifle for all big game. I prefer light recoil, available ammo, and enough punch to take down moose so the 308 was it. The best rifle for you is the one you shoot accurately and can practice with frequently. Pair it with a good hunting round and I think you’ll be able to take down any big game including mule deer.