.22-250 for deer?

[Ben Fougere]

I've heard people talking about using a .22-250 for deer. Does anyone know of this kind of thing? If so, what type and grain of bullet should I use? It doesn't look like I can get an 80 grain bullet from the store here in PG. The only way to get a 75-80 gr bullet is to hand load. I don't hand load yet.

Anyone disagree with using a .22-250 for deer. My other alternative is to keep the .22-250 for coyotes, wolves and gophers, but then to buy a .243 for deer.

[shortroot]

Wiley,

A 22-250 is an adequate deer rifle if you can shoot it very well, and are very patient in the shot selection you use. I have seen plenty of deer drop to this round, in fact I don't think I ever saw one not drop. You just have to have exceptional shot placement and a good solid bullet to handle the high velocities. Shot placement is not difficult with this round as it is very mild recoil. Finding good factory ammo is a little more difficult as most is made for
varmit hunting or target shooting.

If you are looking for a low recoil deer round why not step up to a .260? I have a .243 and would like a larger round for more difficult angles and longer range (if required). I have been looking into a 6.5mm round for this function, don't have the funds yet though. The .243 is a very good deer round though, you won't go wrong with it, but I would prefer something a little larger.

[Kirby]

I would say, if the option is there, step up to a larger cal, 25-06, 260, .243. While the 22-250 will work for deer, it is on the light side, expecially when dealing with heavy bodied mulies. I would go with a heavy bullet, 75-80gr, in a premier construction, Noslers, Barnes X, etc. Be picky about your shots, and keep it close, and the rifle will work.

Kirby

[brotherjack]

Well, heck, people have killed deer with .22 rimfire - and a 22-250 has way more punch than that, so it could be done if you know where to put a bullet in the critter.

However, most discussions I've seen on the topic are that the 22-250 is a little small for a deer rifle. Usually in such discussions, a .243 is what I usually see as the smallest recommended caliber.

I don't have a lot of personal experience with being minimalistic about what I shoot critters with (I use a .303 british for everything bigger than a grouse - which is just a little less thump than a .30-06), so you can consider my answer hearsay. :)

[Gateholio]

I don't really wantto shoot a big bodied mue deer at a less than perfect angle with a 22-250, even with an X bullet.

But if you must, use a X or Partition or other well constructed bullet, pick your shot carefully, and place it correctly.

The .22 centerfires are not 'beginners" deer cartridges, they are for skilled marksmen and hunters.

[todbartell]

unless you're a great shot and have handloads made with 53 gr. X bullets or 60 gr. Nosler Partitions, I'd avoid it.

Very risky with a small caliber. Im not saying it wont work, but Im just saying there is dozens of cartridges better suited for deer sized game.

I'd go get that 243 and forget about the '250 for deer...better yet, get a 257 Roberts or 260 Rem at least.


my .02

[recoil]

another thing to consider is that if you are hunting up around PG or north do you really want to be armed with only a .22 caliber rifle if you encounter a G bear? i shoot a 30-06 because while it may be slight overkill on most deer it never hurts to be prepared, especially if you ever plan on hunting elk or moose too, just my 2 cents.

[TOP_PREDATOR]

I have not been to Canada yet!And only know a little bit about hunting up your way,but shooting deer with small rifles is quite common down here.I have seen Red deer(200-300lbs) shot with 223 and have shot 2 Elk cows myself with 22magnum get in close and head or neck shoot them,Speer do a .22 70gr semi-spitzer,like the other guys have said shooting deer with small rounds is not for beginers 243 with 100gr soft points is a good setup if you are recoil shy.Things are very different down here some of the things we do may be unsporting or illegal in Canada,i'm still learning what you guys can and can't do.

[todbartell]

its legal here in BC to hunt big game with a 22 centerfire but not common.

guys hunt moose in Sweden with 6.5x55's, here in Canada that is considered marginal.

slightly different mindset hunting on the different countries ;-)

[Gateholio]

A big moose in Sweden looks llike a nice, semi mature 'neat' bull here.

Dont' expect to see a 6 ioncherin Sween

[mark]

i agree with bro jack bigger is better

[youngbuck]

Persoanlly, I'd purchase a 6.5 mm rifle. They have minimal kick and can be deadly accurate, even at longer ranges. I shoot a 7X57 for deer and love it. I've heard of historical hunters shoot elephant with this same rifle but there are these kinds of stories for every calibre. I also have a 30-06 but that is usually reserved larger game.

[ch valley hunter]

Personally I have used a 300 WSM, 7MM, or 308 Norma for deer. With these guns you can shoot over good distances if necessary and the animal will drop. Also if you encounter a situation where you have to put the shot in the shoulder to drop it right away there is enough jam there. Lets face it in the bush there is rarely perfect shooting situations we aren't at the range there. I want to know that if my shot isn't perfect or the animal moves, branch in the way, what ever my gun will handle it. I work with a guy who uses a 300 Ultra mag for deer and loves it.
Just my thoughts.
Joel

[MB_Boy]

Just from my personal experience as well I would also look at the country you are hunting. I used to use a .243 for hunting deer in MB which is a good combination of some open area shooting but also some thicker bush and after one small branch diverted a shot on a nice whitetail I hung it up the next day and switched to using my .308 for deer. JMHO, but if you are going to question whether or not the rifle would do the job.....I would go bigger.

