what is the best rifle caliber for a mule deer at 200 yards

[Kody]

I have shot mule deer with light calibers like the 7MM Mauser at ranges out to that distance and would not hesitate to use a 25-05, 270 or 30-06 of course. However, I have had occasions when I encountered muley bucks so big, so muscled up they looked like a well bred horse If I ever get the opportunity to get a rifle on such a mule deer you had better believe I will be using something with some knock down power. A 300 Winchester Magnum would be my choice..why?? because I own one, I shoot it well and I would want a 30 cal bullet of good construction still traveling at high velocity and high energy at 200 yards to do the job. Of course any cartridge with similar ballistics would serve as well. The point is simply, if you get the chance at the buck of a lifetime you don't want to use a marginal cartridge.

[clayp1]

.264 Win Mag with 140 grain Nosler Partitions and 62 grains Retumbo powder.Drops them in there tracks.

[Jordan13]

7mm MAG

[dereckthomas]

try 762 by 54

[Griz Hunter]

7mm MAG

I started off hunting mule deer with a .300 Win Mag, went to a 30-06 a few years later, and a few years later went to a .243 Winchester. The .243 is lighter, has less recoil, and is highly effective on mule deer. In my experience, it is probably the optimum caliber for mule deer and antelope.

[Buckshott00]

300 Win. Mag

.300 win mag is a fantastic North American utility rifle

[Buckshott00]

So I personally believe that .280Rem is the ideal deer cartridge. Loaded up or down for anything in the cervid family, it is a cartridge that I believe is the best round for deer. I primarily hunt Large Northern Whitetail which are not as big as mule deer, but given the performance of this round especially optimized for a 163 or 165gr bullet, 200yds is still in the point blank range and will still have plenty enough power for an on the spot drop aka Boom-flop aka bang flop