Deer with .22-250

Rugerman

Rugerman

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
156   0   0
I need some advice/info on the best bullet to use on deer with a .22-250. I have a friend just getting into hunting and the rifle he has at the moment is a model 788 in .22-250. It is a very accurate rifle. I have reloaded for this calibre a lot for varminting but not for larger game. I am looking at the Nosler 60 gr. partition and maybe the 70 grain Speer. I am open to any suggestions, ideas, etc. from people who have had practical experience hunting deer with this calibre.

I am assuming this is the appropriate location for this thread. Maybe I should be in reloading section?

Thanks.
 
Here is a 3/4" , 3 shot group, out of a stock, 1:14" twist, A-Bolt 22/250 using 70gr Speers.

That Speer is a bit shorter given its semi-spitzer and will stabilize better than a longer bullet.

I have shot two deer with this load. They both died, so I figure they work well enough on deer, (with proper shot placement) but a 22CF is not my 1st choice for whitetail.


22-250.jpg




 
Despite what you hear on U.S. forums and elsewhere, the .22-250 is not suitable for deer. Especially for a new shooter/hunter.
 
sunray said:
Despite what you hear on U.S. forums and elsewhere, the .22-250 is not suitable for deer. Especially for a new shooter/hunter.
Click to expand...

Right - especially because (in Alberta at least) the smallest big game rifle permitted is .23 caliber. And I'm surprised Supercub could get those 70 gr speers to stabilize in a 1:14 twist barrel. I would have thought you would need something up around 1:10 or 1:9.
 
stewarch said:
And I'm surprised Supercub could get those 70 gr speers to stabilize in a 1:14 twist barrel. I would have thought you would need something up around 1:10 or 1:9.
Click to expand...

Here's another, much smaller group! :eek:

These bullets shoot well because they are shorter than full spitzer bullets.

scan.jpg
 
sunray said:
Despite what you hear on U.S. forums and elsewhere, the .22-250 is not suitable for deer. Especially for a new shooter/hunter.
Click to expand...


With proper bullets the 22-250 is JUST as capable as the .243 Winchester on deer. While there are plenty of "better" cartridges out there the 22-250 is indeed "suitable" for deer in the hands of a decent shooter.

So the 22-250 with big-game bullets is suitable for deer although I will be the first to admit it is far from "optimal".
 
The problem with this is that there really aren't any factory loads in 22-250 suitable for deer and newbies as a rule are not rolling their own. Sounds to me like an excellent excuse (oops, I mean reason) for your buddy to get a new rifle.
 
Well, it's popular in the southern States.

But their deer are a lot smaller. I'd have no problems at all grabbing a 22-250 or 223 (with appropriate bullets) and shooting, say, an 80lb antelope. But it wouldn't be my first choice. And I sure as hell wouldn't consider it for the larger mulies up here
 
Where is this young hunter hunting and for what kind of Deer?
Even for small whitetails I would consider a 22-250 a sketchy choice.
Although... Winchester is making 65 grain Power points for the 22-250 factory loads.
I guess this is the part where we hear about bullet placement.... right.
 
BIGREDD said:
I guess this is the part where we hear about bullet placement.... right.
Click to expand...

No. I actually am just waiting for someone to bring up the "E" word - ethics. ;)

And yes bullet placement is a factor. Someone with a few years under their belt and not as bothered by "buck fever" often doesn't "need" the insurance a larger caliber bullet brings. Patience also enters into it. Are you willing to wait minutes, hours or days for a clear shot or do you start chucking lead at the fist sight of hair?

The first deer I ever shot - close to 40 years ago now - was taken with a 40 grain RN bullet out of a .22 rimfire. The funny thing is that deer is just as dead as the 50-60 other deer I have shot since then. :cool:
 
53 grain Barnes TSX, keep shots to close to moderate range and make sure you can deliver that bullet surgicallike
​
 
[QUOTE='Boo]And yes bullet placement is a factor. Someone with a few years under their belt and not as bothered by "buck fever" often doesn't "need" the insurance a larger caliber bullet brings. Patience also enters into it. Are you willing to wait minutes, hours or days for a clear shot or do you start chucking lead at the fist sight of hair? [/QUOTE]

Everone I know with a few years under their belt would use a deer cartridge not a varmint cartridge for big game! Experience and Common Sense are not always mutually inclusive....
 
In B.C. any centre fire cartridge can be used to hunt big game and with correct placement any of them can kill an animal. The .22-250 has enough jam to do the job but there are definetely better cartridges. There are hunters who are sensetive to recoil and the smaller caliber rifles are a reasonable compromize as long as the hunter realizes there are limitations. I think a .243 is as small as I would go.
Having said that, if I was out with a 22 Hornet and that buck of my dreams showed it's self I would be a liar if I said I wouldn't try to get into a position for a crack at it.
 
BIGREDD said:
Everone I know with a few years under their belt would use a deer cartridge not a varmint cartridge for big game! Experience and Common Sense are not always mutually inclusive....
Click to expand...

Along with the years of experience comes aging eyes and slower reflexes....It's nice to have a calibre big enough to down your game in case your placement is not 100% spot on.
 
coltfan said:
Along with the years of experience comes aging eyes and slower reflexes....It's nice to have a calibre big enough to down your game in case your placement is not 100% spot on.
Click to expand...
Good one coltfan... that is what I call a post! :)
You other neophytes should read coltfans post carefully... it is seemingly an innocent post that speaks to the logic of experience. But hidden in the message is the subtle reminder that I am old.... my eyes are bad... my shooting is poor and that I need a big caliber to make up for my feebleness!:D
I will sit in the weeds coltfan... keep your head up...;)
 
here 10 shot group at 100 yards from my winchester model 70 22-250 using Fed fatory rounds id have to look at the box again to see what they were

P1010165.jpg
 
BIGREDD said:
Good one coltfan... that is what I call a post! :)
You other neophytes should read coltfans post carefully... it is seemingly an innocent post that speaks to the logic of experience. But hidden in the message is the subtle reminder that I am old.... my eyes are bad... my shooting is poor and that I need a big caliber to make up for my feebleness!:D
I will sit in the weeds coltfan... keep your head up...;)
Click to expand...

Did I say all that.....I was kind of thinking of me......I just got a 45/70 Guide gun and put a Holosight on it for the bush.....
 
stewarch said:
Right - especially because (in Alberta at least) the smallest big game rifle permitted is .23 caliber. And I'm surprised Supercub could get those 70 gr speers to stabilize in a 1:14 twist barrel. I would have thought you would need something up around 1:10 or 1:9.
Click to expand...

Also not legal in Sask, but I would like to try one with my .223. I have shot a couple (when I was a bit younger) with .22lr's. They are okay 25-50 yards for a head shot. I really don't see why a 70gr .223 bullet is any different than a .243 70gr bullet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom