22-250 for monkey, baboon and small cat

[MarkB]

As many have stated, fast bullets create shock and that opens the thin skinned species. Africa or NA. I have shot and gutted wolves and coyotes with a 300wsm in NA, many jackals, duikers, were destroyed for taxidermy full mounts also using 375, 308 with accidental softs or even solids when something hard is hit. Stomach full of bait?

My genet last year was gutted with a 100 yd 223 shot, yet my civet was perfect, 308 solid travelled length with no damage on entry or exit. Yet same gun/bullet removed a porcupines head. Shooting hyrax with 22 mag was perfect with no damage.

For a designated/specific small thin skin African game hunt the shotgun/22 hornet is the perfect match. One gun with options and skin damage is minimal in or out for bullet. I must say those cold night hunts on the back of the truck looking for the right eyes are one of my favourite hunts. The combo gun provides every option and covers all species just about perfect for any mounting. Leave that 22-250 at home.

MB

 

[Red Leg]

What do you guys think about a 25-06 on duikers? Was debating between a 22-250 and it but based on this thread ruling out the 22-250.

There are duikers and there are duikers and other small antelope. I would be worried a SP from a 25-06 would cut a blue duiker to pieces. I would anticipate the same result with a suni or dik dik. A red duiker is a bit larger, so maybe only blow his guts out the off side. You would run the same large exit wound risk on oribi and common duiker. Even a 120 gr bullet from a 25-06 leaves the muzzle at 3000 plus. I own a superb .257 Wby and it would not be my duiker whacker (no charge for the rhyme)

What works really well on these various little antelope is a tough sub-3000fps heavy for caliber SP or a solid. I have taken most of my tiny ten with 300 gr solids from a .375. Never an explosive exit wound. The remainder were taken with a 7x57 shooting a 170 gr Oryx. Remember also that most little antelope (as opposed to night critters where the .22 Hornet reigns supreme) are taken while hunting something else. A heavy for caliber SP at moderate velocity in almost anything makes a fine PG choice and usually will work on a duiker.

 

[IvW]

I would image that a 6.5x57mmm/12ga combo would be a perfect compromise.
One could load a 140gr round nosed solid for the smaller ones and use the 12ga for many of the smaller duikers and night critters.
The 6.5mm will not leave you under gunned if you run into a bushbuck, nyala, bushpig etc. While shuffling around in the thick brush.

Having an o/u bergstutzen in 7x57R/9.3x74R with a extra set of barrels in 6.5x57R/12ga would be a African pg dream rifle set

 

[steve white]

I would image that a 6.5x57mmm/12ga combo would be a perfect compromise.
One could load a 140gr round nosed solid for the smaller ones and use the 12ga for many of the smaller duikers and night critters.
The 6.5mm will not leave you under gunned if you run into a bushbuck, nyala, bushpig etc. While shuffling around in the thick brush.

Having an o/u bergstutzen in 7x57R/9.3x74R with a extra set of barrels in 6.5x57R/12ga would be a African pg dream rifle set

Drillings are the bomb. It's funny, though how hunting buddies sometimes say you are excessively extravagant having one, when they are carrying an equally costly long ranch set-up.

 

[Nyati]

243 is probably still too fast.

Definitely, I shot a Duiker with a .243...........no taxidermy

 

[C.W. Richter]

'Have used the 22-250 (and 22 WMR prior as a kid) extensively on woodchucks. The combined (high) V and (low) SD of the typical 55 gr or less .224 bullets causes it to (do its intended job) blow apart and cause a LOT of damage. However, an excellent choice if you don't plan on taking hides home! You can always keep the skulls. IF you do try it, I'd suggest 60 gr hunting bullets (i.e. Nos PTs, barnes, etc. Anything heavier will not stabilize properly in factory twist.) 'Only baboons we ever kept (fit for full mounts) were hit with .375 solids. 264-7-300s displaced considerable hide/hair to parts unknown...I did see one taken at 300 yds and the damage was rather limited. Using stout 60 gr bullets AND keeping your distance (say 300+ yds) for the shot, I would not expect much damage as the V comes down to the 2,000s fps.) MUCH less damage experienced on longer shots using 60 gr bullets (and they penetrate better, drop less and are more accurate downrange.) Necking it back up to 250-3000 might make better sense! Kidding aside, the 22 WMR w/ factory 40-50 gr FMJs would work wonders for your plan (to <150 yds as they drop like ping pong balls), if taking hides home were the goal.

 

[HWL]

Drillings are the bomb. It's funny, though how hunting buddies sometimes say you are excessively extravagant having one, when they are carrying an equally costly long ranch set-up.

The discussion about the .22-250 Remington ends up at the drilling!

