been hunting with my 243 for a long time...harvested many deer and hogs with it...its so darn accurate ! recently was gifted a weatherby vanguard 22-250,and am shooting 2 inch groups at 200 yds. here is my question, will it do good as a deer rifle as well as varmints ? or should i just get a calling system and work over the coyotes and hunt me up a bobcat ?

It will do just fine vs deer!!

You will be fine, all about shot placement

53gr TSX are nasty medicine that hot

A .243 would be the absolute minimum I would recommend for deer. Yes, a 22.250 will do the job in the hands of a capable shooter, but it's an awfully light load. I always recommend people shoot the biggest gun that the can easily handle. To your question, I would stick with the .243 for deer and the 22.250 for varmints.

Yep, the .243 is the better deer round.

I would rather shoot a deer with a hot .22-250 loaded with a stout bullet than a reg. .243 load but that is just me

Both are in the light side for deer but place your shots and keep the distance close and you'll be fine

i understand that it is indeed a light round, thats why i am asking for opinions....i dont normally take the average shoulder type shot, more like a heart or neck shot, and over the last two years, been putting down the hogs with a head shot with my HMR 17,its also very light ! the old faithful 30-30 has just been sleeping in the gun cabinet for years now....

It's all about preference and how comfortable you are with the gun. As said above, shot placement is key. I have hunted for many years with a 22-250 with no issues and no lost animals. I have killed many of deer with mine, I love it. If I were to bring my rifle in the woods on opening weekend I would have my 22-250 in hand. (I stick with a bow now.) Take into the woods what you have confidence in. The main thing is get out there and bring a child.

I will say this, IF you are shooting extreme long distances (300+ yrds) I would like a heavier bullet. But that is just my preference.

thanks for all of your input, as bevo mentioned...300 yds. i never plan on going out that far, 200 yds or less, ( i hunt north and east texas, not many 200 yd. plus shots are even an option )this year i was drawn for a TPWD spike/antlerless hunt at lake cooper area....planning on trying the 22-250, and will have the old 30-30 for back up in case i get put in a brushy thick cover area. wish me luck ! and again , thank you all for your opinions !

I would keep body shots under 150 yards.

I've killed a pile with mine using a 55 grain seirra game king

I agree with this.

X2

I have shot a ton of deer with a 22-250. I saw a guy shoot a texas heart shot with one and killed it with no problem. I have let my 10 year old shoot a deer with it as well. That said they practice with it. soon I will upgrade him to a 6x284 one day soon. I think the idea is shoot what you can shoot well.

What about a .223

This comes up every year except usually 223. It's plenty. There are several guys with a million posts on here that think a 300 win mag is necessary. I've been killing hogs with mine and I'm shooting 52 grain Bergers. If I was gonna deer hunt with it I'd get some 60 grain partitions or Barnes. Wouldn't shoot thru the shoulders but a neck or behind the shoulder shot will put them down. 243 is better but it will get the job done.

Anybody got any 22-250 ammo for sale? I cant find any ANYWHERE.....

My GF shot her axis buck with a 22-250, dropped him in his tracks but then she's a good shot too.

I've shot about 14 deer with a .223 from 50yards to 300yards and none have gone more than 150yards. I've shot 4 deer with a 22-250 and have found 1.

$5 a round. limit two rounds

the superior ballistics of a .22-250 must be the reason you lose so many deer

Txtrophyhunter85 yeah, I beleieve it had a lot to do with it. But I shoot the same exact model in the .223

I don't get it... every year there is a bunch on this forum that ask about .223 & 22-250 for deer.....buy a .270, go to the range and be done with it!

.223 & .22-250 are for animals under 50lbs (yes, people have killed deer with these varmint loads but there are too many better choices out there)

If you can't take the recoil, buy a pad.......

I would look to the bullet for answers.

a .223 drives a 55 grain bullet at 3250 fps.

a .22-250 rem. pushes the same bullet at around 3700 fps.

a bullet moving that fast can give less than desireable penetration where as when you slow it down a tad can deliver the goods.