.22-250 whitetail deer and blackbear?

[YogiBear2014]

In the area I hunt .22 cal centerfires are legal to hunt whitetail and even black bear. I know there are conflicting opinions on this, some swear by them and some swear against their use on medium game and those same people swear that varmint bullets would disintegrate on impact and would never work. I used to be in the swear against their use crowd.......until I seen what actually happens when people shoot medium game with these small bores. I have seen personally 2 bucks drop from a .223 with 1 shot each and neither took a step, 1 was shot through the neck, the other behind the shoulder which the bullet actually broke the ribs and exited the deer on the other side, also seen 1 buck take 1 shot from a .22-250 dropped in its tracks, never took a step, this bullet blew a hole the size of a .50 cent piece through the shoulder and ribs and exploded the vitals with bullet fragments almost passing through the opposite shoulder. All 3 bucks were in the 150-200lb range and at around 50 yds. Here's the kicker, all 3 were shot with factory hornady vmax rounds, the .223 40gr vmax and the .22-250 50gr superformance, all 3 bucks dropped faster than any other deer I've ever seen shot. Who else hunts deer with these and what are your thoughts?

 

[JackSprat]

The worst thing about the 22-250 is they are usually slow twist .It's hard to get a heavier .224 that will stabilize..Three ,or four deer is not a real big sample.In perfect conditions,and with perfect placement the varmint bullets will get the job done,but so would most other bullets..If I was gonna load for a 22-250 for deer,and black bear,I would probably choose the Sierra SMP 63 gr. They are pretty stubby,and I would say they would be fine in a 1-12,or maybe even in a 1-14..I have a 223 that loves them..

 

[Dog Soldier]

What ever is legal you may use. It is like hunting knives. Many hunters try to prove the smaller the skinning knife the better hunter you are. But then they are likely to bury a 2 wheel drive truck proving you don't need a 4X4. The .22 calibers can take game animals. But we also know the .22-250 often only wounds Prairie Dogs and Jackrabbits. You need a bullet that can slam through rib bones without expanding and wounding.

 

[BigBore44]

I'm sorry but a 22-250 wounds prairie dogs and jackrabbits for only one reason, shot placement. With poor shot placement, a 300WM will only wound them also. There's absolutely no reason a 22-250 with a well constructed bullet (not ballistic tip), placed in the ear, neck, or even behind the shoulder (though I would prefer a CNS shot) will not kill a black bear with haste. But.... All together now.... Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Like I always say. If you gotta ask the answer is probably no.

 

[bikerdoc]

Mod note

Poll deleted and warning issued. WE DONT DO POLITICS HERE!

 

[Grumulkin]

The deer I took at the longest range was done with a Speer 70 grain Semi Spitzer out of a 1:12 twist barrel at 360 yards and it dropped where it stood. I've never tried a 22-250 for bear and having many others to choose from probably wouldn't.

 

[FL-NC]

I've had good success on deer and hogs with Hornady 223 BTHP, 75 grain.

 

[bikerdoc]

Since Va does not allow .223 for hunting deer or hog. It is not open for debate here.

 

[BigBore45]

While I do not advocate using .22 cal guns on medium sized game. I have taken or watch personally 4 deer fall to a .223. I did see one hit with a higher lung/liver area shot get up and disappear to be found a mile away 2 hrs later. I have no doubt a .308 win would have solved that problem. It can be done and just as proficiently as a larger caliber weapon but shot placement is much more critical with the addition to limited range and bullet construction.

 

[stoky]

Okay for whitetail, with good shot placement and the requisite practice to achieve it.
I'd want to make bigger holes in ursus.

 

[Leanwolf]

I've only killed two Black bears, one with my .280 Remington, 150 grains Nosler Partition and another with my S&W .41 Mag., 220 grains SWC. I don't think I'd want to go after Black bear with a .22-250. Just my opinion.

L.W.