Deer with .22-250

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.
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Then why not a 30-06 with a 55 grain 22 bullet in a sabbot. Its all as stated earlier , ethics. Stick with what is out there for big game, and get on with it. :rolleyes: :p :D
Some rules are in place because they are ,well , just the right way to go. I vote 243/6mm and up for big game.:D
 
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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....
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But a lot of experienced hunters find using the large-bore rifles too easy. They are looking to find ways to make the hunt more challenging. Waiting for days for the perfect shot takes a lot more skill than throwing 180 grains of lead from the latest wonder-mag through the first deer he sees from any angle.

It is sort of the same thing as the guy who hunts with a stick & string during the rifle season. Or the other guy who sets up a long-range rig and won't shoot anything that is less than 500 yards from him.


Personal preferences are wonderful things eh?
 
[QUOTE='Boo]But a lot of experienced hunters find using the large-bore rifles too easy. They are looking to find ways to make the hunt more challenging. Waiting for days for the perfect shot takes a lot more skill than throwing 180 grains of lead from the latest wonder-mag through the first deer he sees from any angle.

It is sort of the same thing as the guy who hunts with a stick & string during the rifle season. Or the other guy who sets up a long-range rig and won't shoot anything that is less than 500 yards from him.


Personal preferences are wonderful things eh?[/QUOTE]

Yeah 'Boo I see your point, but your assumption that an "experienced hunter" would take a bad angle shot, or would only use a "wonder mag" has nothing to do with what I posted and is just hyperbole not a legitimate argument for the use of a 22-250 on deer.

Many experienced hunters do use archery and Muzzle loaders for more challenge as you mention. They are successful because they use the bullets and broadheads that their experience tells them are adequate for the job.
I have never heard of a .22 centerfire being described as a challenging way to hunt big game. I have never heard of a seperate season being offered for .22 centerfires as a primitive weapon season either!;)

Personal preference certainly allows for the legal use of less effective cartridges in many hunting situations. But that does not make it the right choice, just your choice.:cool:
 
I want to hear from some Manitoba hunters who have experience shooting deer with the 22-250. It's legal there and I'm sure someone has done it more than once.

If you do your part, that 22-250 will knock em flat.
 
In New Brunswick it is a very popular round for deer, I used mine to take my first buck, 136lbs field dress. The deer was 181yds out (rangefinder) and I shot him in the heart and went about 10yds and dropped. I loaded 70gr speer bullets with 33.5grs of I.M.R. 4064, 10 rounds with a chorny at 3300fps.
So what's the difference, 70gr - 22-250 at 3300fps or a 100gr - .243 at2900fps
 
In New Brunswick it is a very popular round for deer, I used mine to take my first buck, 136lbs field dress. The deer was 181yds out (rangefinder) and I shot him in the heart and went about 10yds and dropped. I loaded 70gr speer bullets with 33.5grs of I.M.R. 4064, 10 rounds with a chorny at 3300fps.
So what's the difference, 70gr - 22-250 at 3300fps or a 100gr - .243 at2900fps
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Had you hit that deer with that load at close range , it may have exploded on impact, and not made it to the vitals. Maybe , maybe not, anyone hit a deer at under 100 meters with a load like that? Just my 2 bits :)
 
[QUOTE='Boo]Or the other guy who sets up a long-range rig and won't shoot anything that is less than 500 yards from him. [/QUOTE]

Mr. Super Sniper...AKA...Mr. Empty Freezer
 
I don't think much of either the .22-250 or the .243 as big game rounds. The .25-06 is, in my opinion, a sensible minimum recommendation for a North American big game cartridge. I was going to say the .250 Savage, but the difference between it and the .243 is not great.

Having said that, lots of stuff is harvested in the north with the .22-250 and the .223. I must add that a caribou is much easier to kill than a whitetail. If one must use a .224 bore for big game, than I believe he should choose a bullet intended for big game - the 70 gr. Speer seems good - although I only shot up a box to see how they would group and did not test how they performed. I've pretty much quit trying to push my ideas on other folks - especially when a guy gets a one shot kill on a moose with a .22-250 loaded with 55 gr. Remington bulk bullets at .223 velocities.

While it is possible to get lightning fast kills on big game with a .22-250, I think there are better rounds out there. If a fellow wanted a long range coyote gun/deer rifle my vote would be for a 6.5 or a .270. My personal opinion aside, I would be interested to know if there was any data available to indicate whether or not small bore shooters actually lost any more game than anyone else.
 
