I have one and have killed 2 deer with it, but it is not my choice for hunting deer.

can't use in Indiana.rifle has to use a pistol cart. like a .44 mag., but a .22-.250 will kill a deer.ive heard of pouchers using .22 mags

Black bear should be fine with the .243, but for big grizzlies and polar bears I'd have to say take the 30-30. I know it's a little on the powerful side but it's better to carry a large fast bullet with extra knockdown power for dangerous game. I guess that you could drop down to the new 125 grain loads if you're worried about the gun kicking too much. :fighting0007:

On a serious note, .22 cal centerfires are capable of killing deer efficiently. The heavier bullets need a faster rate of twist so you need to make sure that your gun can handle the bullets. Even with the right bullets you have to be carefull at the shot. It's very important to not take shots that angle towards you, the front shoulder can mess up your chances if it's hit on the way in. If you have the proper setup and your patient enough to wait for a clear broadside shot, go for it. Hunters love a challenge.

They're not legal here in NY but I'm pretty sure with the right bullet/placement it will get the job done.That said I would still use nothing less than a .243 absolute minimum on deer.

NY law states that "any center fire rifle" is legal. That is unless you are in a zone that restricts big game hunting to slugs and MLs.

I have never used anything smaller than a 7mm for deer but I wouldnt hesitate to use a 223 or even a 22hornet on broadside shots within 100yds. Seen too many guys kill deer and hogs efficently w/ them.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/35010.html

I don't think a 22 -250 would have a lot of knockdown power so I would not deer hunt with it . I buy a 25-06 or 30-06 or higher.

I have shot a few deer with my 22-250. I use a 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip and every deer dropped on the spot. Passthrough's on all also except for one i shot through the shoulder which the bullet made it clean to the offside ribs. Just gotta have good shot placement and know your limitation as far as distance goes.

I just checked and you're right.I could have sworn .22 cal was illegal for deer.Maybe they changed it or I just read past rules wrong.

Well... That is just not true.

In most places it is legal to hunt deer with a .22 centerfire. 43 states allow rifles for deer hunting. Of those, 35 allow .22 centerfires.

Below: Black means no rifles. Red means no .22 cf's. Green means .22 cf's are OK...

You can bang a nail into a board with a wrench, I prefer to use a hammer.




Right tool for the right job...................

It's amazing how these posts pop back up, the original poster probably isn't even around anymore...

It's also amazing how many who have no experience with using a 22-250 think it can't or shouldn't be done...:biggrin:

Its been legal to use any centerfire going back at least to 02' .I remember checking that specifically when I moved to a rifle zone, and wondered if I could use my mini 14 legally. Never tried it though.

I have 3 different friends that all use the same exact rifle , an H&R 22 hornet ,they all are good hunters ,who kill some nice bucks and they swear by it. Personally I think they like that puny hornet cause A) it doesnt make alot of noise and they dont get much complaints from the niegbors and b) theyre all cheap bastards! One guy will spend 300$ on a bass rod but wont buy a gun over 200$ LOL

I think most peoples bais againt a 22 CF, is the fact that the cartrige itself is so small and whimpy looking, but I really cant see a whitetail hit broadside behind the shoulder, going too far. I helped skin a hog, shot w/ a AR15 ,for someone once , messed up the vitals pretty good. I would only use 55gr or better, soft points though.

I really wouldn't use a 22 calibur for deer , especially the deer I hunt. I might use one if I had to , but the deer I hunt have big bodies so I know I wouldn't even consiter use a 22 caliber for anything but squirrel and rabbit .

If I were you I would use the old 30-06.

If you are hunting in Indiana make sure you can use that cartridge. I thought the law was that it had to be a pistol cartridge to be able to use it. I could be wrong though. If I am right, then I would look at a 44 mag. They don't kick much and I know H&R makes a nice Handi Rifle in that cartridge.

a .22-250 would demolish rabbits and other small game. It can handle deer, there is better choices, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
-Jake

I would personally go the .270/ .30/06 or .300 winny mag so your confident to drop them. My dad at the start of the year took me out to see if I could handle the .270 and I was addicted to it like flies on a terd. (By the way I m 12) so see if your kids can handle something like that.

