Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 22LR and the whitetail skull

Just caught your post on the way out of this thread !

Good work you did there! Gonna save it here.

Yup

Don't know about 22lr but I've seen 2 deer shot by a 22WMR and know specifically of another. First 2 were shot by mistake. Friend of mine thought they were squirrels. First one was a spike about 110 lbs or so. He took a Winchester 40gr Hollow Point in the right eye and we found it mushroomed the size of a dime against the back of the skull. Second was a knothead that took the same round between the eyes. You could hold him by the ears and just wallow the skull around. That one went out the back. The third was a mature doe shot under the chin and into the neck. Was told she ran about 50 yds squirtin blood and piled up in a briar patch.

Damn, you must have some big ass squirrels in your area !

I just don't have the words.

CCI Solids...hands down.

Think of LETHAL as a vacinnation, Even a syringe with a needle can put a deer on the ground,... permanently or not.

Still got the problem of too much, or not enough,........ LETHAL.

Well,......that's what he said anyway. But that was long ago and far away.

Has anybody tried the [b][color:#3333FF] Aguila 60gr. 22LR rounds.?[/color][/b]

I bet at 50 yards, they could break into the skull and tumble around nicely...

Be SURE of your target comes to mind.....

I've put a bunch of dogs down with head shots with .22rf solids without a problem and the .22 was always used by everyone at hog killing time.

Even so I think a .22 Hornet for the OP's purpose would provide more options and room for error.

"Has anybody tried the Aguila 60gr. 22LR rounds.?

I bet at 50 yards, they could break into the skull and tumble around nicely..."

Problem with Aguila's SSS 60 grain is it is not very accurate in standard twist rifles (1:16 twist), and I'm talking as close as 25 yards the bullets tend to keyhole and the groups open up.

Jerry

22LR? If I were forced- Solids and go for side to head shot, or WW power point to lungs.

22 Mag - much preferred w/FMJs to head

221,222, 223 w/reduced loads if noise is a factor, 52-55 w/PRECISE placement.

Personally, a 6BR can be downloaded w/but a FEW grains of powder and get say a 70gr at 2,000 - would do well w/head shots I believe, and reduced loads in a 243 should do the same.

Personally, I think a 223 w/the new tech bullets have a good enough track record to use w/confidence, but it sounds like you want minimal noise.

A 222 or 221 is very mild in report.

I would ONLY squeeze if using utmost care in shot placement and willingness to pass on anything but a perfect presentation and hold.

I took 4 rabbits w/head shots this year w/a LR and Mag at 50-75 yds...have to be VERY selective 'Timing' the shot so the animal does not snatch their head when you squeeze....as I wanted ONLY head shots for 0 meat damage.

The common idea i hear expressed is that of ability to restrain oneself until the ideal moment presents itself.
Not being able to ( or interested in) convincing anyone here of my personal abilities I can however assure you that my season is long, my bag limits generous and my position well chosen for safety.
I can wait till the shot presents itself and if it doesnt I can wait till another time.
My hide is 42 paces from the creek (my limit line). The hide itself is inside an old stable. The rest is the rear window of the hay loft. The downward angle to the creek is about 20 degrees and the area behind the creek is surrounded by 60 year old sweetgums.
If I decide to take a deer with the 22LR i will be within the laws of my state in doing so.
If I decide to take a deer with the 22LR i will do it knowing that safety is paramount, not venison.
The actual question of certain select ammo's ability to penetrate the skull of a whitetail has been answered.

http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/firearms/30585-22-cal-penetration-test-fresh-deer-skull.html

Just curious. Any laws in your State regarding the minimum acreage required for discharge of a firearm along with any restrictions with regards to how far away one must be from an occupied building.

I'd still go with a .22mag if it were me (actually a 25-20 or downloaded .357 if it were me). .22mag is leagal for deer in Maine and SC, if I remember correctly.

If you are determined to go this route, look at an actual deer skull, the temple is obviously the softest spot.

Just sOme Kindof hiddEn humor.

Winchester power points. Very accurate in my 10-22. Set it up so you have a shot at the top of the head. A small bait pile that forces them to come in straight on into you. When they put their head down put it dead center left to right and equidistant between the eyes and ears. It will be lights out.

Very important inquiry. I know michigan law states 450 ft from any dwelling and cannot use a firearm from ANY permanent structure. That last part will get ya if your not careful. Can't shoot from the back deck and even some hunting blinds ( the ridicoulus ones) are considered permanent.

Not saying a 22 is ideal for deer, but I have put a bunch of beef and pork on the ground for butchering with a 22LR solid