22-250 encore

[dogslayer]

Hi I was just wondering how many of you shoot the 22-250 and what kind of velocities you are getting with 50gr or 55gr bullets and would you recommend it for deer hunting. I live in MN where they are now legal. I love the small bores and have a chance to buy one in the encore or the competitor. They have a 1:12 twist so I'm not sure how heavy I could go with bullets. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have been shooting contenders for years and have shot many deer. Smallest I have used was a 257 Raptor which has worked great. I would like to move on to the 22-250. It's the "bug" I guess. Thanks

[Grumulkin]

I haven't checked velocities in my Encore but they're fast enough at least in my rifle.


The heaviest bullet I've used in my Encore is the Speer 70 gr. Semi Spitzer.  They stabilize well for me.  I've used these bullets to take 2 deer; both one shot kills.  The one I took with my 22-250 was at 360 yards and the one with my 222 was from about 80 yards.

[Ladobe]

In general, a .224 12 twist barrel is the choice for 55/60gr bullets... heavier bullet usually want a slower twist.
 
I've been a 22 Varminter/22-250  fan since I my first one inb the 60's.   I never really considered it a deer cartridge in the Roclkies where I lived, but it can exert so much hydrostatic shock with the right hand loads and light bullets it would be quite capable.   
 
Note on Encore 22-250 factory barrels:    When the Encore first came out I ended up buying 3 different 15" 22-250 barrels to get one that would shoot well.   First two were total crap IMO - maybe Okm for other folks, but I couldn't get any hand load to shoot well enough in them for my uses.   Last one was acceptable with the right loads worked up for it.   A custom barrel that followed put that last factory barrel to shame though.   My use for them was long range predators and varmints though, not deer.   I almost always shot 55gr bullets in all of my 22V's/22-250's over the years, but also some 50's, 46's and a few 33's.