22 Creedmoor for deer hunting?

[WisBorn]

I have been a long time hater of 22 caliber cartridges for deer.

I know that 22 caliber cartridges have been used for many years. My opinion was developed after needing to kill 2 deer that were shot with 22 caliber cartridges. I'm confident that a larger bullet would have easily done the job.

Now with the introduction of the 22 Creedmoor, we can shoot an 80 grain bullet out of a 1-8" barrel.
With the advancements in bullets. I'm starting to wonder if they have a place in the deer woods.

 

[entropy]

You could that with .223 , too.
I have used 55 gr. Hornady V-max and 60 gr. Nosler Partition for deer, just haven't shot one with either yet. My son has killed multiple deer with the V-Max, so I know they work.
You might have to pass up shots you'd have taken with larger calibers, but I've seen deer wounded and lost with Magnum calibers before, too. Accuracy becomes more important as caliber decreases.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I am assuming you're up north and the deer are big/thick. If so, I wouldn't, but I tend to be conservative on things like that.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I don't doubt that an 80 grain bullet with an MV of 3200 FPS could do the trick.

 

[mavracer]

You might have to pass up shots you'd have taken with larger calibers, but I've seen deer wounded and lost with Magnum calibers before, too. Accuracy becomes more important as caliber decreases.

Agree, if you're willing to be selective and know anatomy and angles.

 

[JmacD]

Put the right bullet in the right place, and it will do the job. I still think I might prefer just a little bit more umph. I’ve watched several whitetails fold right up with a good shot from a 22-250. I’m liking the sounds of a good 80gr bullet doing its thing.

 

[jmr40]

Some 22 caliber bullets are FMJ, some are designed as varmint rounds, some as target rounds and some as deer bullets. It's not necessarily bullet weight, the Barnes solid copper 55 gr bullets are probably the best deer bullet out there in 22 caliber. It's about choosing the right bullet.

But generally speaking, the heavier bullets are usually intended for deer or as target bullets. And just because it's sold as a target bullet does not necessarily mean it's not effective for deer. Some are, some aren't, you just have to consider each bullet on it's own merits. Some of the 75 gr 223 open tip match bullets will knock down any deer.

I've killed deer with a 223 in an AR. They died just the same as the ones I killed with a 30-06. Used within it's limitations 22 centerfires kill DEER just fine. Those limitations mean specific bullets, limited range, and nothing larger than deer.

As a rule I don't hunt with a 223 because I don't want to limit myself. Here in GA, I can legally kill a black bear almost every day of deer season. And many of the places where I hunt have good bear populations. I have no reservations shooting a deer with the right bullets, but a 223 ain't a bear cartridge with any bullet. Although I know a few people who have done so.

 

[Meeks36]

FIL used to “hunt” deer with a 22 mag. So it will work. Wouldn’t be my first choice but it will work.

 

[bratch]

My 223 rifle killed two does last year shooting a 77 TMK, my buddy who used it for one was so impressed he is planning to buy one himself. Shots were 50-100yards on does but no problem at all.

Once 22CM is more readily available I’ll pick one up and use it for deer hunting. Hopefully Ruger adds it to the American line up.

 

[Robbins290]

I have shot and killed dozens of deer with calibers ranging from 22MAG to 300 win mag.

You should focus on bullet construction/performance over caliber. A good constructed bullet will do its job if you do you job.

The 22 creed would not be an issue if you select a good bullet and do your part in planting it where it should go.

 

[tdbmd]

I have been a long time hater of 22 caliber cartridges for deer.

I know that 22 caliber cartridges have been used for many years. My opinion was developed after needing to kill 2 deer that were shot with 22 caliber cartridges. I'm confident that a larger bullet would have easily done the job.

Now with the introduction of the 22 Creedmoor, we can shoot an 80 grain bullet out of a 1-8" barrel.
With the advancements in bullets. I'm starting to wonder if they have a place in the deer woods.

While .22 centerfires will certainly kill deer, IMO they are better in the hands of "experienced" hunters, those who know where and when to shoot.

