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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted.
Last edited by Live2hunt941; 05/21/20.
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Do some thread searching on here. Been hashed out a couple dozen times at least.
Personally I've shot several with 53 gr TSX and 62 gr TTSX way further than 125 yards. Mine is my go to rifle when not in bear country.
MAGA
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I've had great results with a 22-250 and proper bullets for deer and bear.
Whats the rate of twist on your rifles barrel?
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Campfire Oracle
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Yep. Load with proper bullets and use with complete confidence.....
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger.
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My wife shoots a Ruger M77 in 22-250 and kills the snot out of everything she shoots at. i load the 50 grain Barnes TSX with a max charge of IMR4895 at a touch over 3700 FPS. She's killed a couple of 275-300 lb. hogs with complete pass throughs and they only gone 20 yards max. The deer don't even stand a chance with that combination. I"ve only had to look for one deer and that was her fault. She got nervous and shot at the buck while he was moving. I found the deer and finished it off, but it wan't gonna live anyway. All of her shots have been at the ranges you're talking about.
I'm thinking about moving her up to the the 55 gr. TSX or the 62 gr. TSX. I found a good load with the 55 gr. Winchester PP a couple of weeks ago, but I'm not sure how well that bullet will perform at 3700 FPS.
The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!
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I have used the 65 grain Sierra on whitetail and never had one get up after the shot
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You'll do fine with the '250, bullets built for the task, and sane shots. I've shot quite a few deer with 60 grain Partitions and have never had the need for a second shot or any kind of rodeo involved to get something killed. My nephews shot 4 deer last year with their RAR's, 1-8 twisted 250's and things went superb.
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I've had great results with a 22-250 and proper bullets for deer and bear.
Whats the rate of twist on your rifles barrel? Which bullets have you used?
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I picked up some MidwayUSA nameless bullets, found out they were Horn TAP-SBR 75 gr. bullets, not available in their catalog. They shot very well in my 8 twist Shilen barreled Mohawk. No hogs yet, too many other projects in front of this one. I think they'd do a job on whatever... DF ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/8pBODZW.jpg)
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I've had great results with a 22-250 and proper bullets for deer and bear.
Whats the rate of twist on your rifles barrel? Which bullets have you used? 53 tsx, 55 hornady sp, 55 winchester sp, 63 sierra smp, 64 nosler solid base, 75 amax. All have worked well when bullet construction is given a thought as to shot placement.
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Hit'em right, they die.
DF
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. I don't understand how it's even controversial anymore given bullet selection. If someone's going to cry over a lost animal, I doubt chambering selection really matters. They'll find something to cry about and absolve themselves of responsibility or be unable to chock it up to schist happens.
MAGA
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Kids kill WT's all the time with .223's.
But, with grown up's it's all different.
Ask Ingwe if a .223 can kill a WT or a hog.
DF
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That 60 Grain Partition at 22-250 speeds is instant lights out.
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Sorry if I was beating a dead horse with this question. Not even sure of twist rate yet. Winchester model 70 lightweight Stainless barrel with blued receiver. Push feed of course. It's clover leafing Remington 55psp factory loads. Will try Winchester 64 gr and maybe federal premium 60 gr nosler partition next. Thanks for all the input
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Live2hunt,
Do you handload?
If shooting factory only I'd look hard at the federal fusion, I believe the 55 grain bullet is used in that offering.
I haven't used that bullet in 22-250 but have in the 223 and it's been impressive.
Also if you can get 55 grain hornady soft points they work great on broadside shots.
If you ever question a fast 22 cals killing ability on big game, go through scenarshooter's old posts and see the game he has killed with a 220 swift and standard cup and core bullets
Also, welcome to the Fire!
Last edited by Dude270; 05/21/20.
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60 grain Partition works as do several other 55 grain bullets. A deer isn't a very big critter, 250# on a good sized one here, still a smallish animal. About what this one weighed. Was kiiled with a 22-250 & a 60 grain Partiton. Have killed quite a few others with same combo as well as 55 grain bullets, mainly 55 grain Sierra Gamekings. Gamekings kill lime lightning contrary to what other "think". ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/kg7j1mWK/20200517-184510.jpg)
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 05/21/20.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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10ga,
Were you using the hp or sp gameking? I've shot both but never used either on a deer.
The 63 Sierra works great on deer too
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We do large scale deer drives and hunt as a gang. Several generations of family members and friends. All the “old guard” sports sako foresters in 22-250. You couldn’t walk around the pile of deer killed with 22-250s.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger. Guy in Louisiana did just that. Got in big trouble. Possum cops got his trophy, caused him some serious misery .224 is min caliber legal here. So, be careful. DF
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The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger. Guy in Louisiana did just that. Got in big trouble. Possum cops got his trophy, caused him some serious misery .224 is min caliber legal here. So, be careful. DF Did the man tell on himself? Just wondering how the Rabbit Sheriff knew that he had used a 204. Regardless, you can kill deer with a harsh word if you have to. I cannot understand the caliber restriction garbage.
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them."
-Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Campfire Oracle
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"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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10ga,
Were you using the hp or sp gameking? I've shot both but never used either on a deer.
The 63 Sierra works great on deer too SP.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Oracle
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I dunno if they work on pigs either..usually I use a .223 ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/N9co9v4.jpg)
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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I have used the 65 grain Sierra on whitetail and never had one get up after the shot My go to bullets in 22-250 and 223
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger. Guy in Louisiana did just that. Got in big trouble. Possum cops got his trophy, caused him some serious misery .224 is min caliber legal here. So, be careful. DF Did the man tell on himself? Just wondering how the Rabbit Sheriff knew that he had used a 204. Regardless, you can kill deer with a harsh word if you have to. I cannot understand the caliber restriction garbage. Yep, told on himself, didn't know. Now, if he'd have said any other caliber, no problem. Possum cops went by his testimony. It was nice enough trophy to be written up in a local sportsman rag. Guess them dudes can read... Who'd a thought. DF
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338 Win Mag is the smallest cartridge that will kill a doe.
Bucks you have to step up to a 404 Jeffery.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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338 Win Mag is the smallest cartridge that will kill a doe.
Bucks you have to step up to a 404 Jeffery. Have built both, traded both. Am now into trick shooting WT’s and hogs with minimalist ordinance. But, you make a valid point. Bigger definitely better. DF
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A 45-50 grain Barns X nudging 4000 FPS should be devastating.
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If your barrel is a fast twist, I'd think the Speer 75 gr Gold Dots would make a heck of a deer bullet out of a .22-250.
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22-250 to light for Deer ?? An emphatic no!
Arcus Venator
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Campfire 'Bwana
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If your barrel is a fast twist, I'd think the Speer 75 gr Gold Dots would make a heck of a deer bullet out of a .22-250. Yep. DF
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338 Win Mag is the smallest cartridge that will kill a doe.
Bucks you have to step up to a 404 Jeffery. Have built both, traded both. Am now into trick shooting WT’s and hogs with minimalist ordinance. But, you make a valid point. Bigger definitely better. DF That 404 has got to be no fun off a bench! Probably no load developing there.
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. What do you consider to be the minimum cartridge acceptable to hunt deer?
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Campfire 'Bwana
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338 Win Mag is the smallest cartridge that will kill a doe.
Bucks you have to step up to a 404 Jeffery. Have built both, traded both. Am now into trick shooting WT’s and hogs with minimalist ordinance. But, you make a valid point. Bigger definitely better. DF That 404 has got to be no fun off a bench! Probably no load developing there. No, it doesn't take too long to move to another rifle. Actually, I helped a good bud with a .416 Rem build on an old M-70 Push Feed. I used my standing bench like Elmer advocated. That's a lot better than being pinned down on a sitting bench with a big gun like that. Standing, you sorta get pushed back, not brutal like from a sitting position. DF
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. What do you consider to be the minimum cartridge acceptable to hunt deer? .22 WMR with a bright light...  I've heard such, can't testify...  DF
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Ask this guy what a 22-250 can do. ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/dthb4hp9/alaskan-main.jpg)
Music washes away the dust of everyday life Some people wait a lifetime to meet their favorite hunting and shooting buddy. Mine calls me dad ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/ZCL8Ws2r/JohnGult.jpg)
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Campfire Oracle
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. I love this stuff...
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire Greenhorn
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No issue with that caliber on deer sized game if you are a competent shooter and use good/premium bullets. I plan on building a .22-250 with fast twist (1 in 7") barrel to run the 77gr Barnes LRX bullets.
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. I love this stuff... I always get a smile out of it too. If a guy can shoot stuff generally dies easy, regardless of caliber. If I wasn’t stuck posting from my work phone I would be tempted to hang some pics of deer and pigs that fell to such mighty cartridges as the 17Rem, 222 Mag, 223, 38Sp, and 9mm.
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Have used mine for some meat shoots (doe hunts around feed lots), but I'd not use it to go after potentially trophy sized bucks in big sky country
1Minute
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. I love this stuff... They just don’t know the fine points of trick shooting. Look what they missing. DF
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Campfire Oracle
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. I love this stuff... I always get a smile out of it too. If a guy can shoot stuff generally dies easy, regardless of caliber. If I wasn’t stuck posting from my work phone I would be tempted to hang some pics of deer and pigs that fell to such mighty cartridges as the 17Rem, 222 Mag, 223, 38Sp, and 9mm. I havent killed any pigs with the .38 or 9mm (yet...)but have used the .222 and .223 on a bunch of them....and thanks to you...I'm gonna hafta shoot one with the .17 Rem....
Last edited by ingwe; 05/22/20.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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I have never used a small caliber like the 22-250 but years ago when I only had two center fire rifles I had my 22-250 with me as a back up, I just never needed it. I have seen deer killed with a 223 so I see no problem. My personal feeling is that I would want to make sure that I was using a bullet made for hunting and not an explosive varmint bullet. Although years ago I saw a whitetail shot with an explosive varmint bullet out of a 223 and it went between the ribs and exploded in one lung. The deer spun in circles until it went down. Maybe others can share experience on using an explosive varmint bullet.
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. That statement tells me all I need to know. You have never used one, but heard blah, blah, blah. A poor shot, is a poor shot no matter if it is a 22-250 or 300 magnum. Shot placement trumps! Plain and simple. We have used the 22-250 on over 3 dozen deer/antelope, and GASP! even a 222 on about 1/2 dozen. 53gr TSX out of the 250 and 63gr Sierra out of the 222. Never had an issue, but the bullets landed where they were supposed to. 
Last edited by CRS; 05/22/20.
