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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
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.
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,963 |
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.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
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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.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
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.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19,516
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19,516 |
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.
MAGA
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
Yeah, 45's wouldn't suck either.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
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Joined: Nov 2011
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,963 |
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. 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.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
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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
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
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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.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453 |
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...
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
Re-chambering ain't gonna help twist. That said, I'd throw some 55gr Hornadys through it and rock on.
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...
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,843 |
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.
Last edited by mart; 09/02/15.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
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. 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. Elevation ranges from 5,500-9,000 feet.
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
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.
Hunt with Class and Classics
Religion: A founder of The Church of Spray and Pray
Acquit v. t. To render a judgment in a murder case in San Francisco... EQUAL, adj. As bad as something else. Ambrose Bierce “The Devil's Dictionary”
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,963
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,963 |
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. 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. Elevation ranges from 5,500-9,000 feet. Then you should be good with the 60gr NPT.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,925
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,925 |
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.
Arcus Venator
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
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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.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
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"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
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I've killed a few with it loaded with 52-3 gr HP. Put 'em in the ribs and it's a non-issue.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
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