I've never hunted whitetails so I don't know if its better than mule deer. I think mule deer is the most challenging and it is fun to hunt them up in the high country.
I like to use a series of different calls. I like to use the Sceery closed reed cottontail rabit, the Wayne Carlton open reed, and the Primos three in one call. the sceery and wayne calls i use for the coyotes and the primos for the bobcat and fox.
I shoot a Ruger 243 improved, with 70 grain nosler bullets. You might thinks these heavy loads might blow up a pelt, but actually they leave real small holes.