Love this... and the gun.

My Krieghoff Drilling in .222 Remington 20 ga/20ga accompanied me, whenever I went to Africa.

Drillings are the perfect solution for the third gun in the African battery.

Dangerous game rifle, plains gamy rifle and everything else rifle.


HWL

 

[C.W. Richter]

What you're suggesting isn't too far off the old marketing claims of the 220 Swift for small African game. Read some of those past articles and someone's bound to talk about bullet selection and tempering hide damage. (I believe this was prior to the introduction of the highly frangible varmint bullets that are the std loadings today.) How ironic that a writer touting the use of more gun may have used one for a time.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

I have taken our Badgers using a .22-250, 55gr Hornaday V Max & not gotten an exit hole. DRT no pelt damage.

 

[Red Leg]

Yes, but a badger is built like a tank compared to a blue duiker or a suni.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Drillings are the bomb. It's funny, though how hunting buddies sometimes say you are excessively extravagant having one, when they are carrying an equally costly long ranch set-up.

@steve white
Savage made a few great little combo's in 22lr/410, 22mag/20gauge and 30-30/12 gauge plus others. They were very well priced. I paid 86 dollars for the 22lr 20 gauge for my dad in 1976.
BRUNO makes well priced 222 or 7x57 and 12 gauge.
Bob

 

[MarkB]

I have taken our Badgers using a .22-250, 55gr Hornaday V Max & not gotten an exit hole. DRT no pelt damage.

On all my night hunts on safari honey badger was the only one that small caliber was NOT promoted, recommended and, or allowed. It is one of two of my "why cant I get one" species on safari, no tag, no badger or worst missed 2x in maize field. Yes solid as a tank, 308 and soft was calibre and bullet of direction from PH's.

@steve white
Savage made a few great little combo's in 22lr/410, 22mag/20gauge and 30-30/12 gauge plus others. They were very well priced. I paid 86 dollars for the 22lr 20 gauge for my dad in 1976.
BRUNO makes well priced 222 or 7x57 and 12 gauge.
Bob

Looked for some time for one of those Bob, the 30/30,12 gauge version. Seen a guy using one for our hydro line right of way, 150 km of its east side, thick and close to residential- any deer with buckshot, west side- any buck with rifle no does, clear cut and more open. Perfect weapon for that specific hunting spot and situation. But its Canada and after years of hopelessness I gave up looking for that unicorn gun.

MB

 

[spike.t]

I promise a full report with pics!
So glad that pain in the rear is gone!

....so Gina isn't talking about you then Bob..........

 

[TroyF]

One day I will own a drilling, the ones Simpson's has are tempting. Just have to save up the $2000-$2500.

 

[geoff rath]

If you are seriously looking for a small animal cats duikers etc. You need to invest in a combination gun. High velocity cartridges are a nono....unless you plan on scull mounts only and obviously dont shoot it in the head. For Africa a 12ga 2 3/4 is the shottie makes most sense.

.22/12ga
.22 Hornet/12ga(perfect)
6.5×57R/12ga
7x57R/12ga

It need not be a fancy rifle as cheaper well made ones are readily availible....
Distances are going to be very close on any night critters except maybe jackal but most will let you shoit your fill of those jo matter the distance

This suggestion makes me think of the Savage O/Us in 20ga,and 22 Mag, or even 30/30. Relatively cheap, and reliable.

 

[ActionBob]

....so Gina isn't talking about you then Bob..........

No she is not!

However I did make the mistake with all thectalk of drillings.... Pulled out my 16x70, with 22 Hornet insert in the right barrel, over 7x65R.... Put some targets up on that woodchuck shed and we both plinked away a bit.. Gina loves it and claimed it!

So I'm on the lookout for another

 

[ActionBob]

No she is not!

However I did make the mistake with all thectalk of drillings.... Pulled out my 16x70, with 22 Hornet insert in the right barrel, over 7x65R.... Put some targets up on that woodchuck shed and we both plinked away a bit.. Gina loves it and claimed it!

So I'm on the lookout for another

And Mike just to clarify for you. I'm on the lookout for another drilling. Not another wife. The wife i have is the best i could hope for She does have great taste in fine things though so I've had to replace my Swarovski binos and she is letting me use "her Rigby" and I suspect she will let me use her new drilling as well. At least until I find replacement guns

 

[Slope77]

Maybe for something coyote size - jackal at 100+ yards?

 

[IvW]

This suggestion makes me think of the Savage O/Us in 20ga,and 22 Mag, or even 30/30. Relatively cheap, and reliable.

Yip I bought a 308W/12ga for my daughter lucky find

 

[TroyF]

How are the tikka o/u? See them at Simpson's often, not to pricy either.