Thinking of loading my 22-250 for deer, it's a ruger 77mk2 stainless, laminate stock
Not sure on twist rate off hand.
What bullet would you recommend for deer?
Also may use for antelope as well
It would be a 1 in 14 twist but as mentioned the 55 gr. Hornady works well and most will also shoot the 63 gr. Sierra SMP.
Both bullets will do what you want without going to super premiums like the mono metals, which probably wont stabilize in your rifle anyway.
I'd try the 60gr. Hornady SP or the Barnes 53gr. TSX.
Dave
Oops...Dave has a point...Ive had the 53TSX stabilize well in three different 1 in 14s....
The 53 TSX shoots well in my Ruger .22-250 so yeah it should be the ticket for deer.
I shoot the 53 Barnes in my 220 Swift. It has a 1 in 14 twist. Quite accurate.
Give the 60 grain Partition a shot. It's right there at the ragged edge of stability in the 77 with its 14 twist. The Barnes 53 TSX and 50 TTSX will probably work as well. I wouldn't use standard construction bullets for chest shots at 22-250 velocities.
With my 8 twist Shilen Match barrel, I have a lot of options.
This gun really likes 80 gr. VLD's, does well with a host of other bullets.
DF
If not chest shots, where else?
If not chest shots, where else?
Crunching bones, messing up shoulders, etc.
Us Cajuns are more protective of the meat...
We eats these critters...
DF
I have seen or have used on varying big game, including deer...
Horn 55 sp.
Nosler 60 pt
Rem 55 sp
Threw the slats, in the nogg'n, snap the neck.
Shot placement key folks
Fed/Rem/Win 55 grain SP factory ammo works good if you pick your shots and don't feel that it is necessary to break bone in order to anchor a deer.
If not chest shots, where else?
Crunching bones, messing up shoulders, etc.
Us Cajuns are more protective of the meat...
We eats these critters...
DF
Ok, my bad. Poorly worded question. Paul l said he wouldn't use standard Bullets for chest shots. So does that mean he wouldn't use them at all? Seems to me, if one were to use "standard Bullets" for deer at 22-250 velocities, that broadside, thru the ribs would be the preferred placement. Just curious.
And DF, having lived in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, I comprendo Cajuns love for meat!
Only 2 bullets that immediately come to mind, 53 TSX and 55 TBBC.....
If not chest shots, where else?
Crunching bones, messing up shoulders, etc.
Us Cajuns are more protective of the meat...
We eats these critters...
DF
Ok, my bad. Poorly worded question. Paul l said he wouldn't use standard Bullets for chest shots. So does that mean he wouldn't use them at all? Seems to me, if one were to use "standard Bullets" for deer at 22-250 velocities, that broadside, thru the ribs would be the preferred placement. Just curious.
And DF, having lived in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, I comprendo Cajuns love for meat!
Man, those poor folks are floating in deep water. Hope you guys didn't get 30" of rain like they did. I know y'all got your share.
DF
If your barrel will stabalize the 60 partition, by all means. If not the 50 -53 gr monometals will poke a decent hole, probably two.
If not chest shots, where else?
I don't do it, but I know quite a few people who swear by neck shots with 22 centerfires.
If not chest shots, where else?
Crunching bones, messing up shoulders, etc.
Us Cajuns are more protective of the meat...
We eats these critters...
DF
Ok, my bad. Poorly worded question. Paul l said he wouldn't use standard Bullets for chest shots. So does that mean he wouldn't use them at all? Seems to me, if one were to use "standard Bullets" for deer at 22-250 velocities, that broadside, thru the ribs would be the preferred placement. Just curious.
And DF, having lived in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, I comprendo Cajuns love for meat!
If you are the type to take neck shots, I don't think it matters what bullet you use. Where bone may need to be broken to reach the vitals with a 22 centerfire, I want a premium bullet. That's the point I was trying to make with my earlier post.
Only 2 bullets that immediately come to mind, 53 TSX and 55 TBBC.....
Where can you get the TBBC as a component bullet?
I truly am not sure of their availability as of now. I know CTD had them recently. Not sure about now......
[quote=PaulBarnard
Where can you get the TBBC as a component bullet? [/quote]
Long time gone, sadly. They were great in a .22-250
If not chest shots, where else?
Crunching bones, messing up shoulders, etc.
