Taking a deer with a 22-250

[chiefbkt]

I've killed 1 deer with my 22-250 (Savage model 12FV). Shot it with a Sierra 63 grain SMP about 12 years ago. It was 110 lb doe around 175 yard heart shot. She was feeding in a field and had no clue, dropped in her tracks. I would give those bullets a shot.

Edited July 4, 2015 by chiefbkt

[Five Seasons]

shoot me down too but i think all the slams being dished out for being "more of a challenge" aren't really warranted. it's no different than me using a bow during late season when i could use a muzzleloader. similarly a 30-30 like a 22-250 limits you to a similar range for different reasons but basically has the same amount of energy. 22-250 is more than capable. i think where things are getting lost is using it well within it's limitations to respect the game you're shooting. the "challenge" is you've got to wait for a broadside shot that's much closer and shoot it with the proper projectile. you can't just take a shot at any angle to the vitals, from any range you're capable at.

A 250 bullet rips and tears, it does not cut. The diameter is also nowhere near 2.5 to 3".

But the biggest issue when you compare the bow hunting challenge to small calibers is distance required to ethically harvest.

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Edited July 4, 2015 by Belo

[dbHunterNY]

A 250 bullet rips and tears, it does not cut. The diameter is also nowhere near 2.5 to 3".

But the biggest issue when you compare the bow hunting challenge to small calibers is distance required to ethically harvest.

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believe me when I say an expanded jacket of a bullet can cut.  comparing the hunting implements wasn't really the point though.  My point was it's capable to ethically hunt deer and successfully.  you've just got to use it within its limitations.  Deer ethically die from 22-250 rifles every year.  Sure bigger will kill easier, but last I knew your common gun hunter doesn't exactly look into his gun cabinet to debate going out to hunt deer with a 458Lott, 500 Nitro, or 505 Gibbs.

[hunterintheshadows]

i have used a 22-250 to take deer on several occassions. it works, but i prefer a larger caliber myself. last season i picked up a .280 remington and i really dig it so far dropped my buck in its tracks at about 230yds last season

 

[threeksnaj]

Thanks so much everyone for your advice and knowledge.  I see the debate .. half tried and did well and some perhaps never tried and just dont agree with it.  never the less i will bring it to camp. i have found that the sierra 60gr hp flies well with imr 4895. i sighted in for 150yrds and can place my thumb over a 5 shot pattern. i will limit myself that distance and below.  Dont get me wrong, the .308 will also be at camp. i did make a change there as well. went from 110 gr vmax to 125 gr nosler. Thanks again everyone .  didnt mean to start an argument. just wanted to try something new. Use something i already had in the gun safe without having to go buy something new. but again much thanks and thanks for the comments. all were read and taking into consideration.

[gjs4]

Like the countless posts of such questions posed (perhaps the "do I look fat in this swimsuit that's two sizes too small vane would be a good example)...... Guns can kill deer but this is not the proper selection for your posed purpose. If you're too cheap to buy a more properly suited caliber don't whine when you lose/wound an animal or someone tells you your behavior/experiment is unethical. I am off to start threads on maximum bow shots and is 1200 yards yo far to shoot does on nuisance permit threads.

For a place that chastised a guy who took his kid hunting before it was legal you guys are too kind to others..... It must be based on laws not actual thinking for many of you

[Five Seasons]

Like the countless posts of such questions posed (perhaps the "do I look fat in this swimsuit that's two sizes too small vane would be a good example)...... Guns can kill deer but this is not the proper selection for your posed purpose. If you're too cheap to buy a more properly suited caliber don't whine when you lose/wound an animal or someone tells you your behavior/experiment is unethical. I am off to start threads on maximum bow shots and is 1200 yards yo far to shoot does on nuisance permit threads.

For a place that chastised a guy who took his kid hunting before it was legal you guys are too kind to others..... It must be based on laws not actual thinking for many of you

Well said. And sort of funny when you consider that hunting laws are nothing more than a decision made by humans. And they change almost yearly.

Reading his last response it seems he had his mind made up anyhow.

[Pygmy]

Go back 120 years or so....

Deer were being killed cleanly with cartridges that were MUCH less powerful than a 22-250 on a regular basis...32-20....38-40...44-40 plus many others in both blackpowder and early smokeless powder chamberings..Those were state of the art deer cartridges in those days..

Do you suppose deer have become TOUGHER in the last 100 years ??

The same thing applies now as applied then...Shoot a deer in a vital area within the effective range of your firearm....DEAD DEER...

[jjb4900]

[ants]

Go back 120 years or so....

Deer were being killed cleanly with cartridges that were MUCH less powerful than a 22-250 on a regular basis...32-20....38-40...44-40 plus many others in both blackpowder and early smokeless powder chamberings..Those were state of the art deer cartridges in those days..

Do you suppose deer have become TOUGHER in the last 100 years ??

The same thing applies now as applied then...Shoot a deer in a vital area within the effective range of your firearm....DEAD DEER...

100% correct..BUT I think  there is a reason why most people hunt deer  with bullets bigger than .22 cal.

[ncountry]

Imo, there are those that definitely shouldn't hunt with a 22 250..

Those same people probably aren't that much better off with an " elephant" gun though...lol...

For many , the 22 250 is a perfectly good gun for the job , as long as the proper bullets are used..

[Pygmy]

100% correct..BUT I think  there is a reason why most people hunt deer  with bullets bigger than .22 cal.

I agree with you 100%, Ants.

However, the fact remains that if a person owns a .22-250 and wants to hunt deer with it, their is no ethical reason why he shouldn't, as long as he uses suitable bullets and is capable of executing proper bullet placement..

Am I endorsing .22 centerfires as ideal deer cartridges for the average deer hunter..??...Hell NO !! But if Joe Sixpack has a 22-250 and is aware of its limitations ( such as not taking Texas heart shots) and wants to kill a deer with it, I have no problem with that.

[ants]

I agree with you 100%, Ants.

However, the fact remains that if a person owns a .22-250 and wants to hunt deer with it, their is no ethical reason why he shouldn't, as long as he uses suitable bullets and is capable of executing proper bullet placement..

Am I endorsing .22 centerfires as ideal deer cartridges for the average deer hunter..??...Hell NO !! But if Joe Sixpack has a 22-250 and is aware of its limitations ( such as not taking Texas heart shots) and wants to kill a deer with it, I have no problem with that.

Yup….Two farmers I hunt with are total snipers with their single shot 223's. Neck or lung/heart  shots every time.

[gjs4]

Since its legal why don't we throw the 17 rem I the mix?

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[ants]

Since its legal why don't we throw the 17 rem I the mix?

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Is there a centerfire 17?

[philoshop]

Is there a centerfire 17?

 

The 17 Mach IV is a necked-down 221 Fireball that's been around since the early 1960's. And the 17 Remington came out in the early 70's. Nasty medicine for varmints under 150 yards, but you don't see many of them around any more.

Unless there's basically muzzle contact with the animal, you'd be a fool to even attempt to kill a deer with a .17 diameter bullet, legal or not. At most it's a 25 grain bullet. No matter how fast you're able to push it, it's still just a piece of rice flying through the air.

[wolc123]

Someday, I may take my .22/250 deer hunting but (11) conditions would have to be met first.  #1, my family's venison supply would have to be secure (at this point that means (4) average sized deer in the freezer).  #2, my buck tag would need to be already filled with a "big gun".   #3, I would need to locate some adequate bullets such as those which have been recommended here.  #4-11, The shot would have to be perfectly clear, from a rest, broadside, center lung, non-moving deer, at less than 150 yard range with good light and wind under 10 mph.    

 

Had I "jumped the gun" and hunted with it last season it very likely would have cost me the largest bodied deer of my life.   For the freezer, that Adirondack mountain 8-point counted as at least (2) average-sized deer, with a field dressed weight in access of 200 lbs.  He also provided my Father in Law with a great looking "local" decoration for the wall of his new cabin.  My .30/06 got the job done with less than half the above "conditions" met.  The shot was quartering away at 300 yards.     

 

To the OP, I would suggest meeting the first (3) conditions prior to taking the .22/250 deer hunting, then make sure to meet the rest during the hunt itself. 

Edited July 10, 2015 by wolc123

[threeksnaj]

shoot me down too but i think all the slams being dished out for being "more of a challenge" aren't really warranted.  it's no different than me using a bow during late season when i could use a muzzleloader.  similarly a 30-30 like a 22-250 limits you to a similar range for different reasons but basically has the same amount of energy.  22-250 is more than capable.  i think where things are getting lost is using it well within it's limitations to respect the game you're shooting.  the "challenge" is you've got to wait for a broadside shot that's much closer and shoot it with the proper projectile.  you can't just take a shot at any angle to the vitals, from any range you're capable at.

exactly 

[threeksnaj]

and for a bear...i would not use a 30-06 i mean that would be like using a 22-250 on a deer.  youd need something that would be a fast kill to drop the bear.. so in theory , by the slams to the 22 vs deer, you should use at least a 338 or 50 cal. that way ya know its gonna be a for sure kill...lol 

[wolc123]

For black bear in NY state the .30/06 is more than adequate.   Even on Western grizzlies, it would be more appropriately sized than a .22/250 on deer.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the .30/06 has killed more of each bear species than any other caliber.   I wish you well with your deer hunting this fall whichever rifle you choose.  Confidence and bullet placement are more important than impact energy, and it sounds like you got that covered pretty good with the .22/250.   How are you going to feel though if you are holding it when the biggest buck of your life shows you his front shoulder at a 300 yard range?  Your 308 would put him down there in his tracks while the little 22/250 would likely explode on the shoulder blade sending him off crippled.       

[gjs4]

It more of using a kids bow late season ....

Your challenge is not what is most effective for dispatch. If I said I am using a 308, 3006... 270 or even a 243 (which is not even in MY thoughts as a deer round) at 300 yards but have never shot the gun or a gun past 75- what would you say? Why not a 204? A dull broadhead?

This is the crap that makes us all look bad and where the weak glue of banding together against all the non hunters easily melts away. I feel you are selfishly progressing into an unethical venture. I also can't get over how folks on here play both sides of the "it's legal" sword. One of the ever increasing moments I am more embarrassed of the fraternity than part of it.

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[Elmo]

I've always marveled at fugu (Japanese puffer fish sashimi).  One of the most poisonous fish in the world with no known antidote.  Taking the wrong bite pretty much means instant death.  How did the first few fugu sushi chefs figure out what parts of the fish was edible?  You would figure once you saw people die after eating the fish they would simply stop eating the fish, right?  I guess hunger is the mother of many culinary inventions.  I was always curious as to what was going through these chef's minds when they kept experimenting with the fish?  I'm just as curious as to what goes through a hunter's mind when they grab a caliber a decent amount of hunters deemed under powered and they point it at a deer the very first time?  It usually takes a wounded deer for one to realize a caliber is too small or a distance is too far where as getting too close only result in a deer running away.

[jjb4900]

I have no doubt that many on here could consistently kill deer with a small caliber by choosing only the most perfect of shots.......I'm confident I could, but I'd rather not have to pass up a shot on a deer because it's too far, or not at the perfect angle for what I'm going to try to kill it with..........If by finding more of a "challenge", you mean accepting the fact that you may have to let that buck of a lifetime walk because the weapon you chose that day is inadequate for the opportunity that was presented, then have at it..........too many variables in the hunting world, so it's not for me.

[wolc123]

I can see where using such a weapon on deer when you have a better one available shows some disrespect for you quarry, and could be seen as selfish by many. There is no hunter I know who could resist the temptation of shooting at the biggest buck of his life if the situation arose, even if it meant pushing the limits a bit. Talk and words are cheap, I would have to see that done to believe it.

I would only use it on antlerless deer for certain, and only if my meat supply was secure. Then I could easily resist the temptation of taking a shot with less than 99% certainty. Of the hundred or so deer I have killed over 30 some years, I have only taken three shots where I was more than 98% certain of the kill and 2 of those escaped due to failure to fire, once from my slug gun once from my side-lock ML.

Thankfully NY state has reduced the regulations that forced us to use those handicapped weapons and my center fire and in-line ML have never let me down. They are on the right track with the crossbow now also, and I am 1/1 for that and eagerly looking forward to this season where I hear a rumor that they may give us the whole archery season in the Northern and Southern zone. That would be great because I use it in both.

I am a pure killer, and being such, the last thing I want to do is "challenge" myself with the possible result of a miss or messy kill. I will always use the most lethal weapon available and affordable to get the job done effectively. I know there are lots of "fighters" out there who thrive on the "challenge", but being a pure killer, I cant begin to "relate" to that. I think such folks should stick with better "fighting" sports like golf, football, baseball, boxing, wrestling, Wi/Atari, where "food" doesn't get messed around with. I even consider "catch and release" fishing as nothing but the "sensless maiming" of a good food supply. Maybe you can get a Wi hunting game that lets you mess around with different calibers and you could go all the way and try a "pellet" rifle on elephant.

[shawnhu]

Did someone say pellet rifle for elephant? Where do I sign up?

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