Alberta to allow 22 centrefire for big game.

Dogleg said:
For heavies I mostly used 75 old Hornady BTHP match that I pretty sure they don’t make anymore. The middlesteds and straight 22/243 I use 80 gr Berger VLDs.
I’ve had good results with close range and carefull shot placement. A high percentage of instant drops; and a bit of a pattern of animals hit, acting confused then laying down and dieing.
Although I’ve done it, partly to see if I could I guess.(probably the worst reason) I honestly don’t see the point. I have exactly nothing to gain.
You know what works better than a small fast and fast opening bullet? A bigger fast, fast opening bullet.
Click to expand...

That HPBT has been pretty erratic in performance for me. The 75 Amax was a bunch more consistent than that one. The HPBT worked best when punched through shoulders to generate bone shrapnel for organ damage, similar to using a mono.

And yep, you are right that a bigger fast opening bullet pushed fast does more than a smaller one, but by then you can get to the point of too much bullet.
 
Last edited:
Dogleg said:
For heavies I mostly used 75 old Hornady BTHP match that I pretty sure they don’t make anymore. The middlesteds and straight 22/243 I use 80 gr Berger VLDs.
I’ve had good results with close range and carefull shot placement. A high percentage of instant drops; and a bit of a pattern of animals hit, acting confused then laying down and dieing.
Although I’ve done it, partly to see if I could I guess.(probably the worst reason) I honestly don’t see the point. I have exactly nothing to gain.
You know what works better than a small fast and fast opening bullet? A bigger fast, fast opening bullet.
Click to expand...
Love it. Cannot argue and figured I’d ask because had a feeling you had more than most’s experience but also that you maybe did shoot heavier’s than most at the time.

Also agree, I haven’t fully jumped on the .22 or 6mm bandwagon personally but I did adopt the formula quite awhile back now with one of my own minimums added being nothing less than 120gr bullet weight and so landed on the 123gr in 6.5 and even sent real slow at 2386 or pretty quick at 2605, has been one consistent drt killer for me. Happy with my formula and I won’t argue the success of others who run 108’s and 77/88’s etc. It’s good to add all this discussion and experience to this thread as a bunch of money about to be spent in Alberta lol. May as well be the most educated spend as possible. 😉

Funny as I added a 308 running 168 eldm at 2592 and its working well but its still getting slightly out drt’d by the Grendels in the house past couple seasons, but won’t call a winner till enough meat hits the ground to be called fair. The recoil advantage and placement factor could be the biggest reason. As it’s not just me running these rigs in my house.

Cool some Canadians here in this thread with experience on these .22’s as I’m sure it’s opening eyes on what matters.

I like it though, finding the balance of ‘a good thing’ and then adding more of it until it becomes a bad thing. And for most there is no replacement for placement and this is where this whole game exists. Little grenades easier to place fills more tags than the other end of spectrum. It’s good times for those still learning the placement game or those who just don’t want to fuss with excess recoil even if they can handle it.

Good move Alberta, will benefit far more than not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAC
blakeyboy said:
I like your moves, if we ever get so dumb to get to copper bullets only rules for hunting my eldm’s will ride in cx boxes lol. Did you just request your barrel not be ‘labeled’?

Man it takes a long time for Alberta to get up to speed.
Click to expand...
I turned my own barrel from a 1:7 Green Mountain blank. So I didn't engrave it with any caliber information. :)

FYI, the 1:7 twist turns a 22 Creedmoor into a 1 trick pony. Maybe 2. You can't shoot any lead core bullets faster than 3200 fps because they'll blow up in mid-air. And it will push the 88gr to 3200. So that's all I use in it. The only lighter bullets that can be loaded to full speed are solid copper like a Barnes. I did buy some 77gr LRX but never got around to using them because the 88gr ELD-M worked so well!
 
rifleman762 said:
FYI, the 1:7 twist turns a 22 Creedmoor into a 1 trick pony. Maybe 2. You can't shoot any lead core bullets faster than 3200 fps because they'll blow up in mid-air. And it will push the 88gr to 3200. So that's all I use in it. The only lighter bullets that can be loaded to full speed are solid copper like a Barnes. I did buy some 77gr LRX but never got around to using them because the 88gr ELD-M worked so well!
Click to expand...

I ran the 88’s north of 3400fps… and 75/77’s way faster than that out of my 1:7, zero issues.
Round holes, good accuracy.
 
KodiakHntr said:
I ran the 88’s north of 3400fps… and 75/77’s way faster than that out of my 1:7, zero issues.
Round holes, good accuracy.
Click to expand...
It depends on the barrel, too. My Green Mountain is smoother on the borescope than a stock Savage barrel but I'm sure there are much better barrels out there with a smoother finish. And available 5R rifling that allegedly doesn't deform the bullet jacket as much.

I was spitting 50gr Speer varmint bullets near 4000 fps and those weren't making it to the 100 yard target every time. Thin jacket, cheap barrel, super high velocity. Worst case scenario.
 
Cannot go wrong with a 60 grain nosler accubond, or partition. Absolutely amazing hunting rounds for the 22 cal.

Also, often over looked, but one of the best hunting rounds is the old Speer 70 grain semi spritzer soft point round. The price is right on the Speers as well.
 
when I lived and worked in New Zealand for 91/2 years I shot fallow and even reds with a 223. I think here in North America with the right bullet it will be effective enough on pronghorn white tail and mule deer, even black bear. I do think there should be a restriction on moose and elk as increasing the number of wounded that get away to suffer is not a good look or morally as hunters something we should be doing.
 
A friend messaged me the other day about a White tail he shot with a rifle I replaced the trigger on for him.
He doesn't get around too well so hunts out of a blind and baits in a Province where it is legal.
75 yard shot with a 55 grain Hornady varmint bullet out of his 22/250,frontal shot at the base of the neck. Deer went nowhere but straight down.
Works for him.......
Cat
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KLS
migrant hunter said:
So it looks like Alberta has dropped the min caliber down to .22 for big game. I'd like to hear people's experiences with. 22 centerfires on deer, and what bullet they use. I shot Roe with a .22-250 in Scotland once, but there's a big difference between a roe doe and a mule buck.
Kinda wild seeing Alberta green-light .22 centrefire for big game, feels like the hunting rules are catching up to the way folks already talk about precision and risk, almost like when you’re deep into a long blackjack run and everyone’s arguing over whether to hit or hold. The whole convo reminds me of how much hunting and gambling share that weird mix of discipline and adrenaline. I was scrolling through gear talk earlier and, right in the middle of comparing loads, I ended up stumbling onto nieuwe online casino that hits the same vibe - clean layout, quick games, solid payouts, nothing sketchy. Kinda funny how swapping stories about rifles and swapping stories about jackpots feel pretty much the same. Anyway, I’m curious how many people are actually gonna trust a .22 CF the way they trust their favorite slot or poker hand once the season opens.
Click to expand...
If you’re going to use a .22 cf for big game you’ve gotta be really picky about bullet construction and shot placement. It’s not “the bigger the better” anymore - more like “the right setup.”
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom