good enough for good sized south texas deer?

Shot placement is key. My dad shot two deer that didn't drop with a 30-06 (lost 1) and I shot three deer this year with a 55 grain from a 223 and they dropped right there.

under or around a 100 yards with a neck shot, yeah. i use gamekings or v-maxes.

this time of year i would hesistate to shoot a big mature buck in the neck, they have quite a bit of meat around their, but a low shot in the jugular should get him.

heart/lung shot, it will get them, but they run along way and the exit hole isn't exactly gaping.

get something bigger if you can, like a .25-06

I use 55 gr. Nosler ballistic tips, they do alot of damage, mostly use them on coyotes or hogs though.

Here's Hornady's 55gr 22-250 ballistics at 100 yards:
3253 velocity/1292fps

Compared to Hornady's 130gr .270:
2984velocity/2570fps

actually the round my rifle likes the best uses a 55 gr SBT GameKing Spitzer Boat Tail, not just a regular soft point, just to clarify.

I normally keep either a 222 or 22-250 in the stand for varmints or if I am going for a doe. I have downed several bucks with the 22-250. Both 55gr v max or the 63gr sbt. Either will normally drop one in their tracks with the right bullet placement. A bad shot with a 7Mag will lose a deer, but my firearm of choice is my trusty old 7 Mag.

Took a 22-250 to the stand last year to take a doe and a 160lbs cull buck came out at 60ish yds; I shot him in the boiler room with a 60gr hollow point and he ran 80ish yards in a heavy fog with NO blood trail....

Broke me of using a 22-250 on deer their are alot better choices; after all what if a 170" buck weighing 200+lbs walks out at 250yds....then your WAY under gunned as stated before a 25-06 or 270 is your best bet

been using one forever it seems - 55 gr and no problems. shot placement is the key.

killed 2 bucks last year w 55 grn sp,shot behind shoulder,neither went more than 25 yards. No exit wound and no blood trail,it will do the job, but I prefer blood trails so its back to my 308 this year.

I want blood coming out both sides.

If you are asking this question then you don't have confidence. Pick a caliber that you are confident in and go with it. Why take the chance. You owe the deer a good clean kill. YES it will work. You have no margin for error. With a 30.06 you DO have some margin for error. Good luck and happy hunting.

Doe only... If you don't own one try to borrow something bigger for trophy hunting. Do yourself and the animal a favor.... IMO

not to mention,its thick in south texas.


what would be an easy find in the hill country or post oak region will be a nightmare in the brush

you can kill deer with a 22-250, but why not shoot something that is going to give you a "cleaner" kill like a 270 or 308? (If a 270 kicks too much, buy a slip on Limsaver recoil pad).....make sure you sight the gun in and don't leave the range until you are consistently shooting 1-2" high at 100 yards and no more than a 1/2" left or right......do this and you will kill and find your deer EVERY time!

Always

grew up hunting in South Texas, dad always used a 22-250 and a 63g Sierra Softpoint

never saw a deer escape his 22-250

of course, he took his time, didn't rush and would pass if the shot wasn't right...
and they sure weren't 100 yards out under a feeder

I have shot countless dear with a 223 and 60 grain noslers, it is a deadly combo under the right circumstances. I have used it extensively while feeder hunting, deer at known distances with a decent rest. However if I even think I am going to be shooting deer at unknown or longer ranges and in a spot and stalk position, I will always go for something a little larger(which I have plenty to choose from so it isnt a big deal) that will nearly guarantee me a passthrough and blood trail. When shooting longer range sometimes it is hard to find the point of impact even with good blood, even worse if there is no blood, and if you dont even know where to start looking you probably wont have very good odds of finding it.

Not saying it wont work, just not my first choice under many circumstances. Others feel free to use what you wish, gives me something to read about with all the "I made a perfect shot but lost my deer and there was no blood does anyone know a tracking dog?" posts.

matt

this is the number 1 reason alot of deer are lost.


low light, bad conditions and pure excitement all play a part.