My buddy has loaded his .22-250 ackely with the Barnes XLT and the Nosler Partition both bullets listed for deer size game and has had no trouble anchoring them with a scapula or high shoulder shot. But then hes only shot 2 or 3. A goodcal. for whitetails but not a greatcal. for whitetails. Personally Iprefer a.243 or.257 over a.22 cal.