New Handi barrel, 22-250 for deer question.

[thejanitor]

I just got my new to me 22-250 Handi barrel mounted to my old 30-06 SB2 frame and took it to try to shoot groups today. Wow was I impressed with my first test batch of 55 gr bullets (20 shots in total, 5 were to get on the target) I found the third group of three was under an inch (at 100 yds) and of the 5 groups of three I shot that one was best so I am happy to have found a good load with my first batch of powder I tried.
I had bought a 6.5x-20x scope used here at GBO and put it on there and wow I think the two were made for each other.
I talked to a guy who claims to have killed many deer with his even before MN passed it as a legal cartridge. I am looking for info from people who have used it to shoot deer, what bullet was used? How did it perform?
I bought the barrel for my antelope trip I should be drawn for in the next couple years, but if it makes an ok deer rifle with the right type bullet I would like to know how it worked for you.
EVEN if it turned out bad, just pm me and let me know if you don't want to post for the whole www to see. But I would like to have some info before I think it is a good deer rifle just because it is legal.
Thanks,    thejanitor

[ratdog]

worked good for me head shot only.

[petemi]

worked good for me head shot only.

Seems to me I've heard, somewhere in the distant past, that some folks take deer at night with a .22LR....head shots only.  Gee....should I use my 10/22 this fall???

Pete

[cwlongshot]

Personally I am NOT a fan of ANY 22 cal bullet for deer....
CW

[VT30-30]

I lived in Montana for 5 years, worked in a gun store and it was surprizing how many people used 22-250 for
deer. Probably better rounds to take down a deer, but the first year we lived in MT. my wife had just doe tags
for antelope and deer. She got both a ant. doe and a big whitetail shooting a 22-250. I had loaded 55 gr. Hornady
SP and it did the job.
Steve

[petemi]

I'm sorry, but I agree with CW.  When you've got Handis running up to .500S&W, why use any .22?  What's the point?  My .38-55 will hunt this year and will kill efficiently to 300 plus yards.

Pete

[Deerhunter#1]

You are going to get lots of responces here that are negative with regards to this caliber for deer. Mythought were that if as you say you use the correct bullet and put it where it needs to be it will kill just as well as any bigger gun. Dead is Dead. That being said I never shot a deer with mine when I had it. The bullets I was working loads for were the 64 grain winchester power point which is a deer bullet. Never could get it to stabilize in the handi slow twist. I wound up using the 60 grain hornady sp which is short for its weight and got good results. I even contacted hornady and they said it will be fine for deer. good luck. .And please dont take a head shot

[quickdtoo]

This topic has been discussed many times before in more appropriate forums, so I'm moving it. 

Tim


http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,234869.msg1099322205.html#msg1099322205

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,210651.msg1099121446.html#msg1099121446

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,209874.msg1099114422.html#msg1099114422

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,213225.msg1099142900.html#msg1099142900

[Sourdough]

I for one am not a fan of using a .22 cal gun, in any cartridge, for Deer.  If that shot is not perfect, you can, and in most cases lose that Deer.  When I was living in Tennessee I seen a lot of Deer lost to larger bullets.   At that time they did not allow anything smaller than .25 caliber.  I still agree with that.

The move by many states is not for the good of the Deer.  A shooter shoots a Deer and does not drop it on the spot.  Deer runs off and is not found.  Shooter goes and shoots a second Deer.  This time he is more careful and makes a good shot.  State's outlook, two Deer were shot, Two less Deer in the state herd.  The State does not care what you take home, their objective is to lower the number of Deer in the State.  Two less Deer to get hit on the highway. 

[thejanitor]

  State's outlook, two Deer were shot, Two less Deer in the state herd.  The State does not care what you take home, their objective is to lower the number of Deer in the State.  Two less Deer to get hit on the highway.

This was kind of what I wondered about when MN lowered the min. cal. to .223 and the min bow poundage to 30 lbs......
I think the gun would be capable in a perfect situation, but I do have other guns I can use for deer, I just thought I would ask the masses for true experiences. I suppose anyone with a poor experience isn't going to just put it out there for the world to jump all over them either.  Thanks for the replies everyone, I think it can be a coyote gun until I get drawn for antelope.
thejanitor

[cwlongshot]

  State's outlook, two Deer were shot, Two less Deer in the state herd.  The State does not care what you take home, their objective is to lower the number of Deer in the State.  Two less Deer to get hit on the highway.

This was kind of what I wondered about when MN lowered the min. cal. to .223 and the min bow poundage to 30 lbs......
I think the gun would be capable in a perfect situation, but I do have other guns I can use for deer, I just thought I would ask the masses for true experiences. I suppose anyone with a poor experience isn't going to just put it out there for the world to jump all over them either.  Thanks for the replies everyone, I think it can be a coyote gun until I get drawn for antelope.
thejanitor

Now your talkin!! 
 
CW

[Doublebass73]

My thought on this subject is that if a 22-250 was the only rifle I owned I would definitely use it for deer since it's legal in my state. If I didn't own a rifle and I was shopping for a deer rifle a 22-250 would be at the bottom of the list for calibers that I'd choose. I'd prefer a caliber that started with a 4. I'll be using a 45-70 this year.

[cjrjck]

The 22 centerfires, especially the 223 are very popular in Texas. I have not used one (yet) since I mostly bowhunt there, but several hunting buddies have shot more deer with the 223 than I normally see in a typical season (and I see a lot in Texas) with really good results. They prefer heavier bullets, but with the 22-250 and its slow twist, I would suggest a 50 or a 53 grain Barnes TSX.

[yooper77]

The last two years my daughter used a T/C Encore in 223 Remington, and I handloaded a Nosler 60 grain Partition with H-4895 powder.
 
I kept her shots under 100 yards during Michigan's September 2 day youth hunt:
 
In 2010 year it was a 75 yard double lung shot and that little bullet broke a rib on exiting. Blood trail was awesome and the deer piled up a 125 yard distance.
 
In 2011 year it was a 60 yard shot and she hit it high in the spine. At the shot the deer dropped and once again that little bullet exited.
 
The 22-250 Remington is fully capable of taking deer at moderate ranges with the proper (Nosler 60 grain Partition) bullet.

yooper77

[T.R.]

Wichester's 64 grain bullet is an excellent deer bullet.  Always has produced 100% penetration for us.
 

 
TR

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

One thing that must be considered is the style of hunting and the amount of pressure on the deer you will be hunting...In some states like Tx. deer are shot on private land over bait...so they are pretty calm..a good shot can be made...I am certain there are other states with similar rules..under those conditions these calibers work.., but consider a  situation like we find in say Penna...here deer are pressured by dozens of hunters...often when you see them they are moving off from someone else..they are pumped, and harder to put down quickly....even though well hit if they run any distance, someone else will put a tag on them.. In addition, I have often wondered with the .22 caliber rifles, how many guys put a .22 slug though the lungs and marked it off to a miss, when it was a deadly hit, but the animal didn't react or loose much blood...I have experienced this with a 6mm Re. and 100 grain Core Lokes...an antelope doe drinking at a pond took one though both lungs...she ran for 200 yards before piling up ......the first 75 yards or so there was little or no blood...(but this ground was very difficult to pick up pindrops of blood)Saw the same thing happen with a small doe and a .243 in W. Va. Different amimals will react differently to a similar shot...

[gr8ful]

The last two years my daughter used a T/C Encore in 223 Remington, and I handloaded a Nosler 60 grain Partition with H-4895 powder.
 
I kept her shots under 100 yards during Michigan's September 2 day youth hunt:
 
In 2010 year it was a 75 yard double lung shot and that little bullet broke a rib on exiting. Blood trail was awesome and the deer piled up a 125 yard distance.
 
In 2011 year it was a 60 yard shot and she hit it high in the spine. At the shot the deer dropped and once again that little bullet exited.
 
The 22-250 Remington is fully capable of taking deer at moderate ranges with the proper (Nosler 60 grain Partition) bullet.

yooper77

60 gr Partition works well for me also.  even shoots well in 1:14 ruger no. 1   

[rickt300]

If you hunt from a blind watching trails or a feeder the 22-250 is a great deer rifle, a very quick killer. Solid chest hits will bring deer down quickly.  I avoid hitting the shoulders and use the 60 gr. Hornady's either the SP or the HP and usually the bullet exits unless it hits the far shoulder. Internal damage is awesome.

[Ron 1]

a few years back i got a good size spike at 400 yrds with a savage 22-250
the bullet did not come out.the bullet was right behind the shoulder there was no blood in the snow but the trail to the dead deer was only about 40 yrd. the lungs were pudding. that was with a hornady cxp2 soft point
   rw

[RevJim]

 I used the 55gr Trophy Bonded bullet out of a 220 Swift, but at 22-250 velocities. I had no problems killing a muley buck, an axis doe an two Blackbuck antelope. A friend uses the Hornady 60sp in his 220 swift (again, same thing)
 I also used a 50gr Barnes XLC bullet in a little .221 Fireball carbine to shoot an 80# pig; made a 50 cal hole al the way through, dropped him right there.
 I killed a 275# hog with a 75gr Swift Scirroco out of a 22/6mm wildcat. Your Handi may not have a fast enough twist for anything over 60gr, but thats OK. The Barnes 5o or 53 gr TSX will work just fine. Many folks like that Winchester 64gr PP bullet too.
  Now, would I use one on a big money deer hunt? Probably not, but for run of the mill hunts, sure I would, and do. My current 22-250 is the Ackley Improved version but with a very fast 8" twist. I use the Hornady 68gr Match HP bullet and it shoots completely through coyotes and piles them up right there. The 22-250 should be used as a sniping round, avoiding running shots,or bad angles. It is not your "all-around" type of deer cartridge, but then, neither is the 243 or 6mm!

[Rock Home Isle]

I'll admitt to taking a deer or two with both the .22-250 and the .223 Remington. They were small Does, and I had a very solid rest and head shot them. RevJim is right...its more a sniping round, that works best under ideal conditions; head & neck shots
 
...this calibre is just not designed for this type hunting and its not what I would call ethical...I would advise that you go with a calibre more in tune with taking deer sized game, too much risk of failure in using any of the .22's for animals this size.

[rickt300]

I treat my 6MM the same way I do the 22-250, good solid chest hits and neck shots just in front of the shoulder are all I use this class of rifle for on deer. I have killed several feral hogs with my 22-250 using pulled 55 gr. military FMJ's pushed to 3500 fps, shooting them in the head and neck. I am tempted to see how well this bullet would do on a high shoulder hit aimed at the spine but feel it may be asking a bit too much and there is some good eatin meat there.

[Rock Home Isle]

..... I am tempted to see how well this bullet would do on a high shoulder hit aimed at the spine but feel it may be asking a bit too much and there is some good eatin meat there.

If you ever attempt this..I would be interested to hear your results. Maybe consider a heavier bullet and go with a Nosler, Swift A-Frame or a Barnes.
 
But I would be interested in the results. 

[LunaticFringeInc]

On smaller unpressured deer, I have no hesitation to thread a well placed premium 22 cal bullet into a deer the size of the ones here in Texas.  I have a Surplus Mauser that was seriously reworked and customized since it had been bubbaed up and had no collectors value in the least, that was chambered for the 224 TTH.  The 80 grain bullets at 3500 fps have made very short work of a number of White Tails and Mule Deer while out trying to punch a Coyotes ticket.  I have several other guns chambered for more significant rounds that I would much rather use if I went out specifically to hunt deer though...

[painted horse]

My thought on this subject is that if a 22-250 was the only rifle I owned I would definitely use it for deer since it's legal in my state. If I didn't own a rifle and I was shopping for a deer rifle a 22-250 would be at the bottom of the list for calibers that I'd choose. I'd prefer a caliber that started with a 4. I'll be using a 45-70 this year.

.....yeah, well, that aughta work.......little light though, I'm thinking maybe .458 Lott. can't be to careful........    

[r29l20]

I witnessed 3 deer killed with a .223 a few years back, and YES it is enough gun. So the 22-250 will be as well. You can't argue with reality.

[rockbilly]

Several years ago I managed a large deer lease here in West Texas.  During that period I seem more deer lost that you can imagine by people shooting the .22 class (225, 222, 223, 22-250) rifle. I finally put a stop to hunting with the .22s and set the limit at a .243.  Sure game was still lost but nowhere as many as there was with the .22s.
 
As a kid my family was meat hunters to survive, I remember back in the mid-forties when my Dad killed deer with a spot light and old Winchester single shot rifle.  He would shoot them between the eyes, I know he lost a few, but most were meat on the table.  These deer were usually standing still looking into the spotlight and no more than 25-40 yards away. Funny, but after the war when meat again became readily available he never killed another deer.
 
I must admit that in the hands of a thoroughly accomplished hunter the .22s can be effective, but the truth of the matter is most of us are not that good a shot especially when the adrenalin starts flowing. Keep the .22 for fun and for varmints and select a larger bore for large game.

[Spanky]

It's funny how guys like to blame the gun for losing deer.
 
 
 
Spanky

[r29l20]

It's funny how guys like to blame the gun for losing deer.
 
 
 
Spanky

+1

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Sometimes the bullets do fail..if you have hunted enough you may have experienced this...A good friend, who by the way has shot hundreds of whitetails, told me of trying a .22-250 on little W. Va. whitetails...He shot several and had good success..then he popped a forked horn in the shoulder with a 55 grain factory..the buck bounded away, before he could work the bolt...but he could see the deer had a broken shoulder...it was lost...once I had a 225 grain Speer hollow point from a .44 break up on an antelope's shoulder..I got in another shot before  the buck got away...and broke his neck...when he was skinned, there was a huge hole though the shoulder blade, but no damage to the internal organs from that bullet...so bullets do fail..