Big Enough for Whitetail?

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

Produced by: @red11media

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[justinmochi]

Nowhere else can you get such a perfect blend of ballistics and beautiful story telling on such a consistent basis

[johnsnyder]

I am an old man now, in my 70s after having hunted deer for over 50 years. I have shot deer with 338 Win Mag, various 300 magnums, 30-06, 7MM Remington Mag, 270 Weatherby Mag, 270 Winchester, 264 Winchester Mag, 25-06 Remington, 243 Winchester and lastly a 45 Colt through a Marlin 1894 rifle. I have failed to observe any consistent relationship between caliber/cartridge and effect on lethality. All will kill equably well given good shot placement. Understand, I have never shot at any game in excess of 250 yards and do not regret that self imposed limitation. I wish I could say I have never lost a wounded deer but that would be untrue. I can say the loss had nothing to do with cartridge. I have just recently decided that if I continue to hunt deer, it will be with a 223 Remington as I am convinced it will be as lethal as any other cartridge given proper bullet selection and shot placement. We must remember that thousands of deer are killed with arrows every year.

[georgeboros]

Growing up in eastern Montana, my dad owned a 30-06, a 30-30 and a 22-250. He bought the 22-250 for coyotes. But then he had 5 sons. Needless to say, the 22-250 put down a lot of deer...both whitetails and muleys. I don't ever remember doubting it either.

[cpprcrk]

Had a neighbor growing up who used a Anschutz 153 in .222 Rem and took his Deer every year . Said he never lost one, and only had to shoot two a second time .
Granted our Southwest Virginia Bucks were no monsters, but bullet placement and being able to shoot your rifle accurately are the most important part of the game .

[DanielBoone]

It seems like the 22-250 is an underrated cartridge... I've shot a many of deer with it before I started handloading and I always shot the Barnes factory ammo with the 55gr TSX for deer and I never lost one with it. I also had a 22-250AI built and I've shot up to an 80gr ELD-M out to 1000 yards with phenomenal accuracy and I've shot a few deer with the 75gr Gold Dots and 62gr