10-30-2013, 07:35 PM
My daughter has used a .22-250 to shoot two deer over the past two seasons, one with a 60gr Nosler Partition and the other with a 55 grain Sierra Gameking, both at about 75 yards and both one shot kills. The Partition was a complete pass threw and the Gameking hit the front shoulder and what was left of the bullet was found in the other shoulder. Neither deer went more than 10 yards. The Gameking penetrated almost all the way through, even after it shatterd the shoulder, but all I was able to find was part of the jacket. The jacket and core separated completely.
I would say that a Nosler Partition (my family has killed many deer with this in many calibers and never had any problems) or a Barnes Triple Shock (no personal experience) of the heaviest weight that your barrel twist will stabilize is your best bet. A bonded bullet of some sort would probably be fine too. I'd stay away from standard cup and core bullets in that small of a caliber.
If you are shooting an AR, the twist is probably fast enough for most bullet weights available. If not, I would be careful and make sure to shoot as far as your furthest shot would possibly be. I know that in my rifle (Howa 1500), which I think is a 1-14 twist rate, anything heavier than 55gr will start to tumble eventually. The 60gr Partitions were consistently grouping under 1" at 100 yards, and I could barely keep them on paper on an 11"x17" target at 200yrds.
I would say that a Nosler Partition (my family has killed many deer with this in many calibers and never had any problems) or a Barnes Triple Shock (no personal experience) of the heaviest weight that your barrel twist will stabilize is your best bet. A bonded bullet of some sort would probably be fine too. I'd stay away from standard cup and core bullets in that small of a caliber.
If you are shooting an AR, the twist is probably fast enough for most bullet weights available. If not, I would be careful and make sure to shoot as far as your furthest shot would possibly be. I know that in my rifle (Howa 1500), which I think is a 1-14 twist rate, anything heavier than 55gr will start to tumble eventually. The 60gr Partitions were consistently grouping under 1" at 100 yards, and I could barely keep them on paper on an 11"x17" target at 200yrds.