They should work quite fine for a mule deer.  While I haven't used the hpbp I have use the standard game king boat tail and had no problems with them bringing down deer or elk. 

Nice to hear, thank you.

Those HPBTs are supposed to be tougher than the standard gamekings.  I'm loading them for buddy's .270 this year at 140 grains for a mule deer hunt. 

Hunted with them for many years with drop at the shot performance on most deer till one rainy day in 1990.  Shot a soaking wet 220# buck at 210 yards and found the jacket just under the skin right behind the shoulder where the shot should be.  Luckily the core went into the lungs, but had lost so much omph that it barely left a scratch on the off side chest wall.  Figured the matted wet fur made it open to quick.  Started using Barnes X after that.

Since my gun likes the 165-168 size bullets I was able to shoot the Barnes original X and the Sierra without touching the scope.  Actually ended up shooting both for awhile depending on the weather.  If it was dry and I was in a stand it would be the Sierras if wet or slipping it would be the Barnes.  The Barnes drives on through and on whitetails does not spend nearly as much of its energy in the deer as the Sierra.  Now I just shoot the Barnes Triple X, but would not hesitate to use the Sierras that I still have loaded and in reserve.

thanks for the info Buc. Appretiate it.

My deer have been taken with a 130 grain winchester western silvertip (not the ballistic silvertip) out of a 270 winchester. I am starting to reload though and am thinking about coming up with a new load.

good luck with your load, let us know how you do

My first powder/bullet combo wasn't quite there. It was old H4831. I'll be trying imr4350 next. 

Tried IMR4895 / 43.6 grains with my 165 HPBT....WOW! Hole for hole!! Not the fastest load I have shot, but the accuracy is sweet. Only running about 2,600 fps but it is a tack puncher.