Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Alright I have decided that I am going to out fit my boys for deer hunting.. One is 2 1/2 and one is scheduled for delivery on July 4th.. But it is never to soon to begin preparing :D...The plan is to get a 22 Cal center fire barrell for my Encore. Don't give me the it is too small thing.. I have seen plenty of deer taken with 22-250, 223, 222 and so on andI already have a Ruger 22-250 (To nice, and too big to let a yougun tote), 2 243s, a 6mm and a 7mm08. So they have plenty of other choices to grow into.. But this will be the starter gun for them when they get to be about 6...

So let's hear it.. What is the best 22 cal for deer.. And why??

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

I'd take a look at ammo avaliable for deer, unless you reload...

I killed a few dozen with a 22-250 back in the late 60s and early 70s, using the Remington PSP 55 grain bullets, it killed deer, but the bullets would break up inside the deer...I got rid of it and moved up to a .243...

About 5 years ago, my youngest brother picked up a 700 in 22-250 in trade, he had remembered me using one and asked about bullets...I purchased a couple of boxes of Federal Premium 60gr Nosler Partitions and his daughter has used on 6-8 deer...They do quite a bit better, she gets exit holes and hasn't lost one yet...

That's why I'd do some research and see if you could find a couple of different options avaliable to you...I doubt it you will see much difference between .22s in damage done using the same deer bullets avaliable today....

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Well...I'm having a slow afternoon here at the office, here is what I found...

Federal offers the 60gr NP in .223 and 22-250, not for the 220 Swift...
.223MV....3160 FP @ 100...998
.22-250MV...3500 FP @ 100 1234

Winchester offers their 64gr PowerPoint for .223 and 22-250
.223MV...3020 FP @ 100....1003
.22-250MV...3500 FP @ 100...1253

I didn't find a deer bullet on Remington's website....Hornady did have a 60grHP for the 220 Swift, but don't think it's a deer bullet...

Hornady does have a 60gr bullet for the 22-250, brother has picked up a box and I called and was told that it was for deer...

22-250MV....3600 FP @ 100...1360


So, I'd go with the 22-250 as you have 3 loadings for deer...The 60gr Nosler Partition that I have seen work, the 60gr Hornady that I was told will work and the 64gr PowerPoint....

Good Luck...

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Is that even legal in any state?

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Not legal in VA. 243 is the samllest Cal allowed for deer hunting.

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Yep, legal as can be in NC, as is a .22 rimfire...Our regs, give no limitations, we believe in less Government...

Lethal as h&ll as well...:D

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

There are 43 states that allow deer hunting with a rifle. Of those 43 states, 38 allow the use of .22 centerfire cartridges.

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Yes it is legal here in MS.. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't legal.;)

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

I have shot all my deer with a 223, hornaday sells a 75 gr boattail hollow point. I use either those or a55 grain vmax bullet.

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Why not a .243?

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

My dad has a 220 Swift and hes killed plenty of deer with it. Its also a good varmit too.

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

.22-250 my son is 6 and he uses this caliber it is deadly. Teach them patience and make them wait for the right shot and you will have no problems. I forgot to mention have them practice with the gun so shoting it is second nature. The one my son uses is cut down to fit him and the stock is filled with sand I also put a bipod on it. This helps cut down what recoil there is. The bipod also comes in handy sometimes.

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Unless the rifles are too big for them I would say you already have the perfect deer starter rifles in .243. If you have your heart set on a .22 caliber I would get the heaviest deer hunting bullet I could find/shoot well and limit them to only broadside shots. Good luck and good job getting those young men involved in hunting

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

Part of me wants to say .22-250 or .220 swift for more energy.....no matter which .223 I used I'd use a heavy bullet, something that hopefully wouldn't explode on impact, like a 68gr+ Though the 2 I mentioned with more energy more velocity that bullet will want to explode on impact, I wonder if a .223 Rem with a heavy bullet would have more penetration than those two. I knew a guy that used .22-250 on whitetails, with 68gr I believe, said it was safe out to a 100yds or so. I'm sure it can be done, just wouldn't be my first choice or at all I don't think. I'm considering a .243 as "light" setup mainly for antelope, though maybe a muley.

RE: Best 22 Caliber for Deer... and why?
 

I have 2 243's. One is a Weatherby that I got when I was about 15, the other is a Model 7 I got from my Dad.. Both are great guns and the boys will move up to them eventually.. ButI want to start them off slow on a low low recoil gun and let them work up to the 243..