Some Gunners Just Don't Think

[Joe Chartreuse]

It happened again. Some twit described my .22/250 as "just a varmint rifle" and not a good self defense weapon, which gave me the giggles.. SO: Starting with "varmints" which are defined as animals that are dangerous crops, pets, and domestic food animals. This could describe anything from rabbits, to coyote, to deer. First thought: If it will kill deer, it will kill people. With a muzzle velocity of 3600 to over 4,000 FPS and a flat trajectory it will kill people, and better than a .223, a .556 and probably better than a Nato 7.62. Probably the only creatures for which I wouldn't recommend it is a bear, and elk, or a moose.

 

[eveled]

It's fast and accurate no doubt. It's a little hole, but in the right place it's certainly deadly. The lighter bullets probably limit penetration.

Is it legal for deer where you are? .223 is a varmint caliber too so it's is comparable to .22/250. I’ve never heard of either one as a deer rifle.

Neither one should be compared to .308.

 

[Jeepnik]

You can kill a polar bear with a .22 lr. But it's not recommended.

 

[Mobuck]

Humans tend to be rather 'fragile' animals. The 'mental' aspect of being shot has a lot to do with the actual effect.
I've shot several deer with a 22/250-usually from 200+ yards away. Many/most just stood where they were until toppling over like they didn't seem to know they'd been shot.
At shorter ranges, the explosive expansion of the typical 'varmint bullet' will be very graphic.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Neither one should be compared to .308.

I have to agree with that.
They are not even in the same league.

There are a lot of deer out there pushing up daisies because of the 22/250 , but it still wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[ds55]

Dude, calling a .22/250 'just a varmint rifle' is wild—that thing's a laser with some serious punch! If it can drop a deer, it's more than enough for self-defense. Maybe not for a grizzly, but for two-legged trouble? Plenty of stopping power. Gotta wonder what that guy was thinking!

 

[eveled]

Has anyone heard of a wild cat cartridge called .22 Varminter?

 

[Yaworski]

Neither one should be compared to .308.

That's a silly statement. Saying ".308 is more efficacious than .223 for deer hunting" is a valid comparison.

Saying, "There's no comparison" is also silly. Comparison is always possible, even when discussing apples and oranges.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Another gas lighting thread......it is common knowledge that there are different "varmint" bullets/rounds and "predator" bullets/rounds. Many years ago what was considered a "varmint" bullet was also used for "predator" with the same rifle. When the introduction of the Nosler Ballistic tips came about the game started changing regarding varmint hunting. When the predator hunting craze came about folks discovered that the varmint bullets were not the best choice for predators, especially if they wanted a pelt friendly bullet. But the same rifle could be used. Dedicated varmint bullets and dedicated predator bullets are different.

As for personal defense anything can be used....although a 22-250 for the sole purpose of self defense, especially if in a hunting rifle platform, is a odd choice to me.

 

[eveled]

That's a silly statement. Saying ".308 is more efficacious than .223 for deer hunting" is a valid comparison.

Saying, "There's no comparison" is also silly. Comparison is always possible, even when discussing apples and oranges.

It's a common expression. It is implied that they are so far apart from each other that they should not be compared. You knew that

You like to correct people. To feel superior? Ok you're smarter than me. You win.

Thanks for contributing pertinent information to the conversation.

Everyone knows what I meant.

Not every expression should be taken literally. This is a gun forum not an English language forum.

 

[Yaworski]

You like to correct people. To feel superior? Ok you're smarter than me. You win.

When you're feeling down always remember you is smart, you is kind, you is important. It may not be true but it will help you get through the day.

 

[Cholo]

Are you as much fun in person as you are on this Forum?

 

[contender]

Funny, as I read the OP,, I thought of all the idiots who fail to understand firearms, calibers, or other such things,, yet try & claim to be "experts!" Kinda like a lot of the media types.

 

[Yaworski]

Are you as much fun in person as you are on this Forum?

Even more fun. You should see me do the Time Warp.

