I'm a believer that less recoil is better - improves shot placement - all things being equal. It's not though, is it?
My question is if 22 center fires are so great why not a 20 cal or a 17 ? 204 Ruger on elk - you heard it here first!
I believe 22 cal's can be effective on deer sized game but there is just not enough upside. A 6.5 creedmoor to 7 mm rem mag offers so much more momentum, energy, frontal area, etc. without a huge penalty in recoil that anybody can learn to shoot one of them well. I think the 6 mm's are sensible minimums for big game and don't support using anything less for hunting. For culling operations, the 22 centerfires may have their place. They may be as effective as larger centerfires in some circumstances and in some shot placements, but they are NOT superior in any circumstance IMO. To go a bit further, arguing that 22 centerfires are the best, most versatile deer hunting cartridges would be asinine.
They are a niche choice for big game hunting for a reason. You don't need a 30-378 or a 340 Wby to kill a deer and likewise cartridges that do not meet legal minimums in many jurisdictions are a crap choice.
My opinion, of course, is worth what you paid for it.