Arcus Venator
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. That statement tells me all I need to know. You have never used one, but heard blah, blah, blah. A poor shot, is a poor shot no matter if it is a 22-250 or 300 magnum. Shot placement trumps! Plain and simple. We have used the 22-250 on over 3 dozen deer/antelope, and GASP! even a 222 on about 1/2 dozen. 53gr TSX out of the 250 and 63gr Sierra out of the 222. Never had an issue, but the bullets landed where they were supposed to. Reckon that had something to do with it? DF
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Might have something to do with it. In 40 years of hunting I have lost two deer while hunting with rifles. One with a 243, and another with a 270. Both were piss poor shot placement and both deer were killed by other hunters.
Arcus Venator
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Of course the 22-250 is more than adequate for any North American game, just ask the Campfire. Whatever you do, don’t put a Leupold scope on it or it wouldn’t be worth taking on a mouse safari.
I was thinking the other day how much I used to hate Bill Clinton. He was freaking George Washington compared to what they are now.
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Of course the 22-250 is more than adequate for any North American game, just ask the Campfire. Whatever you do, don’t put a Leupold scope on it or it wouldn’t be worth taking on a mouse safari. Thats all truth, even if it was said tongue in cheek..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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My daughter shot her first deer with a 22-250, a Ruger Flat Bolt that has been in the family since '70 or so. The shot was a quartering shot with the deer facing slightly toward her. It broke the large joint in the front shoulder, took out a few inches of scapula, went through the deer length-wise, broke a rear leg bone on the opposite side and "over-penetrated' leaving a 3/4" or so exit. I would say it works just fine, but we were using a good bullet--in this case a Nosler Bonded Solid Base. I've also shot a few large hogs with the same load with excellent results.I would have no problem shooting a cow elk with this Nosler load in a 22-250 if legal, broadside and the range wasn't too far. It's got the expansion and penetration to do the job.
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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted. The 22-250 would not be my first choice. But people use a 222, 223 and 22-250 all the time for deer. I assume you are talking about white-tail deer? If I were hunting in the mountains for mule deer I would not use a 22-250. Having a game animal run down a ravine isn't much fun. If white tail or smaller and on the plains and using a good bullet, yes the 22-250 is adequate. I have killed exactly one white tail with a 22-250, the only one I've shot at with that caliber, so I am no expert. One more thing, if I were to be using a 22-250 on deer I'd likely be aiming for the chest cavity (or a brain shot) and not a shoulder.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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If one hasn’t used a .223 or .22-250 and thinks they are not enough, or are unwilling to recognize the experience of others who have, then they have nothing but what they think to go on.
Others who have experience or an inquisitive mind are not so handicapped.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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I’ve seen a Barnes out of a .223 and .22-250 brake both shoulders on Whitetails 3 or 4 times....seen another go in the chest and come out the ham...seen them kill quickly out to around 220....
laissez les bons temps rouler
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I have stated this before, I will take any shot with a 22-250 and 53gr TSX that I would take with a 270, 7mm-08 or bigger. Have broken more than a few shoulders.
I have never recovered that particular bullet. I did find a petal once in the tissue surrounding the vertebrae though.
Ghast! We even used a Leupold scope. It now wears a Nightforce as I have been playing with dial twisting. Not a Leupold strength.
Arcus Venator
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The 64 gr ww pp sure works on antelope don't know why it would not work on deer as well with proper shot placement same as anything else. MB
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted. One more thing, if I were to be using a 22-250 on deer I'd likely be aiming for the chest cavity (or a brain shot) and not a shoulder. Give me those 60 grain Partitions and shoulders are easily broken.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. What personal experiences have led you to believe a 22-250 is a light caliber for deer? I use a 223 and have zero complaints.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. What personal experiences have led you to believe a 22-250 is a light caliber for deer? I use a 223 and have zero complaints. Youngsters kill WT’s and hogs with .223’s all the time. Lots of reports, pictures with dead critters. But, for some mysterious reason, puberty and adulthood somehow changes the equation and the ballistics. .224 is no longer a lethal or viable game killing caliber. It is a curiosity, but seems to be a prevalent urban myth. I’m all for bigger stuff. Folks at my deer camp would probably sniff if I took my .22-250 to the deer stand. But they let kids shoot .223’s. So, I humor them, use my Creed and up from there. .243 would be marginal in their thinking. No problem. I don’t have one, do have a .240. It’s not marginal. I mostly shoot 6.5 CM, 6.5-284, 7-08, .308, ‘06, .338-06, etc. Need to try my .375 H&H one of these days. I’m sure they’d comment about the “elephant” gun, etc. Too much gun. Spell check just wrote “too much fun”, maybe I shouldn’t have corrected it. This computer may be onto something. DF
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I was killing deer with .222's, ,223's and .22-250's long before any of these super "deer bullets" even existed. Folks who think it takes super special bullets to kill deer with a .22 crack me up. You must have listened to all the old gun rag hacks that repeatedly said .22 centerfires were not adequate for deer because the bullets would blow up on the surface and not penetrate deep enough to kill. Those gun rag hacks were full of shyt all along. I have killed dozens of deer with ordinary 50 and 55 grain soft points from .222's and .223's and never had that happen. One of the biggest bucks I've ever killed fell instantly to one 50 gr. Nosler solid base through the lungs from a .222..
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I was killing deer with .222's, ,223's and .22-250's long before any of these super "deer bullets" even existed. Folks who think it takes super special bullets to kill deer with a .22 crack me up. You must have listened to all the old gun rag hacks that repeatedly said .22 centerfires were not adequate for deer because the bullets would blow up on the surface and not penetrate deep enough to kill. Those gun rag hacks were full of shyt all along. I have killed dozens of deer with ordinary 50 and 55 grain soft points from .222's and .223's and never had that happen. One of the biggest bucks I've ever killed fell instantly to one 50 gr. Nosler solid base through the lungs from a .222.. I grew up with a bunch of guys that used running hounds on coyotes. They mainly ran 22-250s because of their speed and ability to catch a running coyote. Some used 223s. Most of the guys used the same rifle 1 week out of the year for deer and used a 52 grain match bullet or 55 grain Gameking bullet on both the deer and coyotes. Never heard em complain about having issues killing deer. Wonder if some of this stuff is regional or not.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Take a 64gr Winchester Power Point, seat it on a max load of W760/H414 with a Magnum rifle primer. It will not bounce off a deer.
The anti American Constitutional party (Democrat). Wants to dismantle your rights, limiting every aspect of your constitutional rights. Death by 1000 cuts is the tactic. Each cut bleeds constitutional rights to control you. Control is the goal.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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People forget P. O. Ackley’s writings on killing donkeys with a .220 Swift using light bullets.
Could probably Google it. He was impressed with terminal performance.
DF
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I was killing deer with .222's, ,223's and .22-250's long before any of these super "deer bullets" even existed. Folks who think it takes super special bullets to kill deer with a .22 crack me up. You must have listened to all the old gun rag hacks that repeatedly said .22 centerfires were not adequate for deer because the bullets would blow up on the surface and not penetrate deep enough to kill. Those gun rag hacks were full of shyt all along. I have killed dozens of deer with ordinary 50 and 55 grain soft points from .222's and .223's and never had that happen. One of the biggest bucks I've ever killed fell instantly to one 50 gr. Nosler solid base through the lungs from a .222.. I grew up with a bunch of guys that used running hounds on coyotes. They mainly ran 22-250s because of their speed and ability to catch a running coyote. Some used 223s. Most of the guys used the same rifle 1 week out of the year for deer and used a 52 grain match bullet or 55 grain Gameking bullet on both the deer and coyotes. Never heard em complain about having issues killing deer. Wonder if some of this stuff is regional or not. I don't know if it's a regional thing. I do know quite a few guys here who kill varmints/predators and deer with .223's and .22-250's without complaints and that many if not most of them use the same bullets for both.
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In my opinion it is not too light a cartridge for deer.
Conventional bullets like the 55gr Horandy SP or the 63gr SMP Sierra have proved themselves as quite effective for the smaller deer.
And there are other bullets, like Barnes' or the 60gr Partition will provide the extra penetration with which to feel more comfortable with the larger deer.
Wether it is an adequate choice or not will depend mostly in your markmanship, your hunting style and the kind of terrain you hunt in.
Bearing in mind that no caliber size will make it up for poor bullet placement,
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Big Deer little Deer....How does one know which you are going to cross paths with? Let's leave it to Whitetails....In the Northern States you can run into some big body Deer, but not always....Even down in Southern Georgia they have been known to kill Whitetails that go over 200 pounds...Here in Pa. you may see one around 100 or over 200 pounds. Blackhart has some really big bodied Deer where he hunts, but the crew gets along fine with run of the mill .223 bullets... They are Whitetails and not big or small Grizzlies..how much more penetration does one need for a 100 pound Buck vs a 200-225 pounder? I use Barnes and know I don't have to think about what size may come thru the woods.... Eskimo's and .223's and .243''s taking on Bears and Moose.... Don't know if that is still true today, but at one time it was....Deer fall to pretty much a wide range of arrow weights and poundages, yet when we start throwing bullets at them it becomes a big vs small???? Or with a .22-250, stay of shoulders or better yet shoot them in the head.... I'm with the poster who wrote.... I don't pass on any Deer I would shoot with a 7mm-08, .270, .30-06, etc....and another who said Kid's do just fine with them, but why do Adults think they need more.... This would be a 55grain Barnes, from a lowly .223AI that plowed thru around 4 inches of spinal cord from a head-on shot, at around 120yards....I doubt the shoulders of a big one would have stopped it.... ![[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49929922526_a87e267cd6_z.jpg)
Last edited by battue; 05/24/20.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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I shot two bucks one afternoon (a young 9 point and a older fat 6 point) broke both shoulders on the 6 and lung shot the 9. Neither had any problems giving up the ghost. This was with the 223 Rem and the 53 TSX.
Is the 22-250 enough for deer? I will let you know this fall as I grabbed a Model 7 predator and will bloody it this fall using the Hornady 55 SP.
I expect a full cooler.
GreggH
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People forget P. O. Ackley’s writings on killing donkeys with a .220 Swift using light bullets.
Could probably Google it. He was impressed with terminal performance.
DF
Frank Glaser, The Wolf Man of Alaska, when supplying meat for railroad crews, killed over a thousand Dall sheep, along with Moose and everything else Alaska has to offer with a .220Swift....He was a gun guy, and said with the exception of Grizzlies, he thought the Swift was the fastest killer of any caliber he ever used...
Last edited by battue; 05/24/20.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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310 yards with 60gr. Hornady soft point ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/1vMM6GX.jpg) Put two in him but the second was just insurance. Both exited. He had survived two arrow pass throughs, so about as tough as they come.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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People forget P. O. Ackley’s writings on killing donkeys with a .220 Swift using light bullets.
Could probably Google it. He was impressed with terminal performance.
DF
Frank Glaser, The Wolf Man of Alaska, when supplying meat for railroad crews, killed over a thousand Dall sheep, along with Moose and everything else Alaska has to offer with a .220Swift....He was a gun guy, and said with the exception of Grizzlies, he thought the Swift was the fastest killer of any caliber he ever used... That was a great book. I enjoyed it. Would recommend it to anyone bored during this virus fiasco. Ya reckon Ackley and Glaser knew of what they spoke and wrote? DF
Last edited by Dirtfarmer; 05/24/20.
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I've got a 1-9 twist 22-250 and I grab it out of the safe about as often as any rifle in there. Works fine.
I've also killed several with slow twist barrels using the 55gr Hornady SP.
Last edited by TATELAW; 05/24/20.
Those who must raise their voice to get their point across are generally not intelligent enough to do so in any other way.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Mine is 8 twist, but P. O. and Frank ran std .220’s, no fast twist. They used light bullets and killed stuff.
One can just about duplicate .220 loads with the .22-250, pretty close. Same principle.
Fast twist with heavier bullets works well, don’t doubt what light bullets at 4K fps can do.
Those guys for sure knew.
DF
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People forget P. O. Ackley’s writings on killing donkeys with a .220 Swift using light bullets.
Could probably Google it. He was impressed with terminal performance.
DF
Frank Glaser, The Wolf Man of Alaska, when supplying meat for railroad crews, killed over a thousand Dall sheep, along with Moose and everything else Alaska has to offer with a .220Swift....He was a gun guy, and said with the exception of Grizzlies, he thought the Swift was the fastest killer of any caliber he ever used... That was a great book. I enjoyed it. Would recommend it to anyone bored during this virus fiasco. Ya reckon Ackley and Glaser knew of what they spoke and wrote? DF Yep!! Long live the Swift......
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Great cartridge for prairie dogs to deer!!!
Biden's most truthful quote ever came during his first press conference, 03/25/21.
Drum roll please...... "I don't know, to be clear." and THAT is one promise he's kept!!!
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Great cartridge for prairie dogs to deer!!! Was for sure cutting edge for its time. Not too shabby today. I’m thinking it must have been about the first hyper vel factory round. M-70 was (is) a great rifle and evidently factory ammo was pretty good. DF
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Yeah, they work and if that is all you have use it. Take care to place your shot like should all ways be done. If you have a tight twist and can use the heavy 22's so much the better. Still better is the .24's with 100+ gr bullets or heavier. MB
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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[quote=Nebraska]
I’m thinking it must have been about the first hyper vel factory round.
DF: As a factory round, the 220 Swift preceded it by quite a bit and was/is even more hyper, although not as popular...
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[quote=Nebraska]
I’m thinking it must have been about the first hyper vel factory round.
DF: As a factory round, the 220 Swift preceded it by quite a bit and was/is even more hyper, although not as popular... Was referring to the Swift. We had gotten side tracked on the Swift, with Ackley and Glaser info. DF
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Ah. I see that now.. Sorry...
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Ah. I see that now.. Sorry... Nah. You got it. DF
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Campfire Kahuna
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used a lot of 63 Sierra semi points many years ago. I"d use TTSX these days if I owned one. Deer are not hard to kill.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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I have a 220 and used it to shoot some deer and pigs back in the 80’s. I was host guiding on big leases in south Texas, and I wasn’t supposed to shoot deer, but to see that the customers did. I used the 220 mostly on coyotes so I’d have something to shoot. Never failed though that the ranch manager would call me on the Jeep radio and tell me that the customers were crummy shots, and if I didn’t shoot something we’d have no supper. At first I used my coyote bullet, which was a 55 gr Nosler SBBT. That was not a good choice for shooting deer, so I transitioned to the 63 gr Sierra SMP. That one worked pretty good if I could place the bullet well.
My opinion: Don’t shoot deer with 22 cal varmint bullets. Get a good tough bullet.
As for stabilization, my 14 twist won’t quite stabilize the 60 gr Partition. Absolutely won’t stabilize the 64 gr Nosler Bonded SB, and is so far from stabilizing the 65 gr Sierra GK that when I shot them at 100 yards, I have no idea where the bullets went.
In my 223, I have had fine results with the 60 gr Partition and the 65 gr Sierra GK, but the Sierra is more accurate in my rifle.
Also in the 80’s, a few friends and I were invited on a high dollar pig hunt in south Texas. I took my 270, but one buddy didn’t have a rifle, so I loaned him the 220. I had loaded up some 63 gr Sierras, but I really wasn’t sure how that 220 would work on hogs, with any bullet. Well, we were up on a high rack on back of a Jeep, and here came a medium size hog at a run. My buddy shot it behind the shoulder and the pig plowed a groove with his snout. Seriously dead. And he shot a few more that weekend, and I think he collected them all.
So yes, you can deer and pig hunt with a 22-250 or a 220, but there are better options. But...If I could stabilize that 65 gr Sierra GK in my 220, I’d deer hunt with it.
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Serious question for those in the know
Given the most effective bullet in each cartridge, which would be more effective on deer or black bear- the 22/250 or the 243?
I am wondering if the higher velocity of the 22/250 trumps the heavier bullet weight of the 22/250.
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Serious question for those in the know
Given the most effective bullet in each cartridge, which would be more effective on deer or black bear- the 22/250 or the 243?
I am wondering if the higher velocity of the 22/250 trumps the heavier bullet weight of the 22/250. You can get good speeds with an 80 or 85 grain bullet in the 243 and see mostly DRT kills. 100 grain Sierra Gamekings will give mostly DRT kills in the 243 as well. The 55 Gameking and 100 Gameking kill deer very well. Not much difference on Missouri whitetails. 60 grain Partitons kill deer very easily too as do 95 grain Partitons from my 6mm. Place the bullets in same spot and the end result will be hanging deer. Not sure about the bears though.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 05/25/20.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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People forget P. O. Ackley’s writings on killing donkeys with a .220 Swift using light bullets.
Could probably Google it. He was impressed with terminal performance.
DF
Frank Glaser, The Wolf Man of Alaska, when supplying meat for railroad crews, killed over a thousand Dall sheep, along with Moose and everything else Alaska has to offer with a .220Swift....He was a gun guy, and said with the exception of Grizzlies, he thought the Swift was the fastest killer of any caliber he ever used... That was a great book. I enjoyed it. Would recommend it to anyone bored during this virus fiasco. Ya reckon Ackley and Glaser knew of what they spoke and wrote? DF Yep!! Long live the Swift...... IIRC, you ended up with a good one... DF
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People forget P. O. Ackley’s writings on killing donkeys with a .220 Swift using light bullets.
Could probably Google it. He was impressed with terminal performance.
DF
Frank Glaser, The Wolf Man of Alaska, when supplying meat for railroad crews, killed over a thousand Dall sheep, along with Moose and everything else Alaska has to offer with a .220Swift....He was a gun guy, and said with the exception of Grizzlies, he thought the Swift was the fastest killer of any caliber he ever used... That was a great book. I enjoyed it. Would recommend it to anyone bored during this virus fiasco. Ya reckon Ackley and Glaser knew of what they spoke and wrote? DF Yep!! Long live the Swift...... IIRC, you ended up with a good one... DF Sure did!! Plus a couple of fast twists as well!!
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So I guess the parent cartridge .250-3000, aka .250 Savage, would be overkill? Why not bump up to 87 and 100 gr in a .257 if heavier bullets are the goal? Happy Trails
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
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Serious question for those in the know
Given the most effective bullet in each cartridge, which would be more effective on deer or black bear- the 22/250 or the 243?
I am wondering if the higher velocity of the 22/250 trumps the heavier bullet weight of the 22/250. You can get good speeds with an 80 or 85 grain bullet in the 243 and see mostly DRT kills. 100 grain Sierra Gamekings will give mostly DRT kills in the 243 as well. The 55 Gameking and 100 Gameking kill deer very well. Not much difference on Missouri whitetails. 60 grain Partitons kill deer very easily too as do 95 grain Partitons from my 6mm. Place the bullets in same spot and the end result will be hanging deer. Not sure about the bears though. I honestly haven't seen much difference between the .223, 22-250 and .243 myself. All will turn a deers lungs to soup. You don't pull the lungs out of a deer shot with any of them, you pour them out. I've killed a lot of deer with a .30-30 and it's been a favorite of mine for decades but there is no doubt a .223 or .22-250 trashes a deers lungs far worse than the old .30-30 does. Have never used any "stout" bullets like TSX or partitions in the .22 CF's either. Just those dreaded "varmint bullets" that are so woefully inadequate for the job. Mostly I've just stuck with the 55 gr. Hornady sp for years and they always get the job done expeditiously. I have used others in the past and did try the 65 gr. Sierra but can't say that it worked one bit better and maybe not as well.
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Hard to argue with the people that used one successfully, I never have and doubt I ever will. I would not have confidence in a 22 cal for deer. Also there is talk on the net that our game dept. is considering banning 22 cals for deer and requiring 243/6mm and up, so at some point it may not be legal here. But could be just net rumor.
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Hard to argue with the people that used one successfully, I never have and doubt I ever will. I would not have confidence in a 22 cal for deer. Also there is talk on the net that our game dept. is considering banning 22 cals for deer and requiring 243/6mm and up, so at some point it may not be legal here. But could be just net rumor. Pennsultucky still no go on semis for the Bambis? 'Member that as one of the few drawbacks of the Keystone state. It'd figure jackwagonrific cal restrictions for deer season might come along.
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Yes no semi rifles for deer but rimfire semis allowed for small game. Some see the possible 22 centerfire ban for deer as a play to restrict AR type rifles for hunting but plenty of ARs in larger calibers so not sure how restricting 22 does that. I wouldn't use a semi for deer, I'm old school, but don't have a problem with those who would.
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Yes no semi rifles for deer but rimfire semis allowed for small game. Some see the possible 22 centerfire ban for deer as a play to restrict AR type rifles for hunting but plenty of ARs in larger calibers so not sure how restricting 22 does that. I wouldn't use a semi for deer, I'm old school, but don't have a problem with those who would. A lot of "old school" semis out there.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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P.S. This year they are allowing 3 Sundays for hunting that they have designated. The Sunday hunting thing is another issue PA is still in the stone age with, besides semi rifles. Hopefully this opens the gate for all Sunday hunting throughout any open season.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Yes no semi rifles for deer but rimfire semis allowed for small game. Some see the possible 22 centerfire ban for deer as a play to restrict AR type rifles for hunting but plenty of ARs in larger calibers so not sure how restricting 22 does that. I wouldn't use a semi for deer, I'm old school, but don't have a problem with those who would. Semi RIFLES, for small game, but not semi pistols, for some reason. The underlying sentiment regarding cartridges in Pa, is that a 30-06 is needed to kill a deer. Everything of less power, is suspect.
