.22 cal. bullets for whitetails

[jaytee]

I posted a thread a few days ago about looking for a sporter weight Ruger M77 or No.1 in a 220 Swift. Still haven't found one but upon reading some other threads got me to thinking about proper bullet selection for whitetail hunting with a Swift. I currently own two, both varmint barreled Ruger's in a 77 and No. 1 and I like the cartridge but I've never deer hunted with it or anything smaller then a 243. I've not loaded in a few years and was wondering what bullets are out there that would be great for deer and would those bullets perform well in a factory twist Ruger, which I'm guessing is 1:14.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Barnes 45 tsx bullet's for that twist. They will put a 3/4"-1" hole all the way through a deer . they are good to go.

 

[sawcarver]

With a 1-14 you're going to be hard pressed to run anything over a 55gr, so that is going to limit your bullet selection a fair amount. Also most of the 55gr and under bullets are going to be varmint bullets.

I used a 55gr Vmax out of a 223 to put down a wounded deer, wasnt my first coice but what I had in the truck when I got called to help track. It was less than ideal, took more than one, but thats only a sample of one and it had already been hit so it was full of adrenaline.

I'm curious if anyone has any good light deer bullets

 

[varmintshooter]

I have killed a couple with sierra's #1365 which is the Gameking and more of a big game type bullet. It is also a very good choice for coyote. They make a 65 gr Gameking but it may not work with a 14 twist.

 

[ms6852]

I've culled some whitetail deer and does using Hornadys 75gr BTHP on my AR15 and a few 200 pound hogs as well. I personally don't like going with a lighter bullet.

 

[johnfred1965]

With that twist, you might get by with the 60 grain partition, since it has a flat base it will be a little shorter

 

[K22]

Never hunted deer with a 22 caliber rifle nor would I but if I was forced to use one I'd opt for the 60 Nosler partition (for penetration reasons) but I don't think it will group in a 14" twist rifle. Granted you don't need a tack driver for deer so maybe if you kept you shots close enough it might work.

Something to ponder - what if a deer of a life time walks out within rifle range? Wouldn't you want something more effective? It's hard enough dropping them with a deer cartridge / bullet let alone one designed for varmint hunting.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have done well over the years with a .223 and Sierra 55 gr. Game Kings out to 200yds. More fall in their tracks then run 25 yds. They usually exit if shot just behind shoulder blade, surprising hole size.Lent a buddy a .223 one yr., both he and his father killed 200 yd deer, DRT. He retired his M70 3006 . If you pick your shots no problem.
..

 

[Bill K]

You might try the old 60 grain Nosler Partition, they seem to work well in many 22 cal on deer and pigs.

 

[Pyscodog]

I have a box of 64 grain HSM Police ammunition. I always get a chuckle when I read the box as I never knew police ever used a Swift for police work. Anyway, they shoot just OK in my Ruger 77. OK meaning minute of deer. They aren't exactly what I would call "Tack Drivers" by any means. Two box's of them were given to me and I use them for fouling my barrel and then keep the brass as it Winchester. They would work for deer in a pinch. But I would want then no farther than 100yds.

 

[dfrosch]

I've culled many does with a 50 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. Most were neck or head shots, but a couple went behind the shoulder. Never lost one.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

220 Swift...Speer 70gr round nose soft point..Ruger #3 223 rechambered to 220.
Longest deer kill 1 shot 385-400 yds. Ruger 77 220 Nosler 52 gr bt/sp 3900 fps.

 

[littlebuddybr]

Speer 70gr. It will do the job well.
Used them in the 22-250.

 

[jaytee]

I've culled many does with a 50 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. Most were neck or head shots, but a couple went behind the shoulder. Never lost one.

Even when I'm shooting my .243 No.1 I've always held out for a head/neck shot and most of my shots will be under 200 yards. Zero meat loss, no muss no fuss when field dressing, just a cleaner job all the way around. Just wondering about stabilizing bullets over 55 or 60 gr. in a 14 twist barrel which seems to be the norm on nearly all factory barreled Swifts.

 

[AckleymanII]

55g Speer Gold dots are a bonded bullet, very accurate in my 223's.

63g Sierra WILL stabalize in a 14 Twist, use any version of 4350. I shot these in Swifts and 22/250 14T when the throats got real long, super accurate bullet with excellent killing ability.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Barnes 45 tsx

 

[littlebuddybr]

Even when I'm shooting my .243 No.1 I've always held out for a head/neck shot and most of my shots will be under 200 yards. Zero meat loss, no muss no fuss when field dressing, just a cleaner job all the way around. Just wondering about stabilizing bullets over 55 or 60 gr. in a 14 twist barrel which seems to be the norm on nearly all factory barreled Swifts.

14 twist won't stabilize most bullets over 55gr. But there are a few it will.

 

[Oso]

Barnes 62gr TSX. You'll need to test to see if it stabilizes in your barrel. Buy a box and find out.

 

[Adam in WI]

Barnes 62gr TSX

In a 14" twist?

 

[Mark W]

55g Speer Gold dots are a bonded bullet, very accurate in my 223's.

63g Sierra WILL stabalize in a 14 Twist, use any version of 4350. I shot these in Swifts and 22/250 14T when the throats got real long, super accurate bullet with excellent killing ability.

That Sierra 63 SMP was bullet that came to mind when I saw this thread. It’s super accurate in my 1:14 22-250 and 1:12 .233. From Sierras description, it didn’t sound like something good for deer. I’ve not shot any animals with myself.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/22-caliber-63-gr-smp/