It shreads them.:devil:

:sign0018:

ill stick with my 30-30 for anything

i got a friend of mine that has been using one now for about 3 years an he loves it the only down fall that he seen this past year was he shot a 150inch 10 an didnt pull off a good shot an it took us 3 days to find the deer

would put it against any caliber out there as far as deer go. i have had one for 17+ years and have taken many deer with it and in fact took my very first deer with one. as far as range goes dont limit myself to 200 yrds just because i know where to put the bullet and is the same place you should shoot any deer no matter what caliber you use(behind the shoulder broadside). in my opinion. also i know how my gun shoots and that is why. not knockin anybodys opinion just want to let people know what they are capable of doing for the simple fact that i have heard this conversation a million times and my reply is always the same. just my $.02.

22-250
 

If you are against the 22-250 for deer hunting... then you probably do not have much experience hunting with it. I have killed deer withmy 22-250...it work fine. Don't expect a blood trail. I think it
make you take a better shot.

Dang ! I can't believe how long this post has lasted!:eek2:
Well, seeing that I'm probably the only on left who hasn't replied
on it I'll put my comment in as well.
The 22-250 is very well a dear gun( I know a few people that use them with success), in the right hands any gun can kill immense creatures if the shot is placed precisely where you need it.
However, I think the original question was regarding the fact that you were wanting to get one for your kids when they reach hunting age?
I would say no, unless you spend a whole lot of time (and money on ammo) at the range getting them use to hitting that "sweet spot".
I would also recommend that you get them something that will last awhile and they could grow with, a 243 is a good caliber or even a.308 shooting 130 grain bullet has about the same recoil.

You dang skippy I do.

It makes them disappear in a mist of red right in front of your eyes.

iSnipe

at 4200 fps the 22-250 can take deer at over 500 yards up to 1200 yards even. the deer drop like a rocks (bak to shot placement thing) and even if it aint a good shot the deer will die. 22-250 goes through hogs like a hot knife though butter. and those were 45g bullets...if you have a 70g i would imagine your fps will go down but it would definitely kill anything

I personally don't like the idea. I prefer the big gun and the trusty one. The ols' springfield 30-06!

Heck yeah it wil get the job done. Just read the 223 thread, it has all the answers as to why.

I still stand by original comment if your answer is prefaced with "In the right hands" or the simple fact that in your own mind you question its ability due to the fact that you have to even ask if it is good enough should be justificatin enough to stay away from those rounds.

I have been using a 22-.250 for deer hunting for over 10 years and dropped over 100 white tail and mule deer, boar, a bear and countless amount of varmints and the most anything ever moved was the first boar I shot ran 50 yards...... And I also have a 270 and a 338 lapua in the closet at home but I just find the little 22-.250 ackley alot more fun. I fully agree with using them as long as the right person is using it. Some people say they shouldn't be used over 200 yard but they have alot way past that.

Friend shot a buck with 22-250 this yr. knocked the deer down stayed a live for 30 min
sat there looked at us.

He said I don't like hunting with this gun has no knock down. he likes his 30-06

I've used a .22-250 for deer hunting, works but not great. My minimum now is a .243 win

I thought he said it had no knock down???

This year, I shot my second deer with my Browning Model 1885 22-250. I took a neck shot because I did not have a shot at the lungs. When we boned it out, wow, it made some major damage. My deer dropped right where it was. It was only 55 yards away. I usually prairie dog hunt with it but thought it would be fun to find out if it could take a deer.

I usually hunt with my Grandpa's old 303, God rest his soul. I took this season's first deer, a 6 point buck with it. It blasted through two small trees and actually made two holes upon entry and one on the way out. My only concern with a 22-250 is if brush gets in the way. But as far as fire power and penetration. No problem. And I am a dead eye with it. Love that gun. Problem is if I were to regularly hunt deer with it, I would have to put a 2-7 scope on it, and then put my 6.5-20 Nikon back on before going out West to Montana to get my prairie dogs. (I just love this gun...and might hunt deer with it too.)