How far will a 22-250 take down a Deer with good shot placement?

T

TDuley

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Guy's I never use one for deer hunting,but I got this little Rem and some 55gr SP bullets and some 52gr HP and was thinking of use it this fall for hunting. Has anybody out there use one? Would it take a deer down say 200yds or so? Would you have to shoot the neck or just under the head or would broadside work that far off? I know this has been ask before and I did a search for it but come up with a Zero
 
I have harvested many deer with my 22-250, and is my go-to gun for most hunting adventures. I hunt 90% for food, so salvaging as much meat as possible is a huge factor for me. My friends have named me headshot for that reason. I try for headshots on most critters. Neck shots are acceptable also (for me). I try not to take any "vital" or shoulder shots, but will under certain circumstances. Im sure there are alot of nay-sayers on this subject, but they are most likely the kind of guys that shoot deer with 300 win mags, and the like. I prefer to butcher my meat with steel implements not lead/copper alloys......

I like to get close to my critters, but sometimes an oppertunity arises farther than you would normally. Ive harvested deer out to about 300 yards with my 22-250, and just recently I took a nice black bear at 446 yards with my 22-250, bang-flop. Im not bragging at all ;-) . But with the right gun, ammo, and skill level the 22-250 can be a very effective tool.
 
+1 on the very effective killing implement.

One of my favorite deer bullets is a 55gr. Sierra GameKing out of my 22-250 Rem. Killed a pair around 200-230 yds., was evidently holding a little high, both thru the spine, not with one shot but with two shots. Damage was impressive, popcan sized part of the spine removed above the shoulder. Needless to say, DRT.

That is a fairly tough bullet for 22 cal.

Clayman

PM me and I'll look up the load, I think it was H-380.
 
I use a 22/250 every year to fill my doe tags.

I've never resorted to the head or neck shots that so many deem necessary when using .22 centerfires for killing 100 lb. deer. If you want to save meat go for the headshot, but its not needed.

Stick a decent 55 grain or larger bullet a into the ribcage of a deer and you will be surprised at the penetration.
 
I've shot some big deer here in Idaho and though it's legal to use these smaller calibers bullet selection and shot placement are more critical.

Now my 8mm Rem mag, that's a deer rifle.
 
I've killed two muledeer bucks with a 22-250. One was shot straight on in the neck. He dropped on the spot. The other was shot broadside through the lungs. He stumbled a couple of feet and went down. Neither bullet exited.
 

Navy Gunner--I know you had to shoot that Black Bear in the head right?

clayman 90 -- We live in NW.Mo And we got a dog just like the one in your's toy fox terrier? I am gong to use varget powder, I have some rem's 55grs soft point or 52 hollow point's.

elks--I belive in MO. You can use any centerfire, down to a 17rem I think?

Thank's for all your input on this guy's!!!!
 
Of my eight deer, 6 were taken w/ a .223. My longest shot was 173 yards, drt. I limit myself to 200 yards, partly because I don't think the gun has enough power past that mark, and partly because of my gun, not exactly known for accuracy, a mini-14. All were lung shots except for 1(neck). The .22-250 is only going to be better. I'd give it another 50 yards more than the .223. I'll add, too, that all my deer weighed 118-130lbs dress weight, just to help you understand what your 250 should be capable of in your area. I say go for it and Good Luck!
 
The availability of premium bullets have definately made the .224's a viable option for deer. My farthest w'tail with a 22-250 is about 250yds. This season I am running 62gr TSX's at 3300 in my 223AI, should put a hurting on them.
 
Back in the 1960's, I lived in Northern Maine. I knew a few locals that liked the 22 mag. for deer hunting. They took their shot only at the brain and they drop. I've used my 223 and they drop when shot. My 22-250 is heavier and longer than I want for a deer rifle that I carry long distances.
 
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Bud I may be wrong but i believe in the R&R book for mo it classifies the centerfires for deer .22 or bigger and .40 and bigger for black powder.. Anything smaller wouldnt make enough of a wound channel i dont think.

I shoot either an old russian sks(7.62x45)in the woods or a NEF .270 for deer if i'm huntin a field. You probably have more opportunity for longer shots up there though.

People can judge all they want but it's you that has to live with what you do. Just make clean shots and i'd say it'd be okay.
Good luck.
 
I"ve seen smaller bucks, forks and 3x3's, muleys and whitetails fold out to 400 yards when using the 55g NBT and the 22-250. IT does a wonderful job if the bullets placed in the right position...

When shot in the shoulder, they will usually drop on the spot, but will require a finishing shot.

Behind the shoulder and they will run about 50 yards and fall over dead.

Either way, you'll have a dead deer...
 
Are you a reloader? The 53 grain Barnes TSX is a great bullet (for 1:14 twist) to use and the 60 gr. Nosler Partition (for 1:12 or better twist) is also great. If not there are a few commercial deer loads with a deer bullet in it. Are the two bullets you describe deer bullets?

Are you around Maryville?
 


Yes I am a reloader, and the two bullets that I was talking about was a softnose,and a hollow ponit. We live east of Maryville over by Bethany.



Kyote Killer - Thats good to know about the two shot thing, I will wait and take agood shot or not at all.
 
I would have to say a .22-250 with good shot placement will take a deer down as far as you can place a "good" shot. Although, the further out you get the more critical your shot placement becomes. Know your rifle well and squeeze the 'C' shaped object with confidence. You'll be amazed at what the 22-250 can accomplish.
 
I too agree with the proper shot placement. However, once you start getting out to 300 yds the Foot pounds of energy play a major factor in the damage that small bullet does. At 300 yds the 55 gr has only 603 ft lbs. Not very much???? To hit one in the shoulder, I dont believe would even begin to penetrate. Not on a large whitetail. I have shot 2 with mine. Both in the head and neck region. Fell right where they stood!!! No finishing shot required. Both were at 286 and 313 yds, with a bench rest and years of gound hog, crow, and coyote shooting experience. If you can shoot dogs, crows and woodchucks out to 400 yds then you should be able to hit a deer in the vitals or head and neck. I prefer head or neck. If you miss, no harm done. They'll be back for another day. If you are off at all left or right on a vitals shot, what happens???? Front leg or ponch and lost forever to the dogs and crows! That's not ethical to me. With a larger caliber, recovery chances are fair to moderate. The 22-250 is just too small with a bad shot.

If you want to stay with the smaller bullets, try a 6mm, 243, or 25-06. Great guns, fast, hard hitting, and much larger lead for the pencil! I have shot 3 deer with my Rem 6mm in the 80 and 100gr. Does a great job! Mine is extremely accurate. My cousin uses a 243 with an 80gr sometimes. Very good as well. Again though, both are very effective with proper shot placement.

Good luck!
 


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