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Hard to argue with the people that used one successfully, I never have and doubt I ever will. I would not have confidence in a 22 cal for deer. Also there is talk on the net that our game dept. is considering banning 22 cals for deer and requiring 243/6mm and up, so at some point it may not be legal here. But could be just net rumor. People need regulated when they are too stupid to use common sense.
I was thinking the other day how much I used to hate Bill Clinton. He was freaking George Washington compared to what they are now.
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Campfire Ranger
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Anybody who can't kill deer stone cold dead day after day with a .22-250 is no good at hunting and should probably find another hobby like maybe bingo or knitting.
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Campfire Regular
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Hard to argue with the people that used one successfully, I never have and doubt I ever will. I would not have confidence in a 22 cal for deer. Also there is talk on the net that our game dept. is considering banning 22 cals for deer and requiring 243/6mm and up, so at some point it may not be legal here. But could be just net rumor. People need regulated when they are too stupid to use common sense. Spoken like every freedom, loving conservative; NEVER.
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Campfire Ranger
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Serious question for those in the know
Given the most effective bullet in each cartridge, which would be more effective on deer or black bear- the 22/250 or the 243?
I am wondering if the higher velocity of the 22/250 trumps the heavier bullet weight of the 22/250. You can get good speeds with an 80 or 85 grain bullet in the 243 and see mostly DRT kills. 100 grain Sierra Gamekings will give mostly DRT kills in the 243 as well. The 55 Gameking and 100 Gameking kill deer very well. Not much difference on Missouri whitetails. 60 grain Partitons kill deer very easily too as do 95 grain Partitons from my 6mm. Place the bullets in same spot and the end result will be hanging deer. Not sure about the bears though. I honestly haven't seen much difference between the .223, 22-250 and .243 myself. All will turn a deers lungs to soup. You don't pull the lungs out of a deer shot with any of them, you pour them out. I've killed a lot of deer with a .30-30 and it's been a favorite of mine for decades but there is no doubt a .223 or .22-250 trashes a deers lungs far worse than the old .30-30 does. Have never used any "stout" bullets like TSX or partitions in the .22 CF's either. Just those dreaded "varmint bullets" that are so woefully inadequate for the job. Mostly I've just stuck with the 55 gr. Hornady sp for years and they always get the job done expeditiously. I have used others in the past and did try the 65 gr. Sierra but can't say that it worked one bit better and maybe not as well. My thoughts exactly. That's why I referenced the 55 grain Gameking compared to the 100 and the 60 grain Partition compared to the 95. All kill deer about the same.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Tracker
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One of the first posters said he shoots a bullet at 3,700 fps. With the " new bullets" . With all that speed , and if the bullet doesn't break up, that changes everything. At 3,700 fps, that is twice the speed of some of those old 32 special and older 30-30 loads. I just dont think you need as much bullet as you used to need. The guys who say bunk with the . 22cal. and then a bunch of guys say the results are fantastic, you cant just say they are imagining it. I laugh sometimes cause 8 yrs ago I went from a .270 Win to a .243 Win . and felt that was a bit light. If you take a bullet at 3,700 fps. That is not a bullet anymore, it's a bomb when it hits the vitals and I imagine it is as much as the concussion as much as the blood loss. If you double the speed, you quadruple the foot pounds . . My next gun will likely be a .223 Rem. with a small frame for walking. No added weight for the bullets like my 45-70 Gov. I swear 10 rounds adds a pound in my pocket with that gun.
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
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Mine has the slow twist. The only big game animal I've shot with it is an antelope. A 55 gr Sierra leveled it. The lungs were mush.
I'd use it more but with the large varmint scope, it weighs more than my 30-06 so what's the point?
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. What do you consider to be the minimum cartridge acceptable to hunt deer? .22 WMR with a bright light... I've heard such, can't testify... DF I've heard they do that down the road from here a piece, but I'm not sure, could be just hearsay, LOL!!!
Last edited by Filaman; 06/20/20.
What goes up must come down, what goes around comes around, there's no free lunch. Trump's comin' back, get over it!
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I really don’t understand why people have to use that light a caliber. If they loose a big animal they will cry like babies. What do you consider to be the minimum cartridge acceptable to hunt deer? .22 WMR with a bright light... I've heard such, can't testify... DF I've heard tell they do that down the road a piece from here, but I'm not sure, could be just hearsay.......
Last edited by Filaman; 06/20/20.
What goes up must come down, what goes around comes around, there's no free lunch. Trump's comin' back, get over it!
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If you have a slow twist barrel and you're not comfortable with a Spiter light enough to stabilize in it, try the Speer 70 grain Semi Spitzer. My Remington 700 .22-250 stabilizes 'em with it's 1:14 twist, but i've heard it won't stabilize in some barrels. When you work your load up you will see if it stabilizes in your rifle.
Here in the center of the Texas Gulf Coast and most places in Texas, other than the South Texas Brush Country, the deer aren't elk size by a long shot. The .22-250 AND the .223 kill a truck load of deer every year with 50-55 grain bullets. As somebodies sig line on here says, "if you want to kill a deer DRT shoot it in the ear hole." Both .22-250s and .223s with a light bullet will kill all the deer you can haul off like that. As is said on here all the time, it's all about shot placement.
Last edited by Filaman; 06/20/20.
What goes up must come down, what goes around comes around, there's no free lunch. Trump's comin' back, get over it!
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I have taken a many a deer with a 222,223,& 22-250 and a 53gr Barnes bullet.
Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.
Just because you're offended doesn't mean your right.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I think it depends on what year. When did the bullets everyone recommends come out?
FUGK CCP
It’s time to WAKE UP
GOD BLESS THE USA
WWG1WGA
THERE ARE NO COINCIDENCES
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Campfire Outfitter
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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted. Shouldn't be a problem. I prefer bigger bullets but the year I only had a .22-250, I ate venison. Main thing, IMHO, is to stick with head shots or heart / lung shots rather than trying to break shoulders etc which are easy with an '06 and 180s but a bit much to ask of a .22 with 60s. Watch your twist. 60 grain bullets in a 1-14" twist .. some will probably stabilize, many will not. Best chance of stability will be with a flat base bullet with exposed lead like the Hornady 60 grain soft point. Longer bullets ... boat tails, partitions, hollow points, and polymer tipped bullets ... are less likely to stabilize. If you've got a 1-12" or faster twist then they all should work. The year I used the .22-250, we could still buy the 55 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and they were MOA-accurate in my worn out Remington 700 LVSF. I've seen the 64 grain WW power point bullets and 63 grain Sierra semi-spitzers stabilize in barrels that would not stabilize the longer, pointier 60s, so those are worth consideration as well. Tom
Anyone who thinks there's two sides to everything hasn't met a M�bius strip.
Here be dragons ...
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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted. Shouldn't be a problem. I prefer bigger bullets but the year I only had a .22-250, I ate venison. Main thing, IMHO, is to stick with head shots or heart / lung shots rather than trying to break shoulders etc which are easy with an '06 and 180s but a bit much to ask of a .22 with 60s... You’re kidding right?
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For years I’d been toying with the idea of trying the 22/250, so around 2009 I finally bought one. Figured the best way to have my questions answered was to find out first hand.
Mine is a slow twist, but stabilizes the 60 Partition pretty well. My daughter and I killed several deer with it, but after reading about the Sierra 63 SMP, I worked up a good load and tried it. We’ve killed a lot of deer with it, and it serves as my coyote load as well. I gotta admit, it’s one of the most fun rifles I have, and I grab it when it’s not in my daughter’s hands.
I’ve taken the exact same shots that I take with other rifles, and it kills at least as well as they do.
Hope you enjoy it.
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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted. Shouldn't be a problem. I prefer bigger bullets but the year I only had a .22-250, I ate venison. Main thing, IMHO, is to stick with head shots or heart / lung shots rather than trying to break shoulders etc which are easy with an '06 and 180s but a bit much to ask of a .22 with 60s... You’re kidding right? Likely not. Ignorance appears to be trophy around here.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Shots would be 125yrds max where it would be hunted and would be using a 60gr bullet minimum opinions wanted. Shouldn't be a problem. I prefer bigger bullets but the year I only had a .22-250, I ate venison. Main thing, IMHO, is to stick with head shots or heart / lung shots rather than trying to break shoulders etc which are easy with an '06 and 180s but a bit much to ask of a .22 with 60s... You’re kidding right? Don't let this guy know a 60 through both blades isn't possible. ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/tCXbXCrV/20200517-184510.jpg)
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Basically a light 25-06...
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Basically a light 25-06... That pushes bullets 3500+
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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I’d never shoot over a 50gr barnes at small deer
Fück Joe byron
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Elmer Keith is rolling over in his grave.
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Campfire Outfitter
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I'll happily argue caliber choices with Elmer Keith's ghost as I gut the next buck killed with a 22 caliber bullet.
I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I shot most all of my deer and antelope in high school with a .22-250 and plain jane Wally Word 55 grain soft points. Never an issue.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I shot most all of my deer and antelope in high school with a .22-250 and plain jane Wally Word 55 grain soft points. Never an issue. Sacrilege! 😬😎
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog
“Molon Labe”
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Please share some of your loads for the Sierra 63 gr. SMP as I want to try this bullet.
Thanks in advance.
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
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Please share some of your loads for the Sierra 63 gr. SMP as I want to try this bullet.
Thanks in advance. I can;'t help you on that cause Ive only used that bullet in a .223 and .223AI... Old friend Dober turned me on to that bullet, which he has used with great success in a .22-250...deer antelope and bears-up to big ones!- Another favorite for the deer and antelope of his is the 60 gr. Hornady HP. Check out the Hodgdon website for tons of data with that bullet http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle
"...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
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Please share some of your loads for the Sierra 63 gr. SMP as I want to try this bullet.
Thanks in advance. Ove had good luck with that bullet and 34.0 grains of varget in several different rifles.
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Campfire Tracker
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I have read so many reports on the 22 cal. bullets that I am convinced they are a better deer caliber than the larger calibers. There is something about how the bullet enters the body and just turns the insides out and kills from shock and tissue damage. The reason I am bringing up this old thread is cause I believe the day is coming that we will face enough reloading shortages that it will all but force us to use less components. No one that thinks a .223 Rem is too small thinks a 30-06 is too small for a 800? lb moose. If an 06 is big enough for a moose , a .223 rem is big enough for a 200lb. deer. In just 5 yrs. we saw a box deer ammo go from $18 a box to $30 a box. In 10 yrs the .270 WIn/ 30-06 ammo will be $50. Gun powder will almost surely be $70 lb. , cases being copper and zink will be more and primers will be $15 /100. I think the .223 Rem, with small rifle primers , 25 gr powder is going to be a more popular big game cartridge.. Heck , the day may come when we can't even find large rifle primers. I dont need any , but have not seen them in over a year neither. I went from a .270 Win. to a .243 WIn. and I am convinced it does more tissue damage and has more shock than my .270Win. I am sure it is cause a .270 Win. is just much bigger than we need for deer. After a while bigger is not better. I think the smaller calibers with the new deer bullets are better killers than the larger calibers. My ...270 Win. puts them down a little faster with a shoulder shot. They drop right there, when they run 30 yds with a .243 Win shoulder shot. However , I have seen the .243 WIn puts them down faster when it goes through the heart/ lungs , and even kidney shots drop them faster than my .270 Win/ 130 gr. No?
