Thread: The ‘controversial.222’

Back when I used the 222 a lot I found it very efficient within it's range limitations. When culling we used Sako 50 gr ammo which I think was relatively hard bullet but it performed well.
Over the years I handloaded various bullets , most worked well on goats which is what we used the 222 for a lot. I did use the 222 for deer as my main caliber for a number of years and it killed well for a light caliber. Back then the Winchester 50 gr was the bullet I used quite a bit and did shoot a few big stags with them. I found that well placed shoulder shots would have the animal run, but generally they went down within 30 -50 yards.
I remember losing a deer in the Whirinaki many years back as it ran away, it was running around a clearing and I think my shot raked it along the ribs towards the shoulder, it left a good blood trail for a while which we followed by torch light eventually losing it and getting ourselves "misplaced" we found our way out of the bush about midnight.
With good bullet placement and bullets the 222/223 are fine little performers out to about 200 yards for consistent results.
Nowdays I use a 223 which is much of a muchness, they are a do it all caliber if the shooter is careful with it's use.