A11en

Let me start by saying, I'm not looking for folks opinion on whether or not the .22-250 is large enough for deer.

For those of you who have used it on deer I'm wondering:

1- What bullet did you use?
2- Where did you hit the deer?
3- How did it perform?
4- Would you use the same bullet again with confidence?

I've been thinking about getting some Federal 60gr Nosler Partions designed for deer and trying them this season.

Angus74

This is a subject thats been beat to death here, and will probably get heated..lol but since you wondered what people used.... Ive taken a few with my 22-250 and my wife has also.. I took one with a neck shot,, very close range 20-30 yards steady rest,, I dont really condone neck shots, but I took one, and it worked well, very destructive, but could have been a miss or wound easily if only 2 inches either direction. Ive taken others as well as my wife that were all broadside, less than 100 yards and lung shots behind the shoulder with only rib contact, no shoulder bones hit, all were passthrough shots with the deer traveling less than 50 yards each time, and two dropping in their tracks.. Now all these shots were with a steady rest at completely broadside deer and very careful placement, but they all worked out fine,, but Ive also heard LOTS of stories of people not having positive outcomes with the 22-250. In mine I shoot handloads, and for all the deer, I shot 63 grain Sierra Soft Point bullets, they seemed to mushrom well and not fragment on entry, Id never try it with hollow point or ballistic tip ammo,, I always wanted to try some of the Nosler Partitions to see how they do, but havent shot one with it for several years, and now the wife has stepped up to a .243... Soo that my experience,, I wouldnt recommend it for a lot of people, but someone who is patient and has some experience and will take the time to use goodbullet placement, and proper bullets,it will work.

Colorado Luckydog

When you start a thread on 22.250's and deer, you are gonna get peoples opinions, like it or not. I have never taken a deer with a 22.250, butI was there when my buddy dropped a small buck in Oklahoma. It was a heart shot and the buck dropped like a rock. I don't remember what kind of round he had, but I know it was factory.

There are deer and there are big deer. For smaller deer in the south a 22.250 is fine. I wouldn't use it, but I know quite a few guys that do, and they have been very successful.

Far the larger northern bruisers and mule deer, a .243 would be my minimum, but a .270 would be my choice.

nchawkeye

Allen...I used one back in the 70'sand killed about 30 deer with it, one a good 10 pointer, using the Remington 55gr bullets...About 5 years ago my brother acquired another 22-250 and he remembered me killing deer with the one I had years ago...He wanted it for his daughter (13 at the time)...

She is now 18, has killed 10 with this gun and the Federal Premium 60gr Nosler Partition...I have cleaned 4 of these deer, all were high shoulder hits (bullet through the shoulder blade)...Eight of 10 deer dropped at the shot, two went less than 50 yards...

salukipv1

No personal experience, but I've known guys that used .22-250 and .220 swifts on antelope and deer loaded up from 68-75grs and I think under 200yds you're set with a heavy premium bullet.

ILbowhunter88

I have a .223 for coyotes? and i've heard a 22-250 and .223 are very similiar. Is this true?

A11en

Thanks guys! After shooting some smaller game with the .22-250 and seeing the "destruction", I couldn't imagine it not being able to capable of taking a deer under 200 yards. At 200 yards, it delivers similar energy as the .30-30win based on Federals ballistic tables. This season I plan to use my .30-30 (close shots)and .300 WSM for long range, but I may try the .22-250 once.

ILbowhunter88 - the .223 and .22-250 shoot similar sized projectiles. However, the .22-250's velocity is considerably faster generating more energy.

zrexpilot

55gr. hollow points, behind the shoulder = big holes.

thndrchiken

My buddies father uses a 30-30 and 22-250 for PA deer. 60 gr partitions, he normally goes for neck shots but has taken broadside shots as well. He fills his tags every year. Have another friend who uses a 222 with 50 gr sp's andtakes similar shots. That being said with these two guysthey have been shooting these guns for years and if the shot is questionable they won't take it.

Chris_H

My buddy shot a REALLY small buck in the neck with the .22-250. The entrance hole was small, but the exit hole was TREMENDOUS! Almost completely covering the side of the neck. Needless to say the deer dropped where it stood. He reloads his own ammo, so I don't know what all the details are, but I do know that he was using 55 grain Nosler Accubonds.