Needs some imput going on a Axis hog hunt in a couple of weeks.Was wondering if the ole 220 is gonna be enough gun to take down an Axis...

I have killed alot of both with 22250 and vmax bullets. The axis is alot tougher than your wt deer. If possible shoot them in the neck area. If you shoot them in the shoulder they are probably going to run about 100 yards. They will give no sign of being hit and sometimes will have a small if any blood trail. Im a firm believer in 22250 and swifts for any animal as long as you do your part on them. They are just not forgiving.
The vitals on an axis are a little further forward. It waste some meat but blow out that front shoulder.

Thanks for the info brother.....

maybe with a neck shot but alot could go wrong. I wouldn't try it.

I firmly beleive that you need at least a .270 for an Axis. I really believe that you need a .30 caliber.

I shot one four times last week, one a little high, but right by the spine, and three in the front shoulder while he was trying to get up and run off. I was using a .30-06.

I believe in HUMANELY killing an animal, and in my opinion, you need at least a .30 caliber. I know I am going to hear it from all these "it is about shot placement" guys, but come on. A .22 caliber is just not enough gun to HUMANELY kill an Axis, especially one that weighs 250 lbs.

Better shoot it in the head with a .220 swift, just because the bullet is flying so fast. Just my two cents.

Well I have shot them with 270 wsm and 308 with "great shots" and some times they still tend to run. They are a different animal. Im am not a shot placement guy, I am speaking from experience with multiple shot/kills from a caliber that some say is to light. This happens to be the topic here.
I have humanely killed plenty with the 55 gr. varmint round and have had plenty run a little ways. The same exact thing happens with the 130 gr bullets, you never know with those animals. 4000 ft. per second is devastating.

They better not run cuz i don't wanna help you drag that trophy axis too far.

They wont if I shoot u may be helpin me drag two outta there for that price...

You might have to help me if i don't get mine sighted in

I'd prefer 270 and up for big axis... and if I was paying for a trophy hunt, I'd want plenty of gun...

Have seen them run from 270 and 7mm with bad shots, DRT from good shots... while I shoot a lot of 223 and small bullets, I want more lead and more hole than that....especially if blood cost money...

I would never shoot an Axis with anything that small unless it's in the head/neck. I don't understand why people try to get away with the smallest caliber possible for a particular animal. I think we as hunters owe the animal more respect than that. I shoot a .300 WSM most of the time for deer and lots of other game, and yes I know it's technically "overkill" for deer, but I know it's going to do the job 100% of the time, and I never have to worry about it, and I ALWAYS get an exit wound with plenty of blood. I don't care who you are, or how good of a marksman you are, if you constantly shoot deer (especially Axis sized deer) in the chest with .22 caliber rounds.....you will eventually lose one. Why risk that? I would advise a minimum of .270 for Axis.

Man i didn't think you'd get your butt chewed out over that txhunter. Buddy he'll shoot it with that 220 swift and i'll put money we won't do any tracking. Someone ask a simple question and ppl get bent out of shape over it.

Will it kill'em, YES. Will you find'em maybe at best. Unless you hit vitals with a 22 cal there is usually very little blood trail. I would keep my shots in the head or neck area. On the other hand if you REALLY want to be fair to the animal......well that's your choice as a responsible hunter. There are simply better choices.

I shoot to not rely on a blood trail

Here we go again....

Here's the deal: as stated, if you make a shot to the head or neck with your swift (and hit where you're aiming) you'll be fine. But remember, the wind moves those small, fast bullets around ALOT (check your ballistics) so you've got to keep to a reasonable range to shoot accurately. The vitals offer a much larger target. If you shoot for the vitals, the terminal damage from a 45~55 gr bullet will not be near what it would be from a 115 gr+ on up bullet. Will a shot that goes thru the heart/lungs kill the animal eventually? Yes, eventually. However, you take the chance of hitting bone and not making it to the vitals with a bullet carrying that little energy, or making a small wound channel. That's where the larger calibers/better constructed bullets have the advantage.

This is a trophy Axis hunt right? So I'm guessing you're probably not going to want to blow holes into that beautiful trophy's head or cape. This means shooting for vitals, and makes a larger caliber a much better choice. What else ya got to take?

All this being said, I own a .22-250 and love hunting with it, sticking to accurate head shots as stated. I also own several larger calibers on up to a .338 Win Mag, and took 4 deer with it this year as well. Is it way overkill for TX deer? Heck yes it is, but I love the gun.

My favorite deer-sized game caliber? .25-06 hands down. Typically very accurate, very manageable recoil, and enough energy to attempt vitals shots all day long. I've found that even newbies can learn to shoot it accurately, and good shot placement trumps everything else when trying to kill animals.

I've seen Axis killed with everything from a .204 to the big boys. All shots with the small calibers were to the head at ranges of <80 yards. The big boys have been shots to the shoulder/vitals with .25-06 plus.

Hey Txag appriciate ur input I just got this 220 swift so I'm kinda wanting to try it out...As far as another gun yes I'll be takin a 25-06 took many of deer with it but just tryin to decide if I should take one with the 220... Thanks

Axis are tougher than a whitetail by some margin.

had i not seen it first hand, I would never have believed how much lead they can soak up.

i love my .22-250, but unless I have a good neck or head shot i won't shoot a axis with it.

play it safe, use your 25-06 and aim for the shoulder.

All in all, good luck! Make sure and let us know how it went!

Most ranches won't even let you use anything below a .270 so that'll probably end your debate depending on where you go.

I would say 25-06 is minimum, .270 would be perfect.

As stated before the Heart is right behind the front shoulder blade so you need the right combo of gun and bullet.

.270win with a 130-140gr accubond,interlock,partition would be the best bet.

Agreed on the bullets and placement. Love me some Accubond. In .25-06 the 115 gr Partitions have accounted for lots of dead animals. Federal makes them in a factory load.

I dropped one last year dead in its tracks with a .243 100 gr. Just drill it right in the shoulder and you shouldn't have any problems