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
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I had injured my shoulder working in the oil patch. A group of us went to Montana and purchased mule deer doe tags when they had an over abundance. I was using my 22-250 with a 55 sierra boat tail bullet. There were some deer standing on the ridge of a watering hole. Picked out the biggest doe and shot her behind the front shoulder at about 150 yards. I lost her at recoil but the man with me said she took off with the others. He was wrong because she has simply dropped down off the ridge.
It was a super clean deadly shot but I didn’t choose the 22-250 as a deer rifle based on that. As a matter of fact I hunted with mainly 30 caliber for about 50 years and dropped one this year at 560 yards with a 308.
My suggestion is to use what you feel comfortable with. Edk
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I do too. I also looked at IMR powder on Grafs. I think the IMR 4350 is $65.00 lb. now days... This might be part of the reason so many are going with smaller calibers. Components are really getting expensive , and to make matters worse, they are getting hard to find.. Lots of small rifle primers,, but large rifle are nowhere to be found. Luckily I dont use many large rifle and have plenty. I just wonder what it woudl be like if my primers went bad, or got wet, or a fire.. There would hardly be a way to get large rifle.
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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It is all about shot placement.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Elmer Keith is rolling over in his grave. I think Elmer would want an X-bullet for prairie dogs 😳
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
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I used a boat paddle Ruger 77MKII for a couple of seasons with plan old 64 (?) grain Winchester Power Points and had no trouble killing deer or anything else with them. Still got the rifle but haven't shot it in 20 years . Really prefer something a hair bigger but yup, they kill deer just fine if you hit them where your supposed to just like a .458 Win Mag would.
Grumpy old man with a gun.....Do not touch .
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Don't bother my monument and I'll leave yours alone.
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Elmer Keith is rolling over in his grave. I think Elmer would want an X-bullet for prairie dogs 😳 In a .375 Whelan.
Grumpy old man with a gun.....Do not touch .
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Don't bother my monument and I'll leave yours alone.
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I shot a doe with a 22-250 this weekend (last weekend of MLD season) and she never took a step.
Load was 31.3 gr. Varget and a Hornady 80 gr. ELD-X bullet. I was very pleased with the performance of this bullet and will be using alot more of them.
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The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger. Guy in Louisiana did just that. Got in big trouble. Possum cops got his trophy, caused him some serious misery .224 is min caliber legal here. So, be careful. DF The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger. Guy in Louisiana did just that. Got in big trouble. Possum cops got his trophy, caused him some serious misery .224 is min caliber legal here. So, be careful. DF The 60 grain Partition and 64 grain PP have been effective on whitetails for me.
Shoot 'em through the lungs with a properly constructed bullet that hits them with enough velocity to expand said bullet and they die,regardless of the diameter of the bullet. If Nosler made a 20 caliber Partition I'd shoot deer with the 204 Ruger. Guy in Louisiana did just that. Got in big trouble. Possum cops got his trophy, caused him some serious misery .224 is min caliber legal here. So, be careful. DF That guy use to be my neighbor and that deer was a giant
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Why would you want to use such a small caliber on a deer sized animal. There are so many calibers more suited for deer and larger animals. Next the fools will be out there hunting deer with a .22.
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Campfire Ranger
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Why would you want to use such a small caliber on a deer sized animal. There are so many calibers more suited for deer and larger animals. Next the fools will be out there hunting deer with a .22. A 22-250 is a .22 caliber. Not like a deer is a very large, hard to kill animal. I can't tell much difference between a 22-250 or 6mm. Both kill whitetails with very little drama. I can't tell much difference in anything even up to 30-06 except for a few times they looked like they were actually hit a little harder with a 30-06 but there was still a 30-50 yard death run. My most impressive DRT kills though were with a .270 and 130 grain Sierra Gamekings at less than 50 yards. Put a lot of hair in the cool morning air with the sunlight making those hairs look like little stars.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 02/29/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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I wouldn’t feel super comfortable using one on the big Midwest whitetails but the smaller southern deer I think a 22-250 would be fine!
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I've mentioned it before that I'd not want a .22 centerfire as my primary deer rifle for all conditions, as we get so few shot opportunities at mature bucks per season where I hunt and shot presentations aren't always ideal. With that being said, a decent .22 bullet certainly seems to work just fine when you can pick a decent neck/shoulder/lung shot placement on a deer or hog. With a suppressor it almost feels like shooting them with a .22LR.
Now with even more aplomb
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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The .22’s with the right bullet are more than adequate for our WT’s and hogs.
Where I hunt, the powers that be like 6mm and up. Now, I could use my .22-250, 8 twist, with 75-80 gr bullets. If I didn’t hit one such as they drop DRT or don’t travel far, OK.
If a less than great hit, they’d probably squawk about .22 cal deer guns. But kids kill WT’s all the time with .223’s.
Go figure.
DF
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I've mentioned it before that I'd not want a .22 centerfire as my primary deer rifle for all conditions, as we get so few shot opportunities at mature bucks per season where I hunt and shot presentations aren't always ideal. With that being said, a decent .22 bullet certainly seems to work just fine when you can pick a decent neck/shoulder/lung shot placement on a deer or hog. With a suppressor it almost feels like shooting them with a .22LR. Yep to all of that. And I have killed dozens of deer with .224 cal. cartridges. I don't use them anymore. I ain't scared of .30 cal recoil and with a medium weight for cal. bullet they do tend to penetrate, provide a larger exit more dependably and put more blood on the ground more often than any .22... If you hunt from a stand in more open conditions and can pick your shots over food plots, feeders or crop fields the .22's are fine.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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The .22’s with the right bullet are more than adequate for our WT’s and hogs.
Where I hunt, the powers that be like 6mm and up. Now, I could use my .22-250, 8 twist, with 75-80 gr bullets. If I didn’t hit one such as they drop DRT or don’t travel far, OK.
If a less than great hit, they’d probably squawk about .22 cal deer guns. But kids kill WT’s all the time with .223’s.
Go figure.
DF Kids aren't normally still hunting or tracking in heavy cover and taking shots at bad angles. I killed my first deer at the age of 12 with a .22 LR bullet to the head. Anything can work under the right conditions.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,107 |
The .22’s with the right bullet are more than adequate for our WT’s and hogs.
Where I hunt, the powers that be like 6mm and up. Now, I could use my .22-250, 8 twist, with 75-80 gr bullets. If I didn’t hit one such as they drop DRT or don’t travel far, OK.
If a less than great hit, they’d probably squawk about .22 cal deer guns. But kids kill WT’s all the time with .223’s.
Go figure.
DF Kids aren't normally still hunting or tracking in heavy cover and taking shots at bad angles. I killed my first deer at the age of 12 with a .22 LR bullet to the head. Anything can work under the right conditions. Good point. I use a 7-08 and it suits me fine. See no need to push the envelope. DF
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Joined: Oct 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914 |
I wouldn’t feel super comfortable using one on the big Midwest whitetails but the smaller southern deer I think a 22-250 would be fine! This guy didn't know the difference. 15-20 yards. 22-250 loaded with a 60 grain Partition. Through the blades and a 50 yard death run. ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/28jyzTmZ/Screenshot-20231112-204910-Photos.jpg)
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 02/29/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Feb 2020
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I know folks that swear by the center fire .22s and are careful shots. It’s a more than adequate gun for them BUT they’re typically in the open and either are a good enough shot the deer are DRT or they can see the deer fall after a run. Where I hunt, I really like an entrance wound and an exit with a good blood trail. Lots of palmettos and I’ve trailed many deer where there was never a drop of blood on the ground, it was all on the palmetto leaves. A centerfire.22 won’t reliably give an exit, so I won’t use one but they’ll certainly kill a deer, I just don’t like to spend that much time looking for them.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,777
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,777 |
Cousin who purchases an orchard permit in WVa each January, was out with his wife's family up from Florida each year.
That one year back in the 70s, they weren't seeing anything to take for the week. Got home the last day and his wife tells him there is a dead buck up by some apple trees, from out of the kitchen window.. about a 250 yd shot.
Ben asked her what she shot it with, and she said the one rifle you left behind here...it was loaded, so I shot it in the head from here....Adults didn't believe it, so they sent the two nephews up there to see if there was a deer up there. They came back with their pants on fire, telling the adult males there was a big old dead buck up there... The Men folk go up and sure enough there is a dead buck. They at first couldn't figure out where she hit it, until one noticed that one eye was gone and the off side ear had a big hole in it. She had said she aimed at the eye.
Ben takes several deer a month, every month, all year, with that orchard permit, that the state charged $2.00 for back in the early 70s.. just purchased it at the county court house. It was good for up to 25 deer. His boys grew up on venison, and pork.
After a couple of years, Ben quit using his other rifles and just used that Rem 700 in 22.250. All he ever used for ammo, was Remington ammo with a 55 gr SP. He quit shooting deer 2 seasons ago, in 2022. Killed the largest buck yet, and decided it was time to hang it up.. its just them and his grandson... Ben is 73 now and is moving slower these days. he's sold off all of his rifles long ago.. but kept one shotgun and that Model 700 in 22.250. That rifle has taken 20 something plus deer a year since about 1974 or 1975. Multiply that by 47 years or so.
So Ben will certainly tell ya a 22.250 will take a deer down, all day long.
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 320
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Joined: Jun 2017
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22-250 will work well to 200 yds. If your a reloder try some 65 grain game kings. They work we'll out of our 223s. My boy started with the 223 and the deer he's killed may have ran 40 yds. Best wishes and hopefully they tag something
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,460
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
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When I lived in Texas, the 55 grain TTSX was responsible for a truckload of gut piles. I was shooting a 22-250 and a 223. The little partition worked well too!
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Joined: Jun 2017
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The .22-250 is best known as a varmint round so that should tell you something. It can surely kill a deer but there are scores of better cartridges for deer hunting. Would not be a good feeling at all having a deer get away wounded and then you wondering if maybe you should have used a more potent round.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,088
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,088 |
The .22-250 is best known as a varmint round so that should tell you something. It can surely kill a deer but there are scores of better cartridges for deer hunting. Would not be a good feeling at all having a deer get away wounded and then you wondering if maybe you should have used a more potent round. JFC. Out of curiosity, what spurred you to come back and post so much after a 6.5 year absence?
