Is a 22-250 enough gun for whitetail?

[Blair Nelson]

So much for the link, here is the substance of the post:

Plainsman:

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:05 pm Post subject: Barnes X bullets

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Horsager, this one is for you.

With all the talk about bullets for this, and bullets for that, and the never ending debate about is a 223 big enough for deer I was spurred to experimentation this deer season. I had four doe tags so this is what I had to do:

I had a new thumbhole stock and scope on an old 270 Winchester so that old girl had to bark this season. I also had a new Marlin Cowboy Action in 44 mag that needed to loose it’s virginity. Then I started thinking about X bullets. Heck, I think I have a box of 53 gr plain vanilla X bullets. I would like the newer Triple Shock, but I had to use these somewhere. So I loaded a box of 22-250, and a box of 223.

Last Saturday I shot a three deer, one with the 22-250 first. I jumped her at 200 yards, and she was screened by brush. I had about a fifteen yard gap from the brush until she was skylined and I would not shoot. I pulled about four feet in front of her at 250 yards and dropped the hammer. The bullet took out both shoulders, the vertebrae between, and exited the off shoulder. She dropped as quickly as if I had used my 300 mag. I thought ok, I’ll try the 223. That shot was at 200 yards running quartering away. At the shot the deer folded and rolled down hill, laying at the bottom with feet in the air. I walked to the bottom and around the brush pile only to see it regaining it’s feet. I then put one through the chest, and it headed out at warp factor three. It went about 20 yards and folded. The first shot entered the right eye and exited the forehead missing the brain. It had simply knocked him out. The second shot was like the 22-250 complete penetration, but missed the vertebrae.

I look at the 223 are marginal at best for deer, but with an X bullet in the right spot I was totally impressed with the performance. Both deer went down as quickly with the 223 and 22-250 as the 270. I normally shoot behind the shoulder, but this year Murphy was messing with my lead and I drilled all three through the shoulders. I don’t think there is five pounds of meat in the front quarters of all three deer combined.

I guess my curiosity changed my tactics this year, and none were shot at long range. Oh well, it was fun and that’s the objective.

[Cooter]

Guess I'll chime in. The .223 and .22-250 and such centerfire .22 calibers are legal in WI. I have a mini-14 a bud of mine is using right now. We both know its not ideal but it was either sit home or use it. As Blair mentioned, you gotta shoot the right bullet with them for deer and I made that very clear to him. Hopefully I'll get a report from him soon.

On a side note, I carried this gun with me on a recent antlerless hunt because I was and am curious how they would perform on deer. I had no opportunities but did choose an appropriate bullet and planned on only taking a close, broadside shot. Another tidbit, if these guns are indeed inadequate for deer hunting(I really don't know) then hunters need to encourage the DNR and such to change the regs. Later.

[almostthere!]

A 22 to the head (brain) is more effective than a 300 to the stomach. Use good bullets and have good bullet placement shots.