Deer, Head shots, 22 250

agilent_one said:
There are a handful of guys here that could consistently pull off a "headshot" at distance. Chances are, if you've got questions about it - you aren't one of those guys.
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I don't believe that there are any people here who can consistently pull off a headshot at distance.

If Consistent = 90% of the time;
Headshot = 3"; and
Distance = 150 yds +

That can be done by some people at a stationary target with a good gun with good loads with a good rest, but in field conditions with a hunting rifle on a moving target (or if stationary, about to move) - nope.

You disagree - should be easy to prove, right?
 
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Yes

sjemac said:
I went 5 for 5 on head shots on deer last year but that was with a .280 Rem. I treated it like bow hunting and tried to get close though. Gotta know your rifle too.

No bloodshot meat that way and I primarily hunt for the culinary aspects of my game.
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there is no waste of meat but you have meat that is full of blood and not bled out. I prefer to let mine bleed out.
 
We once tracked a wounded deer for miles, it had it's jaw shot off, it was a very large buck, shot "in the head" at close range with a 30/06. It was found by the shooter many miles away, he waited till the next day and used a snowmobile. Huge rack, mangled jaw, and the wolves had gotten to him, agonizing death of a majestic animal. Think about this next time you want to use a varmint gun on a big deer.
 
martinbns said:
It's illegal in Alberta to hunt big game with a .22 calibre rifle. With a barnes tsx or a 60 gr partition I wouldn't hesitate though if legal.
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Just curious, i understand that it is illegal to hunt big game with a .22 cal rifle , as it is in MB also , BUT!!! here is the kicker, does that include .22-250 ? the reason i ask is most provinces clearly state .22 rimfire , and say all centerfires are ok but not recommended under X caliber (at least here in MB)
do the regs actually say ALL .22's or RIMFIRE .22's ? There really is a BIG difference between the 2 rounds, although I personally will not hunt big game with under a .243
 
greywolf said:
Just curious, i understand that it is illegal to hunt big game with a .22 cal rifle , as it is in MB also , BUT!!! here is the kicker, does that include .22-250 ? the reason i ask is most provinces clearly state .22 rimfire , and say all centerfires are ok but not recommended under X caliber (at least here in MB)
do the regs actually say ALL .22's or RIMFIRE .22's ? There really is a BIG difference between the 2 rounds, although I personally will not hunt big game with under a .243
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I can't say what the regulations in MB are, but the law in Alberta is that to hunt big game, the rifle must be larger than .23 caliber.
 
Well now that has sufficiently gotten out of hand.

I asked the barain size question, simply to figure out if you guys who did not reccomend the shot, actually knew the size of target we are talking about.

How is a screwed up head shot worse than a screwed up heart shot? :confused:

If there are guys who can shoot at 500 yrds and 600 yrds, why is there such an u=issue with head shots.

As for my abilty and rifle, rest assured, I wouldn't do it if I didn't have the confidence in both.

What you owe an animal is as quick a kill as possible, Yes? no?

I will post pics in a few weeks.
 
Andy said:
I don't believe that there are any people here who can consistently pull off a headshot at distance.

If Consistent = 90% of the time;
Headshot = 3"; and
Distance = 150 yds +

That can be done by some people at a stationary target with a good gun with good loads with a good rest, but in field conditions with a hunting rifle on a moving target (or if stationary, about to move) - nope.

You disagree - should be easy to prove, right?
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I know you are wrong :)

Don't assume your ability or experience is the same as everyone elses.
 
I am not a fan of the head shot myself but I have seen it used effectively by others to get their deer. I just prefer the bigger target area of the heart/lungs and if your shot is maybe not so great lots more in there to mush up and make a quick clean kill...

I personally would not use a 22-250 on deer for me I will not go any smaller than a .243 but its a personal choice I have no doubt a 22-250 with the right bullet will get the job done.
 
Personally,(and when I say personally, I mean my own choice as I have no right to judge anyone or tell people what to do, as the guy asked a simple question and I am mature enough to answer like a sensible adult), I would say 150 yds is too far. I shot a stag last week in a fenced field(he had a broken leg) at 80 mtrs(I don"t shoot without a laser). I shot him through the atlas joint, taking off the back of the skull where it meets the spine. I consider that a much more humane shot than a heart/lung shot.(I shot a big wild stag last week through the lungs at 180 mtrs and he ran 100 yds. He was concious for at least a minute after I shot him. Was that more humane?)
I thinks it has more to do with people"s honest assesment of their ability and ethical humane attitude to the animal. I know people who can"t hunamely shoot a deer if it"s broadside at 100 mtrs.
I shoot all my deer with a 243, but would"nt hesitate to use a 22 centerfire with the right bullet.
I don"t think there"s a difinitive answer for this question, but unfortunately it is a very emotive issue.(unreasonably IMHO, please play nice as this is an interesting topic!)
 
Well to those like Andy, 1899 and the Doorhingejunkie ;) please keep shooting the way you are comfortable. I have shot 15-20 deer (I'd have to look at notes) in the melon and never lost one. I have probably shot another 10 deer in the neck (another 'low percentage' shot if you will) on top of that and never lost one of them. By never losing, I mean I if I aimed at the neck or head and squeezed the trigger, I only needed that one shot. I have never missed or wondered at any of them. All very dead. The only deer (or other ungulates) I have ever lost after a shot have been on lung or shoulder shots. Usually there was some unforeseen issue or circumstance involved. Feel free to flame up if you like, but I've shot out barrels practicing, and at one point could hit a 6" disc at 100yds off-hand 10/10 with my then hunting rifle (I liked shooting clays off the top of the 100yds board :) ). If a person is comfortable with it, and they are consistent, who are yo to judge? Then again he asked the question......
 
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todbartell said:
captain deadly!

just shoot them tight behind the front shoulder with a 53 gr Barnes TSX or 60 gr Nosler Partition.........
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Didn't realize that "captain Deadly" need only make a head shot to earn the name. I guess I 'AM' Captain Deadly !!!!!!

I've shot a number of Buffalo. Shot 3 Buffalo, Head shots, 85 yrds,105 yrds and 67 yrds Bang Flop, Bang Flop, Bang Flop !!!!

YAYAYAYAYAYAY ! I am Captain Deadly!!!!

I've shot two deer with head shots.. 80 yrds and 102 yrds Bang Flop Bang Flop. Capatain Deadly struck again !!
 
cycbb486 said:
there is no waste of meat but you have meat that is full of blood and not bled out. I prefer to let mine bleed out.
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Well it's called GUTTING. When you cut through that aorta right above the heart they bleed out pretty good. Don't you gut your deer? Cutting the throat isn't needed because you are cutting the largest blood vessel in the body when you field dress.
 
22 250 for only one reason.

It's my newest project gun and is performing beyond my belief. The rifle is probably the best I have ever shot in a bolt action, so that's pretty much it. Had it been a 300 wsm and I was getting the same results, it'd be 300 wsm.
 
sjemac said:
Well it's called GUTTING. When you cut through that aorta right above the heart they bleed out pretty good. Don't you gut your deer? Cutting the throat isn't needed because you are cutting the largest blood vessel in the body when you field dress.
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Agreed.

I cut the throats on my buffalo cause it took a long time to get them up and gutted. I even cut the legs. :D
 
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