.22 cal. bullets for whitetails

[JEFFPPC]

I think the hunter that shot that big Pa black bear was a young teen . It was written up in Pa Game News. Sometimes the deer dont cooperate. I shot a buck one time with a 6mm with a 80gr RemHP dead center in the neck bullet never expanded, looked like you punched an ice pick through its neck. It fell down then jumped up and ran. I saw were it went, put another guy at the end of the briar patch while I pushed through and he shot it. I would have not recovered that buck. Why did that bullet never expand, just life I guess.

 

[msinc]

I ain't knockin' anyone - just saying the 22 caliber wouldn't be my first choice for deer.

My experience with the Nosler Partition bullets is similar to yours - they tend to not group very well. Never tried them in a 22 caliber rifle but have tried them in a 308. I got 5 shot groups that average about 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards off the bench using IMR 4064. This is more than adequate for hunting deer - the Partition's claim to fame in their penetration ability while also expanding. However I never shot a deer with one - instead I've used the no frills 150 Sierra Pro Hunter. Shot a bunch with that bullet and it worked quite well. The two largest buck I ever took, i.e. 175 and 150 lbs field dressed, were taken with this bullet...…...

No sir, I didn't think you were. In fact, we are 110% on the same page. I actually had pretty decent accuracy with Nosler Partitions with everything but the 22 caliber ones. My favorite hunting rifle, a pre-64 Model 70 in 280 AI shoots fantastic with R26 and 170 grain Partitions. Deer kill is well in excess of 100, but admittedly most with my recurve.

 

[jaytee]

I ain't knockin' anyone - just saying the 22 caliber wouldn't be my first choice for deer.

I've been using the 50 grain and 55 grain Nosler BT's for many years hunting ghogs and predators. It's a very effective varmint bullet. I've never used it on deer - the bullet has a thin jacket and is designed for rapid expansion. I would think that it would have a difficult time penetrating to the vitals of a deer. But anything is possible when it comes to hunting.

My experience with the Nosler Partition bullets is similar to yours - they tend to not group very well. Never tried them in a 22 caliber rifle but have tried them in a 308. I got 5 shot groups that average about 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards off the bench using IMR 4064. This is more than adequate for hunting deer - the Partition's claim to fame in their penetration ability while also expanding. However I never shot a deer with one - instead I've used the no frills 150 Sierra Pro Hunter. Shot a bunch with that bullet and it worked quite well. The two largest buck I ever took, i.e. 175 and 150 lbs field dressed, were taken with this bullet.

I don't know how many deer you've taken but shot placement is the key to success regardless of the caliber used. However you have to penetrate to the vitals to make a clean kill. Even then it's not sure thing that the deer will drop where you've shot them. I've seen them run 100 yards with heart and lung shots - it's unpredictable. Using a bullet and caliber designed for deer increases your odds for a clean kill. With that said - I've taken several with the 85 Sierra BTHP in the 243 with behind the shoulder broadside shots. I actually believe it's more effective than the 100 grain Pro Hunter IF you avoid the shoulder.

I've taken plenty of deer in my 58 years, been hunting since I was 14 and I agree totally that shot placement is key. As I said in my original post, I prefer a head/neck shot and none of the deer that I've killed over the past 20 or so years have been over 100 yards, with the vast majority of them being in the 40 to 60 yard range I would guess. I'm just getting tired of packing around a 10 lb. rifle and was looking for something easier to carry. Might even consider going the AR-15 route with a .243 but not sure how that cartridge would perform out of a shorter barreled rifle.

 

[sw282]

l loaded some 60gr Hornady SP/FB for my 221FB.. They shot GREAT. Then l tried some 60gr Partitions... Not near the accuracy of these 60gr Hornady.. SP

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Speer 70 gr round nose. Shoot fine<1" @ 100 yds....Require faster twist than 8" or lots of speed. Never could get mine over 2900 fps with 220 Swift and 22" barrel.

 

[Sniper338]

In a 14 twist.. berger FB varmint. Ahoot em in the neck or head! I killed a lot of deer with this set up. Dont waste meat either that way.

 

[Coleridge]

Hopefully, you understand that, a .22-250 is going 3,700+ FPS and not slowing too much at, 100 yards ! EVER heard of,.. hydro static,.. SHOCK ???
The Hydro Pressure, opened him up like he was "Gutted" ! Only thing left to, cut out of him, was his Heart and asszzHole, EVERYTHING else, ( Lungs/ Guts, etc. ) was flopping around between, his heels ! It was,.. Ugly !
/QUOTE]

I always thought my 300WM was bad deer medicine, but I'M BUYING A 22-250 after that testimate to it's killing power!!! Damn what a hole in one! Never seen the whole lungs just fall out...

 

[TZaun]

I always thought my 300WM was bad deer medicine, but I'M BUYING A 22-250 after that testimate to it's killing power!!! Damn what a hole in one! Never seen the whole lungs just fall out...

If you’re going for as much meat as possible, make sure you load it down a long ways.

 

[Intheshop]

I've had bang flops with 223's and cheapo TNT's..... and then,the biggest buck I ever killed was center hit with a WFO 180g handloaded 30-06,taking the top of the heart off. At 75 yds...... thing ran a 1/4 of a mile into the thickest,meanest briar and overgrown "mess" in the county.

Live game shooting obviously is about shot placement and ethics,but there's always a roll of the dice.Yes I've shot deer with 22's but,as others have said above,there are better choices.

 

[Hohn]

Horse hockey!

 

[Hohn]

I can't say I'd recommend a .223 for deer (although legal in some areas), but I will say that the wrong bullet in .243 will do worse than an appropriate bullet in .223. Bullet choice> cartridge choice.

The cartridge case is just a means to an end, and the bullet is too stupid to know what it was launched from. Pick a bullet suited to the speeds it will see at the ranges you intended to shoot. Stay within those limits. Take and make good shots.

Enjoy the meat.

 

[Jim Bridger]

I have owned a .220 Swift for more years than I care to mention. I have never used them for shooting anything larger than coyote.
I know hunters that have successfully taken Elk and Moose with a Swift. My Ruger #1 Swift shoots a 70 grs. bullet very well. I think it would be great on Prong Horns here in Wyoming.

 

[mikeinct]

in that twist rate. I'd try the old school, Sierra 55 grain semi-pointed soft point #1350.

 

[vonb]

I have a 8 twist .22-250. My next load workup is going to be with the new(er) Speer 75 gr Gold Dot bonded bullet. If these are as good as I hope, I think they'll make for an excellent antelope/deer round.