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.22 cal. bullets for whitetails

In a 14" twist?

Sorry - I glided right over the 1:14 barrel twist. The ogee isn't extreme on the 62 gr so Maybe, but probably better trying the 53gr. Can always test the barrel with a standard 55 FMJ and see how she does. If there isn't any keyholing then spend the $35 to test either the Barnes TSX in 53gr or 55gr.

If your gun can handle it (twist rate) the 62gr is best performer for max weight, solid accuracy, and consistent expansion.
 
70 gr. Nosler Accubond would be a great choice on deer but I think u would need about 1 - 8 Twist rate to make it work as intended.
 
I'VE PUT SOME FINE BACKSTARPS ON THE TABLE WITH A 53GR BARNES TTSX THEY DO A FINE JOB FOR ME IN MY 223
 
I've killed a few of them with the rugger 77 mk2 with the old 55 gr Remington core locks... little hole going in and a tennis ball sized hole coming out.... usually dropped them where they stood...
 
To the OP. Stick w/ the 243, using 90g and above. There is no 22 bullet that should be used on deer or antelope.
Why would you even consider it, if a 243 is not only an option, but a much better one.
 
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To the OP. Stick w/ the 243, using 90g and above. There is no 22 bullet that should be used on deer or antelope.
Why would you even consider it, if a 243 is not only an option, but a much better on.
I AGREE with, THIS statement,.. TOTALLY ! An 85 JHP Sierra, 87 ( Berger HVLD), 90- 100 grain Sp's/ Ballistic Tip's in a .243 Win ( and most 6mm's) IS a "good" Deer Rifle/ Cal. with, PROPER Bullet's of course and range, dependent ! Once, when young and stupid, I shot, a Muley with, my .22-250 Rem. 55 grain SP bullet, after the shot, the poor thing was, running, jumping around and tripping on it's, guts ( IT was, a precise standing broadside "still", shot, right behind, the shoulder ! ),.. NEVER, again ! The .22-250 class Rifles are FINE for Varmints ! IMHO,.. NOTHING bigger than, Coyotes/ Wolves ! Our Deer, deserve,.. BETTER !
 
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We have a "Crop" of Young, impressionable, Hunters / Shooters coming up behind us,.. WHY teach them to be "Minimalists" by,.. inhumanely Killing, OUR wild Game that was, put on Earth by God, to feed us ! Why ??? ALWAYS use,.. "enough", Gun !
 
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Once, when young and stupid, I shot, a Muley with, my .22-250 Rem. 55 grain SP bullet, after the shot, the poor thing was, running, jumping around and tripping on it's, guts ( IT was, a precise standing still shot, right behind, the shoulder ! )

A precise shot right behind the shoulder that opened up all the way to the belly? Sounds like you had too much gun. o_O
 
The .22 is one enough for many but not all hunters for deer. But in the right hands it is deadly. Of course in many hands any thing is not enough or right. How many who are so set against it have actual creditable experience with it? The most ugly deer kill I ever witnessed was multiple shots, 10 hits, one guy finally drowned it in a little stream it fell into. Both parties involved with 30 30s. I have seen a lot of deer, 2 dozen plus killed with either a .223 or .220Swift and all but 2 fell in their tracks or within 1 jump. One was hit it the guts when it stepped as shot, it went about 50 yrs, layed down and died quickly. One we never figured out was double lungged went 500 yrs or so before falling over. As far as .243 bullets a have personally shot about a dozed or more deer with 75 gr Sierra HP or the old Rem 80 HP. Every one fell in its tracks. Shot one running broad side clipped back on the shoulder blades with 85 Sierra HP, exited with decent hole, ran 50 yrs fell dead. Never shot one myself with a 90 or 100 gr heard to many tales of long chases with good hits with the 90 and 100 gr. My ex did shoot a buck running up the far side of a big hollow with her 243 and 100 gr Pro Hunter, hit it right between the shoulder blades at a little shy of 200 yds. Really good shot. Deer went down like a ton of bricks but flopping not dead. Walked over to finish him off. Took him home and skinned him. Bullet hit vertabra, blew up did not penetrate spine. Puzzling, but life happens. Just some of my experiences over 70 plus years. Oh, seen quite a few running around on 3 legs result of the Magnum Flinch. Maybe my respect or the .22s started when I was first old enough to hunt. My Suday School teacher invited my dad and I to go to his camp for the first day. He had a blue box of Peters 222 's with 1 live round and 19 empty cases, each representing the buck it killed. We were already to celebrate number 20. First morning dad and I heard a light crack just after daylight, we knew, 20 for 20 . Nope , he missed. Said he knew cross hairs where off when gun cracked. Gotta hit em to get em.
 
A precise shot right behind the shoulder that opened up all the way to the belly? Sounds like you had too much gun. o_O
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 !
IMO,.. The .243Win, IS, a "better", choice ! PS; an "Expert" can shoot em' with, a .22 Lr,.. in the Head but, most of these Kids, nowadays, AREN'T,.. "Experts" !
YouTube's got them, shooting Game at, 1,000 to 1,400 Yards and laughing about it "when" they "Hit" something,.. Hunting is, becoming a,. "Joke" to some of, the NooB's !
 
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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.
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.
Now that's,.. some,. EXPERIENCE,.. talking !
 
