22-250 for dear

They should work quite well. I believe that todbartell used TSX in his Fireball on a mulie doe a while back. The 22-250 should drive them even faster which isn't a bad thing. 60 grain Partitions should work well too.
 
Using .22 centerfires on big game is certainly doable, with a couple of caveats...

For starters, they are not cartridges for the beginner, they are cartridges for the well practiced. Shot placement is always critical, even using a .458..but it needs to be very precise with these cartridges. Second, you must employ a bullet of correct design.

Using a varmint style bullet on big game is probably going to lead to problems.

A .22 centerfire with TSX or Nosler Partition bullets is deadly on deer if the bullet is placed correctly, and within reasonable range.

I've killed black bear with the .223 and a 53gr TSX and todbartell has killed mule deer with the .221 fireball and 45grgr TSX, and they were both clean kills, but in both cases, shot placement was critical, and it's not the way I woudl start hunting big game.
 
I used a 70gr speer on top of 33.5 of IMR 4064, never had one go more than 30yds, some fellas down here use hollow points and they work pretty good. Aim for the lungs
 
I've never tried, but I probably wouldn't use your standard OTC ammo, probably better to go with a well developed handload (or premium bullet not designed for varmint) with the characteristics necessary to ensure a clean kill.
 
If you can't hit a basketball killzone target with a .22 centerfire you shouldn't be in the woods.The Win 55gr and old Hornady with cannalure work fine for lung shot deer.I loaded some for my dad's .222 and he ran up a string of over a dozen one shot kills on WT and 3 pest black bears.Yes with a .222 Not to mention the polarbears ,walrus ,seals and caribou the Innuit shot/shoot with them .You need to have the discipline to shoot at sane ranges,only shoot at stationary animals and a working knowledge of game anatomy along with suitable bullets...............this has always been raging debate..to each thier own I guess........................Harold
 
I don't like the idea of mouse guns on big game, but there are those who have used them successfully, particularly in the north where the .22-250 is considered akin to the finger of God.

There is an article on the GS Custom web site (http://www.gsgroup.co.za/22x64.html) that takes an interesting look at very high velocity (5000 fps) .22 mono metal bullets for use on African antelope, and the results are consistent with those expected from a .243. I don't think much of the .243 for game in excess of 100 pounds either, but this article shows once again that mono-metal bullets are changing the rules.
 
In the late 1970's early 1980's I shot appr 25 blacktail deer with a 22-250 using my handloads of 36grs IMR4064 and Sierra 55gr spitzer varmint bullets @ 3660fps from my 26" barreled Ruger tang safety rifle.

I kept all shots within 100 yards and placed each bullet in the neck of the deer resulting in instant bang/flops everytime the damage to the deer was a 1/4" hole into the neck and a 2" hole out the only thing holding the head on was the hide there was nothing else left inside.

I now load 55gr Trophy Bonded Bearclaws in my 223 & 22-250 just incase I am presented a shot on bigger game while I am out predator hunting, I haven't shot a deer with them but as long as the range is within 100 yards I wouldn't hesitate to use them on any deer.
 
Back when I lived up north, I had a buddy who shot a ton of caribou with a 22-250 with a Ruger #1, often to 300 yds, he never had to take a second shot. Is it doable? Yes, but there are far better tools for the job.
 
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