I am more than a bit late to this party. But I have to thank Pat for sharing his wonderful pics and memories. There are some gorgeous mulies in those pics.
I grew up being told that the 243 is marginal for deer, and a 22 caliber is only to be used in emergencies. I had always accepted that, and have been guilty of passing on the same information to others. (having never tried a 223) Several things have been making me rethink this, and I am seriously considering taking my 225 winchester deer hunting this fall. First, Big Stick has said a lot about 223 for hunting. And from what I have read, he can actually back his opinion up with experience. Second, I recently acquired P.O. Ackley's handbook for shooters and re-loaders. In volume 1 he has a chapter titled "Killing Power". In that chapter he talks pretty favorably about the 220 swift for deer. He also talks about using a 17 caliber for shooting wild burros. He does't exactly recommend a 17 caliber, but he expressed surprise at how well it performed.
So I would love to hear real world experience using a 22 centerfire rifle for deer. The good and the bad. If you have successes, it would be nice to know distance shot,bullet used, and how far the deer ran.
Ps. I do live in Pa, so 22 centerfire rifles are legal here. So lets hear it, the good, the bad, the ugly.
Ps 2. Lets not turn this into bashing other peoples choices and experiences, if you can't share experience with small centerfire rifles, keep your opinion to yourself. I want this to be a good informational discussion ( I know its a stretch on here).
Lots of talk on this thread about bullets, as there should be. Someone here once said bullets matter more than headstamps.
Shooting a 225 Win w/ a 14 inch twist barrel, I heartily recommend the Hornady 60 gr spire point for deer. I have burned thousands of them in a couple 22-250s over 34.3 gr of 3031 at 3600 fps.
Your 225 will not make 3600 fps, but my old manuals show loads up to 3450 to 3500 fps which will stabilize the Hornady 60 sp. (but 14 inch will not stabilize the Nosler 60 gr ballistic tip.)
I do not have Pat's record of game killed with a 22. I only shot one mule deer with a 22-250, at about 200 yds. It ran a bit over 80 yds after the shot, just like dozens and dozens of mulies I have seen heart shot with the 30-06. The only difference being, the '06 is likely to leave an exit wound and a better blood trail.
Dressing the deer showed the entire thorassic cavity pulverized. One lung was collapsed into a ball of tissue smaller than the heart. The heart had several slices through it like it had been cut with a knife. The aorta was decimated. And there was a large bruise on the inside of the opposite ribs, but no exit wound.
A 22 cal w/ varmint bullets would not be my first choice to try to break the pelvis with an ass shot. But it will excel with any head, neck, or broadside heart shot.
Good luck with whatever you choose and have fun!
