224 projectile for Roe or other small deer

[Opposite Pole]

I'm trying to choose a projectile to load for Roe Deer hunting. What 224 bullet would you use on a deer that is under 30kg, say 60lbs on hoof, to be taken at an absolute max distance of 200m, but with 100m being far more likely? My limiting factor is 1/12 twist rate barrel. Roe deer are a delicacy so no varmint bullets please. I want to kill it correctly that is quickly and humanely and I don't necessarily enjoy my meat "preminced".

I'm looking at:
-Swift Scirocco II 62gr
-Norma Oryx 55gr
-Nosler Partition 60gr
-Sierra Gameking in 55gr or 62gr
-Sierra TGK 64gr - would be my preference but I'm not sure it will stabilise - I'm waiting to hear back from Sierra.
-Perhaps a 50gr Barnes TTSX?

What do you ladies and gentlemen of the forum reckon?

 

[112Savage]

Add to your list the nosler 64 gr BSB. These can usually be had on shooter’s pro shop as second and overrun bullets for a discount. They are a really tough bonded bullet that I would trust on deer and small hogs. I’ve got some of these loaded for my 223 16” barrel. They’re going 2700 fps and expand very nicely. I have not put them into deer though because it’s illegal to use less than 6mm on deer.

 

[WAB]

Speer or Sierra used to make a 70 gr spitzer for this application.

 

[C.W. Richter]

what cartridge? NPT 60 definitely. Made for such hunting. IF i were using a 22-250, i'd ensure that the animal were out at 200 yds or beyond to minimize damage. shouldn't be a problem in smaller cases. Nothing >60gr will stabilize in factory twist 22-250s. idk about 223s.

 

[shootist~]

The 1x12 twist is obviously going to be an issue.
Somewhere I still have a few TBBC 55 gr 223/5.56 I loaded for Whitetail many years ago - but was never brave enough to try them on game.

Looking at reviews on MidwayUSA, the 62 gr Scirocco needs 1x9 or faster. And reviews on actual game are few.

The 50 gr TTSX worked in a 1x12 and has at least satisfactory performance on varmints and also on deer - if a 50 yard run is considered satisfactory.

Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX) Bullets 22 Cal (224 Diameter) 50

The Tipped TSX features a 100-percent copper body with rings cut into the shank. A polymer tip boosts the ballistic coefficient, improves long-range...

www.midwayusa.com

No data was found on the 55 grain Oryx, but it would probably be my choice for a 60 pound or smaller deer.

 

[WAB]

what cartridge? NPT 60 definitely. Made for such hunting. IF i were using a 22-250, i'd ensure that the animal were out at 200 yds or beyond to minimize damage. shouldn't be a problem in smaller cases. Nothing >60gr will stabilize in factory twist 22-250s. idk about 223s.

I got just under 1” 5 shot groups with the 70 gr bullet in my .22-250. The rifle was a first generation Ruger M77.

 

[112Savage]

The 64 gr Nosler BSB is a short flat base and flat point bullet so should work well in a slow twist

 

[Scrumbag]

65gr Sierra SBT works really well

 

[Opposite Pole]

what cartridge?

5.6x50R - basically a rimmed 223

 

[Longwalker]

The Norma Oryx would be my choice. Wonderful bullets that don't fragment much at all, just expand and punch big holes. A close second would be the Barnes TSX, but in 45 gr. I doubt that your rifle's slow twist barrel will stabilize their 50 gr. bullet, they are so long.

 

[Opposite Pole]

The Norma Oryx would be my choice. Wonderful bullets that don't fragment much at all, just expand and punch big holes. A close second would be the Barnes TSX, but in 45 gr. I doubt that your rifle's slow twist barrel will stabilize their 50 gr. bullet, they are so long.

I use 285gr Oryx in 9.3 and I’m very satisfied with it, I have another box of them in 8mm waiting to be loaded for 8x57JRS.

According to Barnes’ website the 50gr TTSX requires 1/12 twist, the web site does’t provide the info for TSX for some reason. According to Barnes 55gr TTSX already necessitates a much faster 1/10. However, the manufacturer’s claims vs reality aren’t always the same.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I'm trying to choose a projectile to load for Roe Deer hunting. What 224 bullet would you use on a deer that is under 30kg, say 60lbs on hoof, to be taken at an absolute max distance of 200m, but with 100m being far more likely? My limiting factor is 1/12 twist rate barrel. Roe deer are a delicacy so no varmint bullets please. I want to kill it correctly that is quickly and humanely and I don't necessarily enjoy my meat "preminced".

I'm looking at:
-Swift Scirocco II 62gr
-Norma Oryx 55gr
-Nosler Partition 60gr
-Sierra Gameking in 55gr or 62gr
-Sierra TGK 64gr - would be my preference but I'm not sure it will stabilise - I'm waiting to hear back from Sierra.
-Perhaps a 50gr Barnes TTSX?

What do you ladies and gentlemen of the forum reckon?

@Opposite Pole
I know you are not looking at a varmit bullet but have you considered the 36gn Barnes varmit grenade. On game that size it should just pulverise the internal organs or neck shoot them.
You didn't start what sort of 224 rifle you are using. It could be anything from the humble hornet up to the 220 Swift.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Speer or Sierra used to make a 70 gr spitzer for this application.

@WAB
It was speer mate and it was a 70gn semi spitter for use in the 22-250. It was designed for use on whitetail deer but also worked well on pigs with a behind the shoulder shot.
Bob

 

[WAB]

@WAB
It was speer mate and it was a 70gn semi spitter for use in the 22-250. It was designed for use on whitetail deer but also worked well on pigs with a behind the shoulder shot.
Bob

That’s the bullet I used. I’m not sure if they still make it, but I would think that it would be a good candidate if they do.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Federal makes a 62 grain TBBC. I see the them for sale on gunbroker frequently.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

That’s the bullet I used. I’m not sure if they still make it, but I would think that it would be a good candidate if they do.

@WAB
Yes they still make it