 

[bearcreek]

Why bother? That's my first thought. We have lots of proven cartridges for deer. No reason, that I can think of, to attempt to re-invent the wheel.

 

[jmorris]

I picked no. I have killed bigger stuff with lesser rounds so I am sure it can do the job but I have never killed anything too dead and have many better rounds to pick from.

If the only tool you have is a hammer, that kind of makes every problem a nail though...

 

[JDeere]

Myself and my boys have taken Whitetail and no issues with a 22-250 and 55gr SGKs. We never lost one but shot placement is key. As they got a little older we moved on to bigger and better...

 

[Anchorite]

Sure, you can. I checked “maybe” as my answer.
I have killed a doe with a two-fiddy.

One of my college roommates was from South Georgia and his family farmed peanuts. They had what he called a “damage permit” issued by the state every year. They all carried 22-250s year-round because deer are such a nuisance.

 

[Show Me]

A 55 gr TSX in .223 will exit. 80gr will exit more. Extend the range for sure. Plenty of deer get dropped with a 22 250

 

[Hugger-4641]

I voted "maybe".
I've killed deer with 22-250 and 62gr SGK, and .223 with 75gr BTHP- just because I was told it wouldn't work. I've killed deer with 22lr in my younger dumber days. I have no doubt I could kill one with 22creed, and if that was all I had, sure I would.
With that said, considering all the other choices I have ; .243, 6.5cm, 30-06, .308, 300wm, etc., etc. 22creed would be near my last choice to intentionally hunt deer with.

 

[LoonWulf]

Yep! Im less concerned about the cartridge and more concerned about the user and being willing to accept and work within the limitations.
I actually find this more true for 6mms since they are usually suggested in place of .22s.
IMO if you cant do it with an 60-88gr .224 dia hunting bullet, your really not improving your odds with a 80-100gr .243 bullet......so its often the 6mm that "fails"

 

[bratch]

I voted "maybe".

With that said, considering all the other choices I have ; .243,

What does the 243 offer that the 22 Creed doesn’t? The bigger cartridges are a different game but if 243 is a good deer cartridge a ballistic twin in 22 Creed should be as well.

Looking at Hornady Precision Hunter the Creed and 243 they are ballistic equals at 100 yards and the 22 Creed had higher FT-LBS at every distance past that with less drop or wind deflection.

 

[Hugger-4641]

You are correct, they're pretty close. 243 actually pushes a 100gr bullet a couple hundred fps slower. .243 woukd also be near the end of my list of choices. But since I already have a .243 and .270 and 6.5cm, I don't know that I will ever buy a 22 creed. That's another reason my vote is "maybe" .

 

[Chuck R.]

Yep! Im less concerned about the cartridge and more concerned about the user and being willing to accept and work within the limitations.
I actually find this more true for 6mms since they are usually suggested in place of .22s.
IMO if you cant do it with an 60-88gr .224 dia hunting bullet, your really not improving your odds with a 80-100gr .243 bullet......so its often the 6mm that "fails"

And this is why I personally won't go that small.

I know.. me.

 

[Show Me]

Grandkids, 223 tsx and hunting in the woods goes together like peas and carrots.
But only had five

 

[Robbins290]

Grandkids, 223 tsx and hunting in the woods goes together like peas and carrots.
But only had five

The 223 is under rated for deer hunting. I harvested many deer with a .223/5.56. Light recoil and compact rifles make a very handy woods gun.

 

[Okie_Poke]

I voted yes. I probably won’t go out and buy one, but if someone handed me a rifle in a camp I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on deer. I’m likely to have my girls shoot their first deer with a compact 223. Our deer are on the smaller side, and our ranges usually close.

 

[T.R.]

My oldest daughter shot her first deer with my Savage heavy barreled .223 shooting 64 grain Power Point ammo. The shot was taken from a steady rest at a distance of about 125 yards or so. This soft tip bullet went all the way through the chest organs leaving much damage behind. But as the shot echoed across the landscape, this big doe bounded away but collapsed after a run of about 75 feet. I finished it off with my 22 handgun. The following year, she hunted with my .243 Remington rifle; the deer was downed in it's tracks. TR