Thread: 22-250 1:14 load advice 50/55gr loads CFE/W760

Originally Posted by Mathias

Mate was using 50gr Vmax in a 223 on a recent goat trip & they were absolute shit killers. Lots of flesh wounds & second & third finishing shots. He's a seasoned shooter & marksman. Save them for the bunnies.

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It's the same as it's always been,shot placement. If using really soft n explody you realistically only have two choices,head/neck or in the crease. Eg no heavy bone to deal with and vital bits close to surface. That isn't calibre specific either.

Originally Posted by Tahr

I seem to recall @Seventenths used to shoot Sika with VMax quite successfully?

Yes but at 223 speeds.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Yes but at 223 speeds.

I only shot 5-6 sika with 55 gr vmax in my .223 and had absolutely no issues with them at all killing.

Out again today with the 22-250 to protect a Manuka plantation and managed to cut off some goats from their normal escape path into the mature native. I sneaked in to 200yrds and thought they would run back toward me. I also had my bi-pod this time and tied my dog up before getting a good steady rest. Starting with the PPU 55gr loads I lined up on a big white billy and whacked it in the shoulder. The mob milled around and the next target was a black Billy which I also shot in the shoulder. The rest didn’t follow my plan and went in the opposite direction out of sight. I took off across an old skid trail through gorse wishing I hadn’t worn shorts and made the next ridge. I wacked another Billy that was angling away behind the shoulder with the PPUs that surprised me by running off downhill but I saw blood from the shot in the scope and it soon dropped. The rest of the mob were on a mission, and soon ranged at 310yds. Two misses followed so I consulted the drop chart on my phone and loaded some VMAXs into the mag. The Vixen 3-12 is a great wee scope and the BDC reticle quite useful. They were now 350yrds and I was tracking the last Billy. It stopped next to another goat so I let fly and the other goat dropped (I was aiming for the Billy!). Getting a better rest a nanny stood side on so using a hash mark I aimed for the shoulder and it dropped instantly 4 legs in the air. The rest had disappeared. Time to go back and get my dog. Final shooting position below



The VMAX are very accurate and very effective for smaller goats.

She’s a deadly calibre the 22 250. I don’t use mine enough , the last good shoot was down south on the wallabies, it sure as hell sorted them out.

Another trip today - stuffed it up but it all ended up fine. I was taking it easy after knee surgery so mainly drove around. Came across a mob where I wasn’t expecting them and at 400yrds too far away, so I tried to drive around to another ridge where they were heading and it didn’t work as the ridge split and I was far away on the wrong spur. I went back to a big cutover block and could hear some goats bleating and spotted a couple of small white ones near the creek. While moving in the bushes moved on the other side and three bigger goats appeared about 30yrds away so I got ready for a standing shot. I had a PPU first up in case of pigs so waited for the biggest to stand side on and popped it behind the shoulder - thwack and it ran off! Now I was into the VMAX loads and another stood side on a dropped like a stone. The first one appeared again and zap it sacked with the VMAX. The last one ran past and I missed it over the top of its back when it stopped….

Back to the goats by the creek and I sneaked in to 120yrds on the rangefinder and got a rest on a log. I dropped the biggest (they were very small) and the second one went to check on its mate. A hurried shot missed it and it leap into the creek with a slash and was out of site. Two more appeared and the VMAX dropped both before the now wet goat climbed back into site and got a present with a better shot.

I took some meat off the first two and the dog was happy

I think the PPUs are too hard for smaller goats and I’ll be aiming to hit shoulder - but the VMAx seem magic

Middle ground could well be the cheap as chips Hornady or speer 55gn cup n core projectiles.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Middle ground could well be the cheap as chips Hornady or speer 55gn cup n core projectiles.

I run 52 grain Sierra hp match projectiles in my Swift. Super accurate and hold together quite well for the speed they do.