 

[DGW1949]

Well I for one, am not going after a deer with a .22-anything, so I guess I'm not much of a "thinker", or a "gunner".....But that's OK with me, I can live with that..LOL.

DGW

 

[Johnnu2]

I try never to shoot my .22-250 indoors.... nor from my car (especially with all but one window closed). My neighbors are happy with that policy too.
J.

 

[Fox Mike]

Funny, as I read the OP,, I thought of all the idiots who fail to understand firearms, calibers, or other such things,, yet try & claim to be "experts!" Kinda like a lot of the media types.

Breakdown the word 'expert'. EX is something former. SPURT is a drip under pressure. Put it together and what do you get???? A drip under pressure

 

[eveled]

But “pert” means attractively lively or cheeky.

So expert would be someone who used to be attractive lively and cheeky.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Not every expression should be taken literally. This is a gun forum not an English language forum.

This is a gun forum? I have been here for 16 years and always thought it is a philosophy forum with all discussions to be held in ancient Greek or Latin. Now I feel like Taggart:

 

[eveled]

Strange I mentioned “pert” and Wendy showed up.

 

[375hh1973]

Killed a bunch of deer with a .223 and 64gr bullets.

Cant imagine a 22-250 with a well constructed bullet wouldnt do a good job as well.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Even more fun. You should see me do the Time Warp.

No thanx! I would prefer to watch Magenta.

 

[jmca]

I know a fellow out East who shot lots of deer with a 22-250 back when I thought it was just a hot shooting Varmint cartridge. I am older now and know better that it is more versatile than that!

 

[M118LR]

It happened again. Some twit described my .22/250 as "just a varmint rifle" and not a good self defense weapon, which gave me the giggles.. SO: Starting with "varmints" which are defined as animals that are dangerous crops, pets, and domestic food animals. This could describe anything from rabbits, to coyote, to deer. First thought: If it will kill deer, it will kill people. With a muzzle velocity of 3600 to over 4,000 FPS and a flat trajectory it will kill people, and better than a .223, a .556 and probably better than a Nato 7.62. Probably the only creatures for which I wouldn't recommend it is a bear, and elk, or a moose.

Muzzle energy of a 22-250 can reach 1700 ft lbs. Muzzle energy of 7.62 NATO can reach 3000 ft lbs. Either should work for self defense at contact distances, yet the 7.62 almost doubles 22-250 in kentic energy. Choose wisely.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I will choose the 7.62 all day, even with the rainbow trajectory compared to the flat trajectory of the faster 22-250. Many years ago some military and LE experimented using the 22-250 in urban DM/Sniper applications. It didn't fair too well. Give me the heavier bullet every time whether it's deer or bad guy targets. I'm probably dating myself but I still consider 7.62/308 the best all around cal for the "typical" DM/Sniper application. The 300 Win Mag a close second. There are bigger faster Lapua rounds in use these days but I have no experience with them.

 

[jmca]

I shot very accurate M1's a long, long ways for years. Then shot very accurate M1A1's(M-14) a long, long ways! I have even shot very, very accurate AR-15's(M-16) a long ways. You can't beat a 30 cal bullet for retention at distance! (in this conversation of course)

 

[MaxMan]

You can kill a polar bear with a .22 lr. But it's not recommended.

The learning curve is very steep. Failure would be punished very severely.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I know a fellow out East who shot lots of deer with a 22-250 back when I thought it was just a hot shooting Varmint cartridge. I am older now and know better that it is more versatile than that!

Exactly. BTW- M118LR: My statement about maybe being better than the NATO 7.62 was in regard to accuracy, not kinetic energy.

 

[M118LR]

Exactly. BTW- M118LR: My statement about maybe being better than the NATO 7.62 was in regard to accuracy, not kinetic energy.

Accuracy at what distance? I'm sure I can dial full value right to left windage for 20 knot crosswinds on my scope turret for an M118LR 7.62 x 51 at 1100 meters. Now that 22-250 round? BTW does it still have enough kentic energy left to punch a hole in paper more or less a varmint?