Ky, I for one don't think that you have anything to appologize for!
If its legal to use the .22's, you are hunting legal! That is about the best that I can say for the use of any .22 for big game hunting!
The place to test your guns and show off your accuracy, is at the range, not in the hunting field!
And to advise anyone who is buying a gun for deer, to buy any .22 is totally irresponsible! Especially when you know nothing of their shooting ability!
They should be incouraged to get an adequate caliber, practice, and shoot for the big target, not the head!