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

[PrimalAuthority]

Just want see what everyone out there is still using for Mule Deer. For me it's 6.5 PRC, 7PRC, 300 win mag, 6.8 Western, 25wssm.

 

[PrimalAuthority]

Like I said above for me its. For me it's 6.5 PRC, 7PRC, 300 win mag, 6.8 Western, 25wssm.

 

[ScottR]

I love the 6.5 PRC for Mule Deer, I have killed quite a few of them with a .300 Win as well. However the 6.5 PRC is much more pleasant to shoot.

 

[JimP]

Mule deer are not hard to kill, hit them in the boiler room and they are going down.

I started with a 30 year old 30'06 that was given to me. When I decided to upgrade I moved on to a 7mm Rem Mag since I was also hunting elk. Now for deer I have moved on to a 25-06 unless I am also hunting elk and then I'll be packing my 340 Weatherby Mag.

 

[BrandonM]

Historically I've been a .30-06 guy, but the last few years I've really grown to love the 6.5 PRC. Last year I did some testing with that caliber and copper bullets....bomber combo!!!! This is my new go-to for most big game animals, including big bodied mule deer and elk. Love this combination.

 

[Timber Stalker]

Damn near every deer I I’ve killed in the last 40+ years was with my 25-06 most have been Blacktail but mule deer die just a quick.
Others I’ve used
.280AI
30-06
.300 wm

 

[dan maule]

257 wby, 300 wby, 280 rem, 30-06

 

[6mm Remington]

6mm Remington
25-06
280AI
30-06
300 WSM

 

[Turbodude]

I started w/30-06 but have recently been using a 6.5 CM for Muleys & WT’s.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Another vote for 25-06! I built my first one in the mid 1960's when it was still a wildcat (.25 Neider). My Dad talked me out of it and I bought a new M77 Ruger in 25-06 in 1970. I have not used any other cartridge since then for deer, antelope or feral hog and I have taken way over a hundred of them.
I do have a couple of 30-06s, a .243 and a .300 Wby. My elk (and larger) choice is my .300. No need to choose anything else.

 

[Lou (Louis)]

243
30-06
270

 

[Timber Stalker]

Looks like 30-06 for the win so far. Hard to beat the GOAT

 

[gonhunting247]

Every deer and elk I've ever killed in a modern firearm season, has been shot with my old 30.06 of Dad's that I sterted using at 12 years old (he officely gave it to me for my 16th birthday) or my 300 RUM that I won at a OHA banquet.

 

[gonhunting247]

Actually, I just remembered I did kill one spike elk with Dad's old .338 WM for sentimental/nostalgia after he passed away.

 

[idcwby]

Whatever is in my hands at the time.

 

[Timber Stalker]

Whatever is in my hands at the time.

Best so far!