Us Cajuns are more protective of the meat...
We eats these critters...
DF
Ok, my bad. Poorly worded question. Paul l said he wouldn't use standard Bullets for chest shots. So does that mean he wouldn't use them at all? Seems to me, if one were to use "standard Bullets" for deer at 22-250 velocities, that broadside, thru the ribs would be the preferred placement. Just curious.
And DF, having lived in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, I comprendo Cajuns love for meat!
If you are the type to take neck shots, I don't think it matters what bullet you use. Where bone may need to be broken to reach the vitals with a 22 centerfire, I want a premium bullet. That's the point I was trying to make with my earlier post.
understood. thx
Neck and head shots are great for saving meat.
However, I've not been a big fan, unless the distance is close enough to avoid a mess up.
Deer have a habit of suddenly moving their heads and if that happens as the shot breaks, one can cripple a deer. It'll make a believer when one sees a doe starving to death because some boob shot her jaw off trying for a head shot. A neck shot that doesn't hit bone/CNS/big arteries can blast the esophagus with about the same result.
So, head and neck shots have their place. Judgement, as always, is needed.
A chest shot with an appropriate bullet, well placed, is hard to beat. They'll often run, but usually not far with good marksmanship and the right bullet. In super thick stuff where they're easily lost or in areas where they can run onto another property, busting shoulders/spines may be the way to go. Some meat is better than no meat...
Where we hunt, we generally end up with all the meat...
DF
The more meat that gets fugked up the better.
I hate carrying that schit out.
Travis
The 53 grain TSX in a .22-250 works very well on both deer and antelope in your state...
Thanks guys I'm going to see which ones I can find at the local Scheels and do some load work.
If the 53 TSX doesn't work for ya, try the 45 as well. It's pretty brutal from a hornet from what I've heard.
I've never had an issue with standard 55 grain wally world bullets from a .22-250 on deer/antelope with tight behind the shoulder shots, but I am going to try the 62 TSX this year out of my 223. I got a tighter twist though.
The gun will be used by my daughter next year and possibly my wife if she want to go this year. I'll take it as well but mainly for my girls to use.
[quote=PaulBarnard
Where can you get the TBBC as a component bullet?
Long time gone, sadly. They were great in a .22-250 [/quote]
I'd buy a pile of them if I could find them. Tough, deep penetrating bullets in any caliber.
The more meat that gets fugked up the better.
I hate carrying that schit out.
Travis
I grew up hunting in the south. We never had to drag a deer far after we killed it. When I transferred to Kodiak with the Coast Guard I put a nice buck down about 2000 feet up a mountain. Dragging that thing out was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I smartened up and bought a frame pack. The next year I put another nice buck down. Carrying all that meat out in that frame pack was one of the hardest things I had ever done.
I hate carrying that schidt out too. Sometimes hunting is a lot like work. The party is over when you pull the trigger. The rest of the experience is all hangover.
I've only shot one deer with a 22-250. I used a 55 grain Winchester bullet, which was known not to expand much - I don't think that bullet is available as a reloading component any more, since that was in early 70's. I'm sure there's better bullets, but that one worked. If I were to try a 22-250 again, I'd look at Hornady, Core Lokt, and Nosler bullets.
The more meat that gets fugked up the better.
I hate carrying that schit out.
Travis
I grew up hunting in the south. We never had to drag a deer far after we killed it. When I transferred to Kodiak with the Coast Guard I put a nice buck down about 2000 feet up a mountain. Dragging that thing out was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I smartened up and bought a frame pack. The next year I put another nice buck down. Carrying all that meat out in that frame pack was one of the hardest things I had ever done.
I hate carrying that schidt out too. Sometimes hunting is a lot like work. The party is over when you pull the trigger. The rest of the experience is all hangover.
I drug my first mule deer to my vehicle which at the time was a 4Runner. Then I picked up the whole mule deer and put it the back on a tarp.
Thankfully I was in the middle of nowhere and no Montanans could see me. I'm sure it would have been quite a sight.
FTS. I cut them up and pack them out now.
Dave
Last 2 deer I shot in Minnesota I loaded both on the top of my 95 pathfinder my self after dragging them out.
Talk about a workout.
The pathfinder was white and after driving home 2 hrs the back and sides were red. The wife was not impressed.