22-250 for antelope

[harrell]

i was reading the post on 270 for antelope. was wondering if 22-250 was large enough for goats? would like to here your comments thanks.

[Vapodog]

It may not be legal in some states.

I've shot deer successfully with a .222 and I know folks that swear by their .220 Swift as a deer rifle. Antelope (pronghorns) are less animal...lighter skinned and lighter weight. In my experience it don't take much to stop them. Their only defence is to run and almost anything can curb their running. I'd venture that using a .22-250 for pronghorns where it is legal would be ok.....I'd prefer a .243 but the .22-250 should work fine for you.

[Wolf killer]

I have used my 22-250 to kill antelope & whitetail deer. I shot the antelope buck at 70-yards just behind the shoulder. The whitetails were both shot in the head.
I doubt that I will ever use my 22-250 for deer or antelope hunting again? I killed all 3-animals Ihave shot with my 22-250. My problem is "what if" I screw up & make a bad shot? I own other rifles that are better choices for hunting rifles. My 25-06, 7mm-stw, 300-win mag or 375-r.u.m. are better choices than my 22-250. My 25-06 is my newdeer/antelope rifle.

[Roskoe]

Antelope have frail bodies that are not very resistent to big game bullets. A .22-250 with a good 55 grain expanding bullet should work just fine. Although not legal in Colorado, rumor has it that a 55 grain Ballistic Tip will kill a goat reliably as long as you shoot them in the ribs - not in the shoulder.

[Gundigest]

I would use a bullet like the 60gr partition or the 53gr TSX. Or some other good medium to large game style hunting bullet. I loaded up some 60gr partitions for my .223 to try for deer. I agree with Wolf Killer though, if you have a larger caliber you should use it, it is not always possible to make a good shot. I will be taking my 7x57 with a 120 gr TSX or my 300 WSM with a 130gr TSX when I go antelope hunting.

[RedAllison]

harrell if you live in lope country and will be spending more than a couple of days hunting them and it isn't costing you several thousand dollars then I would say go right ahead and try it! For the traveling hunter they haven't the time to "wait on the perfect shot" but if you are around them all season and don't mind letting a few good ones go because the right shot isn't there, then have a ball. For reloading I certainly would be ALLOVER the 53grn TSX. The 60 NP is about as heavy as you will stabilize in a stock 250 barrel.

I just bought a 22/250 a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to use it on does here in the south. I have 4 boxes of Federal Premium Vital Shock 55grn Trophy Bonded Bear Claws. Sure they will penetrate one lung easily and possibly even two, but why not take the more sure shot? Put it about 6" behind the ear and get out your skinnin knife! Deer and lope sized game (and pretty much ANY sized game when you think about it) are highly, highly allergic to fast bullets through the central nervous system. But just be patient and wait for the correct shot, chest or quartering shots are NOT what I would recommend for big game with a 22/250.

"...DOWN goes Frasier..."
RA

[cherokee_outfitters]

I've also taken whitetail with a 22-250 for one I was not impressed. 22-250 is a awesome coyote gun and capable of killing alot of things alot bigger but its not intended for that.

[Rockfish1]

Put it about 6" behind the ear and get out your skinnin knife!

if that deer is standing upright and you shoot 6" behind the ear ya missed it... the only thing you'll be getting your knife out for is to get your shirt tail removed for missing the deer... shooting deer in the head with anything is a sure fire way to mess up a shot... to small a target and it moves way to much... have seen to many over the years that had a jaw hanging from a blown head shot... slide a good 55-60gr bullet through the ribs and you've got meat on the ground...

if you're lucky enough to have an Encore in 22-250 you may be able to get away with a 64-65 gr bullet as they have a 1-12" twist in them instead of the industry standard 1-14"... mine shoots the Winchester 64gr Power Point extremely well...

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: harrell

i was reading the post on 270 for antelope. was wondering if 22-250 was large enough for goats? would like to here your comments thanks.

I think with a Barnes X or a Nosler Partition bullet, the .22/250 would make a superb antelope rifle!

[BigBob .30-06]

harrell,
I've taken a lot of antelope and have wondered the same thing. Nosler makes a 60 grain Partition bullet in .224 that ought to do the job ok if it's placed in the ribs, I just have a problem with using any .224 on goats. Let us know what happens. Good luck.