22-250 for Coues?

[Shankedit]

I'm thinking of trying to find a fast-twist (1-8") prefit in a 22-250 and wondered if anybody had some experience in using a heavy-for-caliber bullet for Arizona Coues. I'm wanting to go prefit mainly just to keep the cost down some, and try to snag a deal with all these sales, and it seems like about as fast as I've been able to find is the 8-twist. With an 8-twist, it looks like I'll probably max out with the 80-grain ELD-X. I like shooting solid copper for hunting but I worry that those lighter bullets won't be as effective at ranges that you can encounter with Coues, and I think I'll need a 7-twist for the heavier Barnes. Personally, I'd like to keep it 600 yards or so and under, but the closer the better.

Anybody have any experience they care to share?

I have other rifles I can use but I love the 22-250 (first rifle) and have always wanted to try a fast twist with heavier bullets. I have other rifles that are more than capable (7mm-08, 300WSM, 6.5CM, 6 Dasher) but like I said, just wanted to get that fast twist 22-250. I've successfully hunted eastern whitetail with the lighter bullets, but I don't think I'd do it with the lighter bullets now since I have those other options. And the longest shot I've had on eastern whitetail has been 200 yards - so a chip shot really.

And to round it out, this would be a year or two undertaking. Depending on when I try to really draw a tag, I'll have between 7-9 points, so I should be able to draw a decent hunt as long as the trends stay similar to what they are now.

Thanks for the help.

 

[sable tireur]

I usually support hunter's desires for specific cartridges and bullet combinations, but...

When I hunt Coues deer I normally carry my .240 Weatherby with a 26" barrel. I'm sure you might think this is overkill for such a small animal but the geography and wind keep reminding me that slightly bigger and sleeker bullets are the proper way to think.

My very first Coues deer was shot at 615 yards, twitchy winds. The original 105 grain AMAX performed well although I've switched to the 110 grain A-Tip bullet now.

Going back through some of my notes, even the heaviest of .22 Caliber bullets will be challenged by your case choice given the potential of distance and velocity vs energy.

Let your experience and the possibilities guide your choices.

Enjoy the process!

 

[patrickjr]

No experience with heavy for caliber 224 bullets but being a coues hunter, I'd consider using one of your other rifles just so you have plenty of gun for whatever shot conditions you encounter, not to mention these deer can be alot tougher than what people think. The 80gr ELDX sounds like a much better option overall compared to a Mono for what you want to shoot out to. Does also sound like one helluva coyote rig

Might be able to find a 22 creedmoor or 22 Arc that may scratch that fast twist 224 itch

To give you an idea on shot distances, i have killed ~14 coues with a rifle and 4 have been 180-300yards, 1 at 650yards, the rest were all within 350-525 yards.

 

[Elkeater]

I haven't used the .22-250 on coues deer. My go to coues deer rifle is my 7-08ai with a 140gr Absolute Hammer at 3005fps. Most coues deer are shot beyond 300 yards. (I did kill mine at 140 this year because I jumped two bucks out of their beds on the hike into my glassing spot) With the typical shot being a long cross canyon shot in windy conditions if I was looking for a coues specific rifle I would look at a 6mm of some flavor. A lot of guys like 7 PRC, 6.5 PRC, .300 RUM, 28 Nosler, .300Win Mag just because of the large slippery bullets that buck the wind well. And coues deer live in rough terrain and there's definitely times you don't want them going anywhere after the shot.