This would probably fit better in the "big game" area but since we are talking about the 22-250 and deer here I'll post it here as well.


Seems we are always discussing what big game animal should be shot with what cartridge and bullet. So, I thought I would post some numbers for all to read and what animals they were designed to be used on. I'll quote energy levels at 200 yards, I figure this would be about average for a centerfire rifle. Dangerous game energy levels will be figured at 100 yards.

DANGEROUS GAME ANIMALS
416 Remington 400 grain @ 2400 fps.
5115 foot pounds at the muzzle and at 100 yards 4215 foot pounds.

Figuring a 1500 pound animal (cape buffalo) that comes out to .267 grains of bullet weight to pound of animal and 2.81 foot pounds per pound of animal.

LARGE BIG GAME (ELK AND MOOSE)
338 Win mag, 225 grain @ 2800 fps.
3060 foot pounds at 200 yards.

A 700 pound elk comes out to .321 grains of bullet per pound of animal and 4.37 foot pounds per pound of animal

A 1000 pound moose comes out to .225 grains of bullet per pound and 3.06 foot pounds per pound of animal.


DEER SIZE ANIMALS.
.270 Win, 130 grain bullet @ 3060fps.
1990 foot pounds at 200 yards

A 200 pound deer that comes out to .65 grains of bullet weight per pound of animal and 9.95 foot pounds per pound of animal.

A 22-250 firing a 60 grain bullet generates 830 foot pounds at 200 yards.
That same 200 pound deer comes out to .3 grains of bullet per pound of animal and 4.15 foot pounds per pound of animal.



Looks like the 22-250 figures are right in line with useing a 338 Winchester magnum for elk. Which many argue is the "perfect" elk cartridge.

So why is it acceptable to use less gun per pound of animal when we go after animals like the cape buffalo but when it comes to animals like deer we have to go so far overboard with the "guns" that we use.




ALL OF THIS IS ASSUMING ONE WOULD USE A PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED BULLET FOR THE "JOB" AT HAND.