Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Is the 222 Too Light For Deer?

I've had only limited experience with the round and was wondering if it is adequate for mule deer?

I recently got an experienced Valmet 300 series O/U in 12ga and 222. Would it be best to have it re-chambered to 223?

I haven't checked the twist rate. What's customary for the 222?

Thanks in advance for your help and opinions.

Choose the wrong bullet and you will have a fine mess on your hands.

I'd look to either the 60gr NPT or the 64gr BSB.

I've been using the 222 with 50 gr Sierras for years.

Never lost one and I've killed a bunch of carolina white tail.

Typical is a 1-14" twist, I'd not count on either of the ones Sniper suggested stabilizing if it is indeed a 1-14" twist, but you can try.

Re-chambering ain't gonna help twist. That said, I'd throw some 55gr Hornadys through it and rock on.

I just worked up a load with 45 gr TSX's for my .222. Haven't shot anything with them yet, but am seriously contemplating it for my deer tag this year.

Yeah, 45's wouldn't suck either.

Common 222 ROT is 1-14".

If it's a 1/14 twist, that could depend on his altitude. At sea level, you could be right. In Colorado, then might stabilize.

Mines a 12 twist.

It will stabilize a flat base 63 gr bullet; I'll let my daughter use it this year.

We are at about 600 ASL

I assume that 63gr is the Sierra game king?

That should work just fine at .222 velocities.

I hope she gets a chance to try it out.

I've seen RWE's .222 sluice deer just fine.

IIRC, it stabilizes the Nosler flat base fine, as well as Sierras.

If only his full-grown adult rifles were as reliable...

I hope its not too light for mule deer, cause Im planning on using mine, with 55 grain Hornadys in it this fall....



I know the deuce works on even big whitetail...

Match it up with a Sierra 1365 55 grain SBT Game King and go kill your deer. The 223 doesn't offer enough more to worry about.

And when you're done deer hunting the Valmet will make a great calling rifle and that bullet is a good fur bullet.

Elevation ranges from 5,500-9,000 feet.

I just found an old box of Sierra ".224 High Velocity 63gr Semi-pointed" among my many various boxes of 22 bullets.

They are a bit short for weight, and I think they might be the answer if I can conjure a load.

Then you should be good with the 60gr NPT.

Anecdotal and sample of two, but I have cleanly killed two mule deer with my 222 and 65gr Sierra GameKing. 1:9 twist and one recovered bullet that weighs 62.9gr.

Obviously the pics by experienced hunters prove a .222 will kill a deer. Why someone would choose it, when they have other options, is beyond me.

I have no doubt

I've killed a few with it loaded with 52-3 gr HP. Put 'em in the ribs and it's a non-issue.