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,341 |
The only big game I've shot with mine is an antelope a few years ago with a 55gr bullet. It hammered him. Mine has a 12 twist and craps out above 60 gr. It weighs a lb. more than my 30-06 so I see no earthly reason I should use it.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,735
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,735 |
Back in 2000, I was recovering from a neck fusion. I shot 220 Swift with a muzzlebrake (at my wife's insistence!) and the then available Federal Premium factory 220 S using the 55gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaw. Shota mule deer in Utah, and down in Texas shot an axis doe, and two nice BlackBuck antelope. Only issue I had was the wind blew that little blunt Bearclaw around like crazy! That's my only complaint. My older girl cousin has used the 22-250/33 sp factory for SE Texas deer for decades. Small deer, usually shot off corn feeders up close anyhow. We were all raised by Great Depression Survivor Dads that were adverse to wasting any meat, at all! ha. I personally knew grown men ( when I was a 30-30 users as a teen) who laughed at my Big Gun while they used the 22 Hornet, .222, and then the Nam Vets used the Ruger Mini 14 on everything!
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The 22-250 was once used quite a bit on the prairies. I 've used one from time to time with very good results.
However I have never heard of anyone ever using any thing lighter than a 55grain bullet (in 22-250) on deer or antlope.
Most of the people I once knew who used to use the 22-250 have graduated to the 243 or 25-06 due to the fact that more and more areas are requesting a 24 or larger cal. for deer hunting.
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Campfire Tracker
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I meant 55gr soft point, not 33gr. That sounds like a 204! ha
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,925
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
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I know folks that swear by the center fire .22s and are careful shots. It’s a more than adequate gun for them BUT they’re typically in the open and either are a good enough shot the deer are DRT or they can see the deer fall after a run. Where I hunt, I really like an entrance wound and an exit with a good blood trail. Lots of palmettos and I’ve trailed many deer where there was never a drop of blood on the ground, it was all on the palmetto leaves. A centerfire.22 won’t reliably give an exit, so I won’t use one but they’ll certainly kill a deer, I just don’t like to spend that much time looking for them. Country you hunt is a very valid reason to use a bigger diameter bullet. In my experience, bigger diameter bullets from 338 and up leave a great blood trail, if not anchoring on the spot. Where I typically hunt, 100-150 yard recovery is no big deal. Bigger diameters definitely cause more meat loss. But losing a deer in thick cover is the most meat loss you can have.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,896 |
I know folks that swear by the center fire .22s and are careful shots. It’s a more than adequate gun for them BUT they’re typically in the open and either are a good enough shot the deer are DRT or they can see the deer fall after a run. Where I hunt, I really like an entrance wound and an exit with a good blood trail. Lots of palmettos and I’ve trailed many deer where there was never a drop of blood on the ground, it was all on the palmetto leaves. A centerfire.22 won’t reliably give an exit, so I won’t use one but they’ll certainly kill a deer, I just don’t like to spend that much time looking for them. I can’t see a 77 LRX at 22-250 velocities having much trouble exiting on deer. But whatever.
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,417
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,417 |
Louisiana deer or British Columbia deer?
White Tail doe or large Mule Deer buck?
50 yards or 350?
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,107
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,107 |
Yeah, depends on the deer, depends on the bullet, depends on the shooter and depends on the rules where ya hunting.
More questions than answers.
DF
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
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Louisiana deer or British Columbia deer?
White Tail doe or large Mule Deer buck?
50 yards or 350? Have never shot a deer in LA or BC. Did shoot a WT doe at 410 yards with a 22-250 and 53gr TSX. Biggest bodied deer I ever shot was a stag mule deer with a 222 and 65gr Sierra.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
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Louisiana deer or British Columbia deer?
White Tail doe or large Mule Deer buck?
50 yards or 350? Any of them. Some guys make this stuff way more difficult than it needs to be.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,781
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,781 |
Another stupid thread. If you have to ask this question, you need a bigger gun.
Molon Labe
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914 |
Louisiana deer or British Columbia deer?
White Tail doe or large Mule Deer buck?
50 yards or 350? Mid Missouri. 15-300+ never seen even 250# deer handle a 50-60 grain bullet through the lungs. Even a large mule deer buck isn't a very large animal.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914 |
I wouldn’t feel super comfortable using one on the big Midwest whitetails but the smaller southern deer I think a 22-250 would be fine! This guy didn't know the difference. 15-20 yards. 22-250 loaded with a 60 grain Partition. Through the blades and a 50 yard death run. Have posted this several times. Never felt undergunned or worried if the cartridge was up to the task. I know my shooting abilities and know game is just flesh and blood whether 5 pounds or 500# it all dies pretty easily when the vitals are damaged. Crazy guys think it takes so much horsepower to kill a critter but an arrow has little energy and kills via the same method as a bullet but we need huge amounts of tissue damage for a bullet to kill.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 03/21/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Mar 2024
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The .22-250 certainly can kill a white tail. That's not a question that anyone should ask. The question is whether *you* can kill a deer with a .22-250 under your usual hunting conditions. It's far better to use a rifle with which you are very familiar and very comfortable than anything else. If I was teaching a new hunter, I'd prefer to give them a .22-250 they were able to shoot often and become proficient with than to give them a .30-06 they were going to shoot less than 20 times a year. Even though I regard the .30-06 as the "one cartridge to rule them all" for North American game, a lot of people just won't use it enough because it's a bit expensive and kicks a fair amount.
Growing up, I never had the luxury of having specialized rifles the way I do now. I had a .270 Winchester which I used for everything. I shot ground hogs with it all summer and then shot white tails with it in the fall. Later on, I picked up a .25-06 with which I became even more proficient. I'd shoot at anything in North America with that .25-06 with 117/120 grain bullets knowing that the bullet is going to go exactly where I want it to go with that rifle. I'd be better off with that rifle than with any of my others (which I frankly don't need, but it gives me joy to have them).
The smallest caliber I have ever personally used on a deer was a .22 LR. A deer walked up to me with no face the day after black powder season ended - someone had tried a headshot on it and blown off its lower jaw and most of the snout - he was clearly in extreme distress. I ran to the truck and grabbed my Nylon 66. I shot him between the eyes and he dropped. That doesn't make .22 LR an ethical deer cartridge. But proper shot placement matters more than anything. I found out later that one of my neighbors had shot the deer with one of those scope-mounted modern muzzleloaders that sends a heavy solid copper bullet at something like 2600 FPS. It doesn't matter what you use if you miss the vital parts. But it makes me sick to think that his weapon counts as a "primitive weapon" while my .45-70 or .50-70 Govt doesn't.
And even with proper shot placement and a good bullet, there is no guaranteed one-shot drop that works every time. I've seen a deer run 800 meters after taking a .270 Winchester to the heart and lungs. We followed the blood trail from point of impact to the downed animal. It was a good strong blood trail the whole way. My brother swore he placed the bullet just right. Under my breath, I was cursing my brother for gut-shooting the damned thing, but it turned out he shot the damned thing through the heart and both lungs. The deer didn't have much inside his chest cavity besides pink and red clots, but he still ran. That kind of stuff can happen no matter what cartridge you use.
I've also had a deer show no sign that I even hit him with my .25-06, leave no visible blood trail, but drop dead after 50-60 yards. I could have sworn I somehow missed him, but out of diligence I started sweeping back and forth the direction he ran. I found him crumpled behind a fallen tree. Again, solid shot through the heart. Bullet performed as expected, but not every deer will drop with one well-placed shot.
Here in Virginia, it's illegal to use rifles below .224 on deer. It hasn't stopped a lot of bubbas out in my neighborhood from using a .223 or .22-250, but I have too much to lose to do something contrary to the laws of the Commonwealth. As someone who carried a 5.56 and depended on it for my life - and know that it works just fine on 150-250 pound animals - I would never doubt that a hunter can kill deer with that caliber. I've never understood why the Commonwealth forbids it, but it's been that way forever. I think a certain amount of the hate stems from the old-fashioned distrust of the 5.56mm NATO when compared with the 7.62 NATO. I still run into a few old-timers who grumble about how the military should have never switched from the M14 to the M16/M4 platform. I suspect it's the same old-timers who wrote the hunting regulations back in the 1960s-1970s.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914 |
The .22-250 certainly can kill a white tail. That's not a question that anyone should ask. The question is whether *you* can kill a deer with a .22-250 under your usual hunting conditions. It's far better to use a rifle with which you are very familiar and very comfortable than anything else. If I was teaching a new hunter, I'd prefer to give them a .22-250 they were able to shoot often and become proficient with than to give them a .30-06 they were going to shoot less than 20 times a year. Even though I regard the .30-06 as the "one cartridge to rule them all" for North American game, a lot of people just won't use it enough because it's a bit expensive and kicks a fair amount.
Growing up, I never had the luxury of having specialized rifles the way I do now. I had a .270 Winchester which I used for everything. I shot ground hogs with it all summer and then shot white tails with it in the fall. Later on, I picked up a .25-06 with which I became even more proficient. I'd shoot at anything in North America with that .25-06 with 117/120 grain bullets knowing that the bullet is going to go exactly where I want it to go with that rifle. I'd be better off with that rifle than with any of my others (which I frankly don't need, but it gives me joy to have them).
The smallest caliber I have ever personally used on a deer was a .22 LR. A deer walked up to me with no face the day after black powder season ended - someone had tried a headshot on it and blown off its lower jaw and most of the snout - he was clearly in extreme distress. I ran to the truck and grabbed my Nylon 66. I shot him between the eyes and he dropped. That doesn't make .22 LR an ethical deer cartridge. But proper shot placement matters more than anything. I found out later that one of my neighbors had shot the deer with one of those scope-mounted modern muzzleloaders that sends a heavy solid copper bullet at something like 2600 FPS. It doesn't matter what you use if you miss the vital parts. But it makes me sick to think that his weapon counts as a "primitive weapon" while my .45-70 or .50-70 Govt doesn't.
And even with proper shot placement and a good bullet, there is no guaranteed one-shot drop that works every time. I've seen a deer run 800 meters after taking a .270 Winchester to the heart and lungs. We followed the blood trail from point of impact to the downed animal. It was a good strong blood trail the whole way. My brother swore he placed the bullet just right. Under my breath, I was cursing my brother for gut-shooting the damned thing, but it turned out he shot the damned thing through the heart and both lungs. The deer didn't have much inside his chest cavity besides pink and red clots, but he still ran. That kind of stuff can happen no matter what cartridge you use.