Rugerman said:
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.
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I'm less interested in debating whether a 22 centerifre is ethical to use on deer than *who* is using it.

The 22 Centerfires *will* kill deer, especially if you use a good bullet. They are clearly NOT an optimum choice, though.

More important is WHO is using this. I've always maintained that the smaller cartridges, used on big game, is best left to an *expert* Not a beginner.
 
I have shot over 20 Sitka Blacktail deer with my 22-250 with Sierra 55gr varmint bullets @ 3660fps. I did this in the early 80's when I was a far better free hand shot than I am now due to not shooting as much as I used to then.

I placed every shot in almost exactly the same place and kept shots to a max 100 yards. I would wait until the deer was facing me and shoot it in the front of the neck resulting in a 1/4" hole in and a 1 1/2" to 2" hole out the back of the neck. The only thing holding the head on was the hide and everything inside the neck was jelly/mush.

The deer dropped instantly every time.

Would I do it again if I had the chance. No..... To much can go wrong and you could wound the deer with such a small caliber.

I would recommend any cartridge .257/6.5mm and larger eg; 257 Roberts and the new 260.
 
260 is nine years old, not all that new anymore, although most people dont know a thing about it :)

I agree, a 257 Bob, 25wssm, 2506, 260, 6.5x55, 270 win, or 7-08 are much better for deer​
 
Levi Garrett said:
Had you hit that deer with that load at close range , it may have exploded on impact, and not made it to the vitals. Maybe , maybe not, anyone hit a deer at under 100 meters with a load like that? Just my 2 bits :)
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I tend to agree with that. I think that a conventional bullet will perform better at a lower (to a point) velocity. Although I've never tested it, I would not be surprised to see the 70gr Speer penetrate better at .223 velocity than rippin' along at 22/250 or 220Swift speed.

Also, I contacted Speer once and over the phone the rep unofficially, off the record, confirmed that the 70gr Speer was designed for use on deer size game.




 
stewarch said:
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.
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Then you will be really surprised to see how they stabilize in my 1:14 twist 222 Rem at 400 fps less! :eek:

Groups are the same size as Supercub's.

Ted
 
Thanks to all

Gentlemen,
I figured this would spark some interesting discussions and comments. The fellow I am talking about is a university student and this is his only hunting rifle. He would like a different rifle but this is all he has at the moment. He is aware that this is not the optimum choice for deer. The gun regularly shoots 5 shot half minute groups at 100 yds with him behind the trigger. He is a good shot and stays calm under pressure. I realize shooting at the bench and shooting in the bush are two different things but I have confidence in his abilities. All things considered, I think shot placement will not be an issue.

Also he lives in a province where .22 calibre centrefire can legally take deer. I appreciate the comments from people who have actually used the .22-250 and we'll use them to make a decision. As far as ethics goes, if he doesn't feel this is the way to go, he won't use it. He has certainly been researching it and that is why we are here on CGN. The voice of experience is what we are after.


Finally, is there anyone out there who has actually used the 60 grain Nosler partition on deer? It seems to me to be a better built bullet but I need some firsthand experience if possible.

Thanks to all who have spoken. It has been an interesting exercise.
 
Rugerman said:
Finally, is there anyone out there who has actually used the 60 grain Nosler partition on deer? It seems to me to be a better built bullet but I need some firsthand experience if possible.
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Not on deer but I have taken a few wolves and coyotes with that cartridge/bullet combination. If it works on a 125 pound wolf I have no question it will work on a much "softer" deer.

It is typical partition though in that it make a hole on the way in, sheds it's nose on the way through producing a nice wound track, and then exits leaving another small hole.
 
Don't forget the BARNES X,it would be my first choice, since it expands to a larger caliber quite nice.

22 Caliber
Diameter Weight Description S.D. B.C. CAT#
.224"
53 gr TSX FB .151 .231 22443
NEW .224"
70 gr TSX BT .199 .314 22470
Oh , barnes bullets preform better if seated a fair bit off the lands, they like a bit of a jump to get going.
 
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Levi Garrett said:
Don't forget the BARNES X,it would be my first choice, since it expands to a larger caliber quite nice.
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We have a guide who posts occasionally on HuntShoot who had 2 of his clients shoot Mountain goat billies using the 50 grain X Bullet out of a 22-250 He was very-very impressed with the performance. BTW A mountain goat is a LOT tougher than any deer.
 
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