22-250 fpr Pronghorn.... who has used it? What bullet?

[cloverleaf]

So a buddy of mine is trying to talk me out of a 243 as a back up rifle to my 250 SAVAGE. (Dont tell "Aggie" (my rifle) Im looking at some one ...er...thing else). Kinda like the idea of the 22-250 and maybe being able to use the brass in my 250. But the final yard stick is can I hand it to my wife for a pronghorn hunt? I know it can be done. Would you, with what? why or why not? Really have no problem with the 243 despite my friends claims that the 22-250 is inherently more accurate (easy all you 6mm fans- opinions like that are like belly buttons - almost all of us have one).

Anybody own a Savage Axis? That's the potential platform. Thanks CL

 

[usmc 89]

I used my 22-243 Middlested on a few antelope and deer a little faster than your 22-250 but not enough to make a difference. I used two different bullets the Barnes 53 grain triple shock and the 55 grain ballistic tip. the Barnes worked but did not open up well but did go through the shoulders. the ballistic tip on both the antelope and deer worked extremely well causing a big wound channel and decent exit wound. the ballistic tip has a thick heel on it and although the front half is fragile the heel usually exits. I know its a barking bullet but I am just relaying my experience with it. there are some pictures on here of the kills made with 55 grain ballistic tip.

 

[SJB358]

CL, I would, without a doubt use a 22-250 for pronghorn. I haven't shot a pronghorn with one, but I have shot alot of cull deer over apple orchards and it worked fine. I would look at the 55/60 gr BT, 60 PT or the other 65-80 grains Amax's in your rifle, or heck, whatever shoots best. You only need a couple inches of penetration on them and with the lighter recoil, it should allow you to shoot it relatively easily. I like big guns, but for pronghorns, the little 22-250 will get it done pretty nicely. It might even be a chance to test out the 64 grain Nosler on some of them Pronghorns as well.

 

[shoots_5]

I shot a pronghorn with a 22-250 loaded with 52gr SMK. It was beaded down and I belly crawled to 150 yards from it. It never stood up, just laid his head down on the shot. That being said, just be aware that you're typically going to have to stalk a little closer with the little .22 caliber bullets as the wind blows them all over the place, and at least around here, antelope country is ALWAYS windy....

 

[mcseal2]

I'm not a fan of the Savage Axis. The 22-250 would be plenty capable, I'd lean toward a 60gr Partition or 65gr Gameking in it thougth and not all 22-250's will be twisted to shoot the heavier bullets well.

If you are looking for a budget rifle you might check out the Ruger American in 243. In windy prairie areas I'd lean toward the 243 due to the improved ballistic coefficient of available bullets. The Ruger American I have in 270 is a tack driver, and the reviews I have read all speak very highly of the handling and accuracy. It's not a pretty gun, but neither is the Axis. In the 243 some of the better BC's for their weight in hunting bullets are the 85gr Speer SPBT, 87-95gr Berger VLD, 100gr Sierra Gameking.

 

[JD338]

CL,

I am sure the 22-250 would work well on Antelope but there are a few things to keep in mind.
WY and some other states have a minimum caliber requirement.
Use a heavier bullet like the 60 gr PT or the new 64 gr BSB
Limited range
Wait for the perfect shot and stay away from the bigger bones

I think you would be better off with the 243 Win. You can use heavier bullets that have a higher BC and will buck the wind better.
The 95 gr BT is a proven game bullet and the new 90 gr AB is impressive.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

22-250 is illegal for antelope in Wyoming.
Wyoming and Colorado still have a 6mm minimum requirement.

But it's legal in SD.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I agree with S5's post above.

Lethality isn't the problem because a 223 would drop a pronghorn with good shot placement. Coping with the inevitable wind would be the biggest issue to deal with, at least IMO.

Any 6mm would be a better choice. Lots of wind-bucking bullets available.

 

[cloverleaf]

Thanks for the replys fellas. The more I look at this idea, the more I wish I would have kept that Stevens 200 in 7mm-08 nd looked a little harder for the 120 gr loading. "aggie" will take care of the plinking and bench sessions. I can probably survive somthing that recoils a little hard (yes a 7mm-08 is "hard" for my busted up shoulders) I had a WIn model 70 FWT in 7mm-08 in my hands last week. Thats enough to tempt anybody.

 

[FOTIS]

Not a fan of 22's on big game.
I have seen what they can and can not do.

 

[Kodiak]

I have used my p'dog rifle (Savage 22-250 HB) to finish-off a wounded antelope (shot by another hunter) per the request of the land-owner. The 50 gr. Sierra Blitz entered behind the front leg at 200 yds. and did not exit. DRT!

But I would not hunt them with that rifle, actually my .257Bee would be my 1st choice.

Jim

 

[cloverleaf]

Not a fan of 22's on big game.
I have seen what they can and can not do.

I have seen the error of my ways - WHAT was I thinking..... After all I already have the light recoiling pronghorn cal. All I need is another 250-3000. A 25-06 a 270 a 308 or maybe 243. Im talkin' a back up gun here not a shott a box or two from the bench rifle. Thanks for the input guys. Give me a 100 Gr slug and some velocity. CL

 

[Greg Nolan]

I agree. I have shot a few deer with my 22-250 in the past and with 60 gr. BTHPs it's thor's hammer but that's at 100 yds and less. It's a poor bet for anything but a perfect standing broadside and at likely antelope ranges I wouldn't try it.
Greg

 

[Vince]

I can't tell you what a 22-250 will do to a prairie rat but I can tell you the caliber works just fine on kangaroos.

I suspect the 'roo is a little hardier than the prairie rat but I won't be able to confirm that until later this year. Of course I'll be using a 25-06 instead of a 22-250 but I'll try to extrapolate what information I can out of the ordeal and report back.