RE: deer rifle ?
 

Will a 222 kill a deer? You bet! But I hope that I will always be able to stand the recoil of a 243 because I feel that it is the minimum cartridge that I would ever want to take deer hunting.

RE: deer rifle ?
 

thanks for the input now all I have to do is convince my wife that I need to buy another gun

RE: deer rifle ?
 

The knee-jerk reaction to your question will always be: "NO, it is NOT adequate for deer" because it is a varmint cartridge, etc. This is pretty much true as a rule, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE SHOOTING FACTORY-LOADED AMMO IN IT. Factory loads use very fragile bullets intended to blow up on things as small as ground squirrels, crows, prairie dogs, and such little critters. Such bullets don't penetrate well enough to kill a deer except with a shot behind the shoulder that hits nothing but a rib on the way in, and then destroys the lungs. Even with a shot like this, the deer will often run a considerable distance, and the little bullet hole doesn't let out enough blood, if any at all, to give you a means to track the critter in those thick woods you've got in the northern zone of NY!!

However, if you use a handload with a Nosler 60-grain Partition bullet, or one of the .224 Barnes X bullets, the penetrating powder of the .222 is increased a significant degree, allowing shooting of much bigger animals. For example, a friend of mine in Alaska's 12-year old son took a couple of large mountain goats with a .222, and they are at least as hard to kill as an Adirondack buck. HOWEVER, even with these bullets, shot placement is very critical, and again, you cannot expect instantaneous, drop-on the spot kills (unless you use a brain shot!!), nor will these bullets improve the blood trail problem.

But I must add that the .243, which some folks advocate, is not a whole lot better in this respect! After all, its' bullet is only two hundredths of an inch bigger around, and it will not penetrate any deeper than a premium .224 bullet of equal sectional density launched at the same speed.

Get a 6.5X55, .260 Rem., 7mm/08, or .308 and be happy!!

RE: deer rifle ?
 

I also took quite a few deer with the 222/20 Ga over and under Savage. Loaded with Barnes X or trophy bonded bullets it will do the job. My minimum deer rifle now is the 250 Savage. Between the 243 and the 223 or 222, I would flip a coin.

RE: deer rifle ?
 

I remember reading a tale by Jim Carmichel, shooting guru for Outdoor Life. He was returning from Africa and his guns were on the plain to the U.S.of A. He stopped off in Scotland I believe and a friend invited him to a "hunting club" to cull some Fallow deer. (a european deer somewhat smaller than a whitetail) Carmichel had his choice of two club rifles he could borrow. A .300 win. mag. and a .222. He took the .222 to the range and found it a superb shooter so somewhat hesitantly chose it. He then shot a number of deer very dead, all one shot kills. He ended the article not recommending the .222 as a deer round but being surprized at how well it knocked over the fallow deer.

Robin

RE: deer rifle ?
 

In Ontario 22 cal. centerfire is not legal for big game for good reasons. Many have been mentioned already and they simply leave to many injured animals if everything is not perfect. They also tend to deflect easily in thick cover. The .243 I would consider minimum as it offers bullets in the 100 g. range and far more energy downrange compared to the .22 bullets. I personally use a 25-06 and have never had even large deer travel more than a few steps.

Best Wishes

RE: deer rifle ?
 

Back in my younger days when options were limited in the household I used a 222 for two seasons. I took a buck in both of those years. I was very familiar with the rifle and it was incredibly accurate. Both of the deer were taken with neck shots and dropped in their tracks. With that being said you have to be prepared to pass up shots that are not ideal. If you are not able to do that then don't even consider using it. The 243 is really a better choice to be considered the minimum caliber. If you can swing the purchase of a higher caliber you should do it, your shot options really increase.

WSMDan

RE: deer rifle ?
 

If you are from NYS,you could use a 50 cal muzzleloader.It can be used in most places that shotguns are allowed so you don't have to travel,yet get the rifle accuracy.

RE: deer rifle ?
 

If you're strapped for cash and can't afford a new rig, then go with the 222 and use hotter loads with premium bullets. But if not, why take the risk of losing an animal due to shooting a marginal caliber? Taking risks like that and losing animals are not only inhumane, but its the stuff that the anti's get all wound up too. I'm not saying go out and drop a grand on a new rifle/scope, but like mentioned above, the NEF Handi-rifle won't break the bank. If you decide to go that route, I'd also bypass the 243 and go with something bigger. Yes the 243 is a great double-duty rifle(deer and varmints), but you've already got a good varminter in the 222, so why not get a caliber thats more suited for bigger game? just a thought.

RE: deer rifle ?
 

i wouldn't reccomend the .222 to anyone for deer. Anything smaller than 23 caliber is illegal here in KS. I agree with everyone else....243 is the smallest i would go, and i wouldn't reccomend the .243 for deer, here is my out look for the .243, kill a deer if shot placement is right-yes knock them on their butt-no. I personally prefer something a bit bigger. My smallest deer rifle is a 6.5mm, and my favorite is 8mm. .222 just isn't enough umph to knock a deer down...and head shots are a little brutal. good luck