I've also had a deer show no sign that I even hit him with my .25-06, leave no visible blood trail, but drop dead after 50-60 yards. I could have sworn I somehow missed him, but out of diligence I started sweeping back and forth the direction he ran. I found him crumpled behind a fallen tree. Again, solid shot through the heart. Bullet performed as expected, but not every deer will drop with one well-placed shot.
Here in Virginia, it's illegal to use rifles below .224 on deer. It hasn't stopped a lot of bubbas out in my neighborhood from using a .223 or .22-250, but I have too much to lose to do something contrary to the laws of the Commonwealth. As someone who carried a 5.56 and depended on it for my life - and know that it works just fine on 150-250 pound animals - I would never doubt that a hunter can kill deer with that caliber. I've never understood why the Commonwealth forbids it, but it's been that way forever. I think a certain amount of the hate stems from the old-fashioned distrust of the 5.56mm NATO when compared with the 7.62 NATO. I still run into a few old-timers who grumble about how the military should have never switched from the M14 to the M16/M4 platform. I suspect it's the same old-timers who wrote the hunting regulations back in the 1960s-1970s. A 223 or 22-250 is .224
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Mar 2024
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The .22-250 certainly can kill a white tail. That's not a question that anyone should ask. The question is whether *you* can kill a deer with a .22-250 under your usual hunting conditions. It's far better to use a rifle with which you are very familiar and very comfortable than anything else. If I was teaching a new hunter, I'd prefer to give them a .22-250 they were able to shoot often and become proficient with than to give them a .30-06 they were going to shoot less than 20 times a year. Even though I regard the .30-06 as the "one cartridge to rule them all" for North American game, a lot of people just won't use it enough because it's a bit expensive and kicks a fair amount.
Growing up, I never had the luxury of having specialized rifles the way I do now. I had a .270 Winchester which I used for everything. I shot ground hogs with it all summer and then shot white tails with it in the fall. Later on, I picked up a .25-06 with which I became even more proficient. I'd shoot at anything in North America with that .25-06 with 117/120 grain bullets knowing that the bullet is going to go exactly where I want it to go with that rifle. I'd be better off with that rifle than with any of my others (which I frankly don't need, but it gives me joy to have them).
The smallest caliber I have ever personally used on a deer was a .22 LR. A deer walked up to me with no face the day after black powder season ended - someone had tried a headshot on it and blown off its lower jaw and most of the snout - he was clearly in extreme distress. I ran to the truck and grabbed my Nylon 66. I shot him between the eyes and he dropped. That doesn't make .22 LR an ethical deer cartridge. But proper shot placement matters more than anything. I found out later that one of my neighbors had shot the deer with one of those scope-mounted modern muzzleloaders that sends a heavy solid copper bullet at something like 2600 FPS. It doesn't matter what you use if you miss the vital parts. But it makes me sick to think that his weapon counts as a "primitive weapon" while my .45-70 or .50-70 Govt doesn't.
And even with proper shot placement and a good bullet, there is no guaranteed one-shot drop that works every time. I've seen a deer run 800 meters after taking a .270 Winchester to the heart and lungs. We followed the blood trail from point of impact to the downed animal. It was a good strong blood trail the whole way. My brother swore he placed the bullet just right. Under my breath, I was cursing my brother for gut-shooting the damned thing, but it turned out he shot the damned thing through the heart and both lungs. The deer didn't have much inside his chest cavity besides pink and red clots, but he still ran. That kind of stuff can happen no matter what cartridge you use.
I've also had a deer show no sign that I even hit him with my .25-06, leave no visible blood trail, but drop dead after 50-60 yards. I could have sworn I somehow missed him, but out of diligence I started sweeping back and forth the direction he ran. I found him crumpled behind a fallen tree. Again, solid shot through the heart. Bullet performed as expected, but not every deer will drop with one well-placed shot.
Here in Virginia, it's illegal to use rifles below .224 on deer. It hasn't stopped a lot of bubbas out in my neighborhood from using a .223 or .22-250, but I have too much to lose to do something contrary to the laws of the Commonwealth. As someone who carried a 5.56 and depended on it for my life - and know that it works just fine on 150-250 pound animals - I would never doubt that a hunter can kill deer with that caliber. I've never understood why the Commonwealth forbids it, but it's been that way forever. I think a certain amount of the hate stems from the old-fashioned distrust of the 5.56mm NATO when compared with the 7.62 NATO. I still run into a few old-timers who grumble about how the military should have never switched from the M14 to the M16/M4 platform. I suspect it's the same old-timers who wrote the hunting regulations back in the 1960s-1970s. A 223 or 22-250 is .224 I should have checked the actual law. I thought it was written as .224 or below, but it actually says "less than 23." 4VAC15-270-10. Size rifles for hunting bear, elk, and deer. It shall be unlawful to use a rifle of a caliber less than 23 for the hunting of bear, elk, and deer.
Last edited by Q_Sertorius; 03/27/24.
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Posts: 10,417 |
Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail???
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914 |
Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Posts: 10,417
Campfire Outfitter
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Posts: 10,417 |
Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree.Ive hunted deer all over the USA. Deer size can easily be three to one in size. No way they are all the same.
Last edited by Bugger; 03/27/24.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,914 |
Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree. Glad to know that. So big bigger deer are harder to get to give up the ghost?
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,417
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Posts: 10,417 |
Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree. Glad to know that. So big bigger deer are harder to get to give up the ghost? Clearly you’ve had very little experience!
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,417
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Posts: 10,417 |
I hunted deer in Missouri. They are pretty small compared to large Mule Deer.
I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree. Glad to know that. So big bigger deer are harder to get to give up the ghost? Clearly you’ve had very little experience! Enough to know that deer are small easy to kill critters. Even a broadhead makes very short work of one.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Ranger
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I hunted deer in Missouri. They are pretty small compared to large Mule Deer. North Missouri or South Missouri? Plenty of 200-250# deer from our area clear up to Iowa. Have killed them from the Ozarks to Iowa. All died pretty easily when hit in the vitals.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 03/27/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Molon Labe
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Same could be said of a few I have seen shot with belted magnums. I try to match the tool to the job. No need to use a sledge hammer to drive a thumb tack.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity?
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For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? I'd do it without hesitation. Using the 50 or 55 gr. Barnes TSX at about 3700 FPS
The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!
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22-250 or a 220 Swift probably others too work just fine on deer its the bullet that makes the difference we use 60 gr. Nosler Partitions and there are many other bullet brands that will work.
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? I used Partitions for a number of years in the 22-250. Shots ranged from 15 yards to around 75 yards in the area we were hunting. Broadside or quartering to/away. Barnes would be even better but I wouldn't expect the blood trails like the Partition gave me if deer ran. The buck in the above pic was shot at 15-20 yards through the blades which aren't very tough. 225# or so on hoof.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 03/28/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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[/b][b]For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? I'd do it without hesitation. Using the 50 or 55 gr. Barnes TSX at about 3700 FPS Impact velocity of 3700 FPS? What I'm wondering is what the effective range of a .224 bullet, but range depends on muzzle velocity which determines impact velocity at some distance. Assuming you meant 3700 FPS, out to what distance would you be confident taking a quartering shot?
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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[/b][b]For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? I'd do it without hesitation. Using the 50 or 55 gr. Barnes TSX at about 3700 FPS Impact velocity of 3700 FPS? What I'm wondering is what the effective range of a .224 bullet, but range depends on muzzle velocity which determines impact velocity at some distance. Assuming you meant 3700 FPS, out to what distance would you be confident taking a quartering shot? I will catch hell for this but I wouldn't be a bit afraid to shoot a quartering deer with a 22-250 or Swift out to about 300 yards with a mono. Even a bonded bullet if they would shoot good. On broadside deer we have used various soft points and even saw a doe shot at about 350 with the Swift and 55 grain V-Max. The 22-250 or Swift will drive a 50 a couple hundred FPS faster than that 3700 so I am not sure where the impact velocity would hit 3700. Wouldn't be any hesitation here.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 03/28/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Regular
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For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? Good question! Me, depends on how well I shoot the rifle! A 200# deer in any angle shot can be killed instantly with a 22 cal center fire cartridge. Just depends on where you place the bullet your using! Where the catch comes in is say a 22-250 with a 50gr bullet shooting 1/2" groups at 100 yds from a bench rest is fine but move to even 200 yds and a field position and suddenly that 22-250 becomes a different animal! As for impact velocity, I wonder how much velocity is required to penetrate the brain of a deer? or how about the neck and break the spine. Velocity would not be the problem I think but rather placement. Bullet placement will make up for some velocity loss but velocity will not make up for poor placement for the bullet your using!
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? Good question! Me, depends on how well I shoot the rifle! A 200# deer in any angle shot can be killed instantly with a 22 cal center fire cartridge. Just depends on where you place the bullet your using! Where the catch comes in is say a 22-250 with a 50gr bullet shooting 1/2" groups at 100 yds from a bench rest is fine but move to even 200 yds and a field position and suddenly that 22-250 becomes a different animal! As for impact velocity, I wonder how much velocity is required to penetrate the brain of a deer? or how about the neck and break the spine. Velocity would not be the problem I think but rather placement. Bullet placement will make up for some velocity loss but velocity will not make up for poor placement for the bullet your using! The question was about quartering deer so one is pretty safe assuming he is talking about getting to the vitals via breaking shoulders or coming up from the back of the ribs on quartering away.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Outfitter
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For those who hunt with .224 caliber bullets, based on your experiences, would you be confident taking a 200 lb deer on a quartering shot?
If so, with what sort of bullet and at what impact velocity? Yes The answer would be the same whether the bullet is 22 diameter or of larger bullet diameter. Use a bullet that will penetrate sufficiently, driven at velocities where it will open up at the ranges in which one intends to shoot. If I was planning on regular azz shooting I'd probably use a Barnes.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree.Ive hunted deer all over the USA. Deer size can easily be three to one in size. No way they are all the same. So what? A 22-250 will work fine on all of them. We're talking deer here, regardless of size they aren't difficult to kill.
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Campfire Ranger
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Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree.Ive hunted deer all over the USA. Deer size can easily be three to one in size. No way they are all the same. So what? A 22-250 will work fine on all of them. We're talking deer here, regardless of size they aren't difficult to kill. Funny how it takes a lot of power to kill a deer with a rifle but archery tackle kills so easily.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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This would be my choice:
Barnes VOR-TX Ammunition 22-250 Remington 50 Grain TSX Hollow Point
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I've read well over 1,000 posts on the .22cal. for deer. I disregard the hunters that would never do it and listen to the ones and their pictures of the ones who do it. I came to realize that the bullet does something to the vitals of the animals that does not do what my .270 Win. ever did. I just plain makes the vitals a blood bath. I never uses a 22 cal. for deer. However, I have seen a difference when I went from my .270 WIn. to my .243 WIn. The .243 Win. is much the same.. Last year I made my very worst shot on a deer. Still can't believe I dropped it right there ,, flopped around some and died. Bullet went in just north of the guts and under the tenderloins.. Nothing but blood in the cavity. A 100 gr. Rem. coreloc with 40.5 gr. IMR 4350. Not exactly a hot load , 25 yd. shot. I am sure a " marginal shot" is actually more effective with a 22 or 24 cal. than a bigger cal.. A .270 Win. /130/150 gr. is more suited for elk, bear and moose. If a .270Win/ 150 gr. is suitable for moose and elk, then a 223Rem is suitable for deer. I am interested in 223 Rem . cause the day may come when powder , bullets and cases may be much more expensive . IMR is $65 lb.. and many components are still hard to find, but the 223 Rem. is still all over. A light .223Rem, for Wis. marsh hunting should be a very good combo with 50yd . shots max. No wind drift to worry about neither.
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I've read well over 1,000 posts on the .22cal. for deer. I disregard the hunters that would never do it and listen to the ones and their pictures of the ones who do it. I came to realize that the bullet does something to the vitals of the animals that does not do what my .270 Win. ever did. I just plain makes the vitals a blood bath. I never uses a 22 cal. for deer. However, I have seen a difference when I went from my .270 WIn. to my .243 WIn. The .243 Win. is much the same.. Last year I made my very worst shot on a deer. Still can't believe I dropped it right there ,, flopped around some and died. Bullet went in just north of the guts and under the tenderloins.. Nothing but blood in the cavity. A 100 gr. Rem. coreloc with 40.5 gr. IMR 4350. Not exactly a hot load , 25 yd. shot. I am sure a " marginal shot" is actually more effective with a 22 or 24 cal. than a bigger cal.. A .270 Win. /130/150 gr. is more suited for elk, bear and moose. If a .270Win/ 150 gr. is suitable for moose and elk, then a 223Rem is suitable for deer. I am interested in 223 Rem . cause the day may come when powder , bullets and cases may be much more expensive . IMR is $65 lb.. and many components are still hard to find, but the 223 Rem. is still all over. A light .223Rem, for Wis. marsh hunting should be a very good combo with 50yd . shots max. No wind drift to worry about neither. The right 130 in that 270 kills deer as fast as greased lightning. Load a 130 Sierra Gameking up at max velocity and schitt dies quick, fast and in a hurry. No pics because those were the days before I had a cell phone but good sized exits were an understatement.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Tracker
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I've seen that too, and I have also seen them run off with good shots.. In my experience . A .270Win. knocks them down faster and they stay down when through the shoulders, when they run a bit with the . 243 Win... However, I have had deer run 100 yards a bunch of times with a lung shot.. The .243 Win. has put them down in 50' every time regardless of there they were hit... It could be just coinsedence ,, but it is my experience . Also, I am not saying the .270 Win is not as good , I am saying the .243 Win is as good ,, for deer anyway and I am sure the .223 Rem. is as good, and kills a fast as anything. it's all in the bullet. We can made a 22 cal. bullet blow up on a gopher , or make them go through metal.. Caliber makes no difference .
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
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Campfire Ranger
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I've seen that too, and I have also seen them run off with good shots.. In my experience . A .270Win. knocks them down faster and they stay down when through the shoulders, when they run a bit with the . 243 Win... However, I have had deer run 100 yards a bunch of times with a lung shot.. The .243 Win. has put them down in 50' every time regardless of there they were hit... It could be just coinsedence ,, but it is my experience . Also, I am not saying the .270 Win is not as good , I am saying the .243 Win is as good ,, for deer anyway and I am sure the .223 Rem. is as good, and kills a fast as anything. it's all in the bullet. We can made a 22 cal. bullet blow up on a gopher , or make them go through metal.. Caliber makes no difference . I had one run 80-100 yards after a broadside double lung with a .243 just last season. No blood on the ground. Cover so thick you had to push your way through. Had to double back and try a different route to get through several times and crawl through some spots on hands and knees. Couldn't see it till I was 5 feet away. Could have been tough to find if there weren't snow. As it was I came out of there covered with burrs and ticks. Picked 7 of the little varmints off me on the way home. Spent two hours the next day picking the burrs out of my coat and pants. Lost my favorite hat somewhere in there.
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Campfire Ranger
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Coues, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Blacktail, small southern Whitetail??? Doubt 1 of them are any tougher than the other. We have killed several western Missouri bucks that were 180-200# and the one I killed probably went 225# on hoof. I disagree.Ive hunted deer all over the USA. Deer size can easily be three to one in size. No way they are all the same. So what? A 22-250 will work fine on all of them. We're talking deer here, regardless of size they aren't difficult to kill. This. I’m always fascinated by these discussions. From an 80# deer in Florida to a 300# deer in Alberta, there isn’t a deer walking that I’d fret a decent bullet from the 22-250.
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I hunt deer all the time with a 223, like every season somewhere at least. I multi state hunt. I don’t think twice about it and the deer died like they were shot with anything else.
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I hunt deer all the time with a 223, like every season somewhere at least. I multi state hunt. I don’t think twice about it and the deer died like they were shot with anything else. I am not in the small diameter lightweight bullet camp for deer hunting, but I have no issue with it whatsoever for those that choose this route. I have seen many deer killed with the 223 with no bullet failure, and some relatives have used the 22-250 exclusively for deer hunting for many decades with nothing but success. As stated many times in this post, deer are not hard to kill.
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I’ve found through much experimentation that no animal can live with a 2” hole through its lungs. They don’t know or care what put the hole there. Many projectiles are available that will enable even a lowly .224 caliber rifle to put a 2” hole through a lot of tissue.
Pick a rifle. Select a decent bullet. Put it where it needs to go. Caliber and more so headstamp mean less than ever before with modern projectiles.
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Campfire Ranger
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So we should stack everything but a .22 caliber? I have shot probably 70 deer and antelope with various .22s. But I am not buying they are perfect for big game hunting.
Molon Labe
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Of course not. Just shoot whatever rifle you want, use decent bullets, try your best to make good shots, and enjoy yourself. I love to hunt but I also love rifles. In a given year I’ll shoot “big game”, mostly pigs, with rifles from 17 to 45 caliber. They all work when used with some level of precision and all will produce a rodeo when poor shots are made. I just don’t see the need for the trepidation and/or disdain for the use of 22 calibers on deer sized game.
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Campfire Ranger
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I am not buying they are perfect for big game hunting. And nobody is saying they are. Most are stating they work fine and the real naysayers have never even pulled the trigger on a deer while using a .22 caliber. Almost the same on the .24 calibers. Those of us that have killed with them get to see how well they can work. I grew up around a bunch of guys with running hounds and they ran far more coyotes than they did hunting deer. A fast 22, 243 or 6mm was the norm for those guys to shoot running coyotes in front of the hounds. Not enough $$ for them to have multiple rifles so they used their rigs as a dual purpose gun. I saw early on how fast deer died when shot with a hot .22 or a 243/ 6mm. Deer died about the same when shot in the same spots. A big gun around those guys was a 25-06. Talk about thinking you were looking at a magnum sized round. I was dumb enough at about 7 or 8 I thought the 6mm Remington was just a tick below the 7mm Mag. It was a real power house you know.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 03/29/24.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Campfire Ranger
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That I can buy. I like fooling with rifles of all kinds. But sometimes a perfect shot on a deer is made, but they still run. Late in the eve. with no blood trail that is a problem. My use of the .22s on deer and antelope is always a low stress hunt. I am not in a rush, game is plentiful and I have time. That is the way I like to hunt all the time, but the numbers of game, and the restrictions of the area also play a big part in my choice.I always felt if you have to ask this question is it big enough, then for that person, no it is not. You do not have the experience or skills to use it. We all know they can kill cleanly if we have a good shooter, and a good shot.
Molon Labe
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I’ve found through much experimentation that no animal can live with a 2” hole through its lungs. They don’t know or care what put the hole there. Many projectiles are available that will enable even a lowly .224 caliber rifle to put a 2” hole through a lot of tissue.
Pick a rifle. Select a decent bullet. Put it where it needs to go. Caliber and more so headstamp mean less than ever before with modern projectiles. So true. Good example happened a few seasons ago. One deer was struck with 338 win mag, blew a literal fist size hole through him. Second was shot by 223 in the identical spot. Both ran 80 yards.
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I've seen that too, and I have also seen them run off with good shots.. In my experience . A .270Win. knocks them down faster and they stay down when through the shoulders, when they run a bit with the . 243 Win... However, I have had deer run 100 yards a bunch of times with a lung shot.. The .243 Win. has put them down in 50' every time regardless of there they were hit... It could be just coinsedence ,, but it is my experience . Also, I am not saying the .270 Win is not as good , I am saying the .243 Win is as good ,, for deer anyway and I am sure the .223 Rem. is as good, and kills a fast as anything. it's all in the bullet. We can made a 22 cal. bullet blow up on a gopher , or make them go through metal.. Caliber makes no difference . I had one run 80-100 yards after a broadside double lung with a .243 just last season. No blood on the ground. Cover so thick you had to push your way through. Had to double back and try a different route to get through several times and crawl through some spots on hands and knees. Couldn't see it till I was 5 feet away. Could have been tough to find if there weren't snow. As it was I came out of there covered with burrs and ticks. Picked 7 of the little varmints off me on the way home. Spent two hours the next day picking the burrs out of my coat and pants. Lost my favorite hat somewhere in there. I've had to deal with ticks and I've had to deal with snow. Just never both at the same time. That would stink.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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One of my cousin's wife, shot a deer at 250 yds with one, from the kitchen window when Ben was taking her brothers out hunting, when they came up to West Virginia from Florida and has borrowed his other guns. The buck was in their "apple orchard" ( 5 apple trees). Ben had told her it was too light to be used on deer. So she aimed at the eye and hit the eye.
That was in the early 70s. That sold Ben on it, so he tried it and it did what it was intended to do. In WVA, you can buy an orchard permit, and take up to 25 deer on it... back then it cost $2.00... and no one was counting. So ever since, Ben had purchased an orchard permit and has taken quite a few deer each year. Everyone taken with that 22.250, and has also included taking wild hogs wandering thru his property.
All he has ever fed it, was Factory 55 grain SP ammo. Most years Remington but occasionally Federal on sale. Went thru about 3 boxes every 2 years. Ben claims that every deer he ever shot with that rifle have been bang / flops. DRT. His boys back that up.. and they've also taken deer with the same rifle most of their lives. Ben's only rule has been they have to buy their own ammo, when they were old enough to start a part time job.
So he's given the 22.250 a pretty strong test. He still uses the same rifle. A Model 700 BDL her bought in about 1972.
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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looks like this thread has had a lot of reply so this is probably fruitless..
but with proper bullet selection a 22-250 is quite capable
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