This maybe kind of dumb but here goes. Does a under stabilized bullet shoot poorly right from the get go or, does it does it get inaccurate down range a bit. I had a .243 1/10 that shot 80s to 500 yards just great. I tried several 95s and 100s and they shot quite well out to 200 and went the hell after that. Mike
 
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 !
IMO,.. The .243Win, IS, a "better", choice ! PS; an "Expert" can shoot em' with, a .22 Lr,.. in the Head but, most of these Kids, nowadays, AREN'T,.. "Experts" !
YouTube's got them, shooting Game at, 1,000 to 1,400 Yards and laughing about it "when" they "Hit" something,.. Hunting is, becoming a,. "Joke" to some of, the NooB's !

Horse hockey!
 
Hands down there are better options then a .223 for hunting that provide a greater lethality. You don't have to jump to a 308 case size in order to be safe, effective and humane. Th easiest based on .223 is a 6x45 that can take advantage of all great 80gr hunting bullets used in 243 Win. There are any number of smaller cartridges that will get the job done with less powder, but still lethal...

Personally, I would pick something with heavier bullet. If you're within 300 yards then there is a selection of smaller cartridges. To name a few then 6x45, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 Spc, 300 Blackout, or even 7.62x39.

OP - if a .223 is what you have and rebarreling isn't an option then you can make do with .223, but you will need to make the shot...little margin for error.
 
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.

The 60 grain NP is definitely a killer, but my experience with that bullet is that they don't exactly shoot "stellar" out of anything I have ever tried. So, why worry about twist or being stabile?? About the best I have seen with 22 caliber Partitions is 3-4" groups at 100 with any twist. Hell I can do that with a 1-in-14 and 69 grain bullets!! If you can hit a deer with one it will die and probably quickly.

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.


Based on what this bullet will do to a woodchuck out of a 223 I have to say if it will do that to a deer then you got a winner.
All that said, I don't hunt deer with anything 22 caliber, but to each his own. I aint knockin' nobody for it.
 
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The .22 is one enough for many but not all hunters for deer. But in the right hands it is deadly. Of course in many hands any thing is not enough or right. How many who are so set against it have actual creditable experience with it? The most ugly deer kill I ever witnessed was multiple shots, 10 hits, one guy finally drowned it in a little stream it fell into. Both parties involved with 30 30s. I have seen a lot of deer, 2 dozen plus killed with either a .223 or .220Swift and all but 2 fell in their tracks or within 1 jump. One was hit it the guts when it stepped as shot, it went about 50 yrs, layed down and died quickly. One we never figured out was double lungged went 500 yrs or so before falling over. As far as .243 bullets a have personally shot about a dozed or more deer with 75 gr Sierra HP or the old Rem 80 HP. Every one fell in its tracks. Shot one running broad side clipped back on the shoulder blades with 85 Sierra HP, exited with decent hole, ran 50 yrs fell dead. Never shot one myself with a 90 or 100 gr heard to many tales of long chases with good hits with the 90 and 100 gr. My ex did shoot a buck running up the far side of a big hollow with her 243 and 100 gr Pro Hunter, hit it right between the shoulder blades at a little shy of 200 yds. Really good shot. Deer went down like a ton of bricks but flopping not dead. Walked over to finish him off. Took him home and skinned him. Bullet hit vertabra, blew up did not penetrate spine. Puzzling, but life happens. Just some of my experiences over 70 plus years. Oh, seen quite a few running around on 3 legs result of the Magnum Flinch. Maybe my respect or the .22s started when I was first old enough to hunt. My Suday School teacher invited my dad and I to go to his camp for the first day. He had a blue box of Peters 222 's with 1 live round and 19 empty cases, each representing the buck it killed. We were already to celebrate number 20. First morning dad and I heard a light crack just after daylight, we knew, 20 for 20 . Nope , he missed. Said he knew cross hairs where off when gun cracked. Gotta hit em to get em.

I've been hunting for about 50 years now and in my experience when it come to hunting - nothing is absolute. However the 85 Sierra BTHP is one of the best bullets I ever used in the 243 on a deer as long as you keep the shot behind the shoulder on a broadside shot. Never lost one to it but I'm not saying it can't never happen.

Several years ago I was hunting a farm which had a lot of nice deer - had seen them while hunting ghogs that summer. I was hunting a field over the hill from where the farmer's son was hunting. I heard a single shot and assumed he dropped his deer. He's a very good field shot and excellent hunter - he was in his mid twenties at that time. Later when I returned to my truck I saw him sitting on the porch but no deer hanging near the shed where we typically butchered them. He proceeds to tell me that he shot a giant 10 point, about 125 yards with his 7MM magnum and the deer dropped immediately. When he walked up to gut it, it stood up and ran off. There was a pool of blood where the deer had laid when it fell. The next day I helped him to try and find the deer but we never found it. There was no snow and we lost the blood trail. He was using factory ammo. True story.

One of the largest black bears in PA at the time was taken by a guy with a 30-30. About 20 years ago as I recall.

I sure there are guys who have taken deer with a 222 / 233 class rifle with well placed shots. It just wouldn't be my first choice.
 
The 60 grain NP is definitely a killer, but my experience with that bullet is that they don't exactly shoot "stellar" out of anything I have ever tried. So, why worry about twist or being stabile?? About the best I have seen with 22 caliber Partitions is 3-4" groups at 100 with any twist. Hell I can do that with a 1-in-14 and 69 grain bullets!! If you can hit a deer with one it will die and probably quickly.




Based on what this bullet will do to a woodchuck out of a 223 I have to say if it will do that to a deer then you got a winner.
All that said, I don't hunt deer with anything 22 caliber, but to each his own. I aint knockin' nobody for it.


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.
 

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