rifle questions??

[mlp1985aggie]

Hey guys, I'm the type of guy who is more about accuracy and speed than power. I purchased my .22-250 about 2 years ago and I love it, when i take her to the range i'm piggy backing my shots from a hundred out. I shot everything from a 250lb. hog, to a coyote and other varmints. Have not been able to take her deer hunting yet due to school and the lack of money in the wallet. My brother and I are on the same page about not using a huge caliber and just blow things to pieces. I keep getting flack of how weak my gun is and I cant drop anything with it of any size. I have dropped my share of hogs and coyotes but thats about it, i havent been able to field test her as much as i would want to. I believe in my accuracy and precision but all the negative rep i keep hearing from my frinds and such put this doubt in my head if she is big enough to take down a whitetail, mule, axis, fallow's exc. But my friend and his dad deer hunt every year and his dad was telling me about how he has dropped deer with a .22 hornet and how its all about the shot placement rather then the caliber. But i am finally taking a hog hunting trip with my brother during the christmas break Finally!!! So i get to give her some more field work, and its been a while since i live like 1200 miles from my family and friends. BUt just wanted to get ya'lls personal opinions about what rifle yall use and what is To Small, if there is such a thing? Thanks guys

[Jared D]

While it will do the job, it may not be the best thing to do it. It is a light bullet moving really fast. Unfortunately, a marginal hit will be something that causes a critter to run off or be maimed. Thats why most want bigger rounds. However, many go way overboard and hit them with bazookas.

If you do your part and get the bullet into the sweet spot, the bullet will do its job.

[Younger]

I think that a 100 gr bullet is a minimum for deer sized game. The 243 (or 6mm Rem) does a fine job but I would not use anything smaller.

[quackkilla76]

i shoot a remington model 7 in 7mm-08. and i have yet to track a deer with it made shots at over 200 yards and with a 139 grain ballistic tip it puts them in there place. i have shot deer with a bunch of guns and i too feel that you dont need a big gun to put one down. the 7mm-08 is alot of gun without the punch on the shoulder

[Bird Dog]

Wouldn't be my first choice for a deer rifle but you might be able to get away with it. Maybe a .243 to start with?

[VCinRI]

mlp1985aggie,
while the accuracy of the .22 centerfires is superb. I would not recommend using them for Whitetail. I don't believe these little bullets have the mass to drive deep enough for consistent kills on animals of this size. It may be illegal in some states for deer so you may want to check first.

I would agree a .243 or a 100 gr. head for a minimum especially when you get out to the 200 yd ranges.

When we hunt hogs on So Texas we usually wait for a head shot. We feel this is the only way to consistently anchor them before they get it the brush. We have had some get away with good shoulder hits from the big .30 cal's. as well. I think the accuracy of your .22 cal will help you here.

Just my opinion.

Good Luck,
VC

[mlp1985aggie]

thanks appreciate the info!! i didnt know if i posted this thread in the right forum so i redid one in a hunting section. yea the only thing i do when i hog hunt is head shots, gotta get all the meat i can take without possibly messin some up. yea also if im hunting in some thick brush i usually use my gramps 30/30 open sight, but only used that for hogs. cuz one day i want to go out and shoot some bigger game such as bear, elk, moose, and such but that probably wont be till down the road though. thought about uppin my caliber to either a .270 and or a 7mm ultra, which saw it was one of the best speed and energy combos out there.

[Animal 1]

The 30/30 has killed more deer than any other round.My other rifle(hunting rifle0is a 7mm Rem mag.I've gotten a couple deer with it,just be careful w/shot placement,as a buddy spread one out with it,but it'll do double-duty for larger game.
For now,I'd stick with your grandpas 30/30.Good luck on your trip.

[VCinRI]

mlp1985aggie,

If your thinking about moving up do not overlook the old faithful 30-06. It has proven it self for many years and ammo is available everywhere. (Walmart $12.00 or 14.00 a box.)

Find a good shooting 180 gr.load for your rifle and you have a very versatile weapon.

VC

[cravertosu]

VC brings up a good point about ammo prices. 30-06 is a great and versatile round that's cheap as well. You can buy a small enough round to shoot whitetail without overkill and you have a round large enough to drop elk and bear. I've shot whitetail, bear, and elk with a 30-06. Good round.

My favorite over all round is the 7mm Mag with the .300 win mag and .257 Weatherby very close seconds! As you may be able to figure out, I like a lot of energy and like to shoot LONG distances!