There's a high likelihood that if you spent any time at a deer camp this fall, the idea of hunting deer with a.22-caliber rifle came up. And, if so, it was a point of contention. Not only in camps, but also on Internet forums and social media, it's a popular issue.
Let's take a look at some of the best deer hunting ammunition in 22 caliber.
1. The .223 Remington
Because AR-15 rifles are so common, this cartridge is mostly used for deer hunting, but with the appropriate load, it may be highly effective. AR-15s can also be easily modified to match the needs of young hunters. From a foot-pound standpoint, the .223 Remington will run out of gas at approximately 150 yards, so use bonded, mono-metal, or partitioned bullets for the best results. That's on par with a standard .30/30 Winchester load in terms of effective range.
2. The .22/250 Remington
It has a speed edge. The .22/250 is 20% faster than the.223 Remington in terms of bullet speed. Its disadvantage is the slow rifling twist rate, which prevents high-BC, heavy-for-caliber rounds from being used. The best option is to use a premium load with a bullet that will stay together. Federal's 60-grain Nosler Partition load is occasionally available, but you may have to roll your own. Regardless, at roughly 200 yards, energy will drop below 1000 foot-pounds.
3. The 22 Nosler
The 22 Nosler is AR-15 compatible, same like the .223, but it holds more powder. This results in faster velocity, while the typical 1-in-8 rifling twist makes it better at handling heavy rounds. The 70-grain AccuBond load from Nosler is the only factory load that is truly deer-capable. This bonded bullet can withstand high impact velocities, moving at 2700 fps and carrying more than 1000 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards. Handloaders have more alternatives, but it's only slightly better than the .223 Remington for deer, and it's nowhere near as popular.
4. The .224 Valkyrie
The Valkyrie is a relatively new rifle that may also be used with an AR-15. It twists at a rate of one in seven. This enables it to steady lengthy, heavy-for-caliber bullets, such as a 90-grain Fusion soft point traveling at 2700 feet per second. This bullet retains velocity and energy well due to its high ballistic coefficient; it will carry 1000 foot-pounds of energy past 250 yards. In terms of .22-caliber deer hunting ammunition, this is the greatest alternative currently available. In terms of terminal ballistics, it should be on level with the great, old .250 Savage, which has a long history in the deer woods.
Scroll down and click the links to see the best prices that GunCritic found online for any of these ammunition. You'll also find real reviews from real people to make sure that it's right for you!
