I’d feel a lot more confident using a 22-250,with heavier projectiles.!
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No exit with 243, 95gr SST
- Thread starter 44magpastor
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I’d feel a lot more confident using a 22-250,with heavier projectiles.!
Tight Lines
Senior Member
We've killed a pile of deer with these over the past several years...
Never had one go more than 30-50 yards, never lost one, some dropped right where they were shot...
Technically not legal in GA since they are not expanding, but they are lethal.
Jester896
Senior Clown
many factory 22-250s won't shoot much heavier than a 55gr bullet accurately depending on the twist
rosewood
Senior Member
Yep. That is the problem I have with it. Always wanted to hunt with my 22-250, but it is like 1:12 and ain't worth a dang with heavies.
Rosewood
furtaker
Senior Member
I think the law regarding non-expanding bullets was written to keep people from using mil-surp FMJ ammo back in the day. I guess technically hard cast bullets are non-expanding but I'm sure people use those for deer, especially in handguns.
Jester896
Senior Clown
I was getting about 1" groups at 100 with the 60gr Noslers I tried. Didn't change seating depth was just looking for the best group and SD when I quit and tried the 50gr FB Barnes TSXs to shoot hogs with...at night at around 200...that was fun. I need to get back on it with the 62gr GameKings I got
Jester896
Senior Clown
isn't it expanding bullets, buck shot or slugs...if a cast slug or Buck was legal why wouldn't a cast bullet be?
furtaker
Senior Member
Beats me, I'm just saying what the law says. I couldn't care less if somebody uses them. I doubt a deer would tote a hard cast 44 or 45 caliber bullet very far.
Jester896
Senior Clown
i doubt it either
I was just saying the law says expanding bullets, buck shot or slugs. I don't see a real difference in Buck, slugs, hard cast or musket balls.
I was just saying the law says expanding bullets, buck shot or slugs. I don't see a real difference in Buck, slugs, hard cast or musket balls.
rosewood
Senior Member
Cast boolits are considered expanding by DNR standards.
I want to say the newer Tikka + Remington (22-250) rifles have a 1:9 or 1:8 twist. I looked at a 700,with the 5R rifling last year & am pretty sure it was 1:8. I think Federal loads a 60 gr Nosler Partition & I would bet that’ll work in the older rifles with slower twist rates.?
rosewood
Senior Member
Dang, you got me thinking now. I might have to try out the 65 SGKs in the 22-250 for funsies. I do have a high bar in the 22-250, it shoots 1/2 MOA with 52 gr BTHP handloads and if it shoots 1", I will be dissappointed. 
I haven't loaded for the 22-250 since sierra came out with the 65 SGK.
Rosewood
I haven't loaded for the 22-250 since sierra came out with the 65 SGK.Rosewood
Yup - cast boolits, buckshot, slugs, musket balls and mini balls all deform/expand upon impact.
Liberty
Senior Member
So would I, but most factory 22-250’s traditionally come with very slow twist rates such as 1 in 12. That’s not optimal for stability using long for caliber bullets.
Liberty
Senior Member
I was thinking about a Barnes flat base, but mine is 1 in 14. It’s hard for me to get above 55. The rifle bug holes with a Sierra 53. I usually just hunt with 30-06 or a 308 and a 150 to kill them easy.Dang, you got me thinking now. I might have to try out the 65 SGKs in the 22-250 for funsies. I do have a high bar in the 22-250, it shoots 1/2 MOA with 52 gr BTHP handloads and if it shoots 1", I will be dissappointed.
Rosewood
Been deer hunting for close to 50 years. Over that time, have hunted with rifles chambered in everything from .223 to .300 Win. Although I have 2 safes full of guns, I generally just use my Tikka in .243 or my Sako 85 in .270 Win.
My son also hunts with a Rem Model 7 in .243, so combined we have a lot of history with the cartridge. The issue with the .243 and all smaller calibers is the lack of penetration. SSTs and cup and core bullets generally come apart and shed a good bit of their bullet weight. Weight retention is critical to penetration and overall bullet performance.
Also, a lot of .243s have a 10 twist barrel. That is borderline for a 100 grain bullet. I have found that 85-90 grain bullets can be driven faster and are more accurate. Was a fan of partitions, but switched to mono copper 8-9 years ago.
Of course, always comes down to shot placement. Inside of 250 yards, with a well placed shot, the .243 will put them down as well as just about any caliber. Attached is a picture of a buck I shot a couple weeks ago. 150 yd shot, broke both shoulders and exited. Never lost a deer with the .243, watched most drop.
My son also hunts with a Rem Model 7 in .243, so combined we have a lot of history with the cartridge. The issue with the .243 and all smaller calibers is the lack of penetration. SSTs and cup and core bullets generally come apart and shed a good bit of their bullet weight. Weight retention is critical to penetration and overall bullet performance.
Also, a lot of .243s have a 10 twist barrel. That is borderline for a 100 grain bullet. I have found that 85-90 grain bullets can be driven faster and are more accurate. Was a fan of partitions, but switched to mono copper 8-9 years ago.
Of course, always comes down to shot placement. Inside of 250 yards, with a well placed shot, the .243 will put them down as well as just about any caliber. Attached is a picture of a buck I shot a couple weeks ago. 150 yd shot, broke both shoulders and exited. Never lost a deer with the .243, watched most drop.
I killed a buck this morning with a 123 gr SST out of my 7.62x39 AR. Complete pass-through, including one scapula and a rib. Quartering boiler room shot at about 50 yards. It took two hunched-up hops and fell over dead about maybe 20 feet from where it was standing when I shot it. Inside of the chest cavity was decimated. I think they are a great hunting round when they have a little weight and aren't moving at really high velocities.
We love pics !