[todbartell]

A big moose in Sweden looks llike a nice, semi mature 'neat' bull here


true, but you see guys asking on these forums whether or not their 270 or 7mm is enough for calf moose! :!: :o

[Gus]

just my 2 cents, but i'd say you need to go bigger, especially around areas like PG where you'll not only encounter bear and moose, but more often then not run into mulies when deer hunting. I've seen the odd one take some bigger 30 cals, like an '06 or a 300 win.mag and keep going. I hear lots of guys using 243's and swear by it, but i'd say that might be a minimum. There is rarely a circumstance in the field when you'll get the perfect shot needed with the 250, so to me anyway, its nice to have some thump to make up for the lack of perfect shots out there.

[rrfred]

hi / doable yes =with lots of conditions, in the hands of a well practiced skilled shooter with the discipline to pass the iffy shots.- advisable, probly not. when I had my 22 250 i had 60 grain partitions loaded as b'up in case i bumped into something, but never took on anything big on with it. rather go to nice soft spoken a 243 257 or 260 7mm08. my .02 cheers

[junkyard_g]

Shot a 4x4 whitey the other day with a 22-250 with 60gr noslers. I was very impressed with how it penetrated. First shot blew a chunk out the shoulder, second shot clean pass Thur and lodged in far side hide.

[Bigdoggdon]

There's all kinds of things that will kill a deer with the right shot. I once heard an individual bragging about shooting deer in the head at 100yrds with a .17 HMR. Sure it works, but is it ethical? I seem to remember there used to be a listing in either the "it is unlawful" or "hunting methods" sections that you couldn't shoot big game with anything smaller than 6mm or .243, doesn't seem to be in there anymore thou.

[Salty]

But if you must, use a X or Partition or other well constructed bullet, pick your shot carefully, and place it correctly.



unless you're a great shot and have handloads made with 53 gr. X bullets or 60 gr. Nosler Partitions, I'd avoid it.


Kickin it old school. lol

[todbartell]

2017 now we'd hammer big moose with the 22-250 and a 50gr TTSX

[barry1974w]

If it was me I’d go with something with a bit more thump. As said, it’ll work, but if you have a marginal shot angle or hit a big bone you might be in trouble. As for the 243..... if you’re hunting around Prince George and points north (pretty much any direction actually), for most of the year there’s more than just deer open, and I’d consider the 243 for elk and moose the same as a 22-250 for deer, marginal. There’s lots of good choices out there depending on your tolerance to recoil and budget. 260, 7mm-08, 270, 280, 308, 30-06, the list goes on and on.... pick a rifle that feels good and shoot. Things were a lot simpler when I only had one big game rifle, when you were going hunting you didn’t have to make a decision about what rifle to take, you just took the one you had;). If you want to try a couple on for recoil shoot me a pm and we’ll see if we can get together and pop a few primers.

[lone wolf]

The 22-250 has been my primary rifle for several years. Deer , coyote , black bear. 55 grain factory ammo has worked well for me. Most important as mentioned from other posts is executing a precise shot. I would reccomend upgrading if your not 110 % confident . Besides we are always looking for reasons to upgrade.

[boblly1]

if you live in PG why not step over 243 go straight to 270 and you good for moose bear or mule deer. In one package set it up with 3x9x42mm leupold and you have my rifle lol

[Drillbit]

Mine has killed a few deer and several black bears.

55grnSP's. Hit them in the ribs and they're done.

[Rotorwash]

Most of my family hunt deer with a 223. They are always bugging me about over kill cause I pack my 2506 or 260 for deer. They all drop their deer with one shot and rarely do the deer run 20 yards.

A 22-250 packs a heck of a punch compared to a 223. The only downfall is the 1-12 or 1-14 twist most 250s have. They tend to only shoot 40 or 50 grainers well. The 60 grain partition fp work well if you can find them.

Mine is a 14 twist and only shoots 40 gr . But it shoots 1/4 groups. If I choose to take it deer hunting I would wait for a good neck shot.

I would love to rebarrel mine to an 8" twist and shoot the 75s

[358jess]

https://imgur.com/RLztzRj
This guy didn't like a 50 gr ttsx.
https://i.imgur.com/RLztzRj.jpg

[sawmill]

22.250? Meh. Sure it will do it ...if you are spot on. I have a .243 BLR I love but when elk and deer are open at the same time or I`m getting down to the end of the deer season and getting nervous I always go to my meat rifle, 30.06 Brno. It loves me and I love it, we work well together. 2 whities this fall, just like clockwork and one shot flops. Stick a .165 grn. through the ribs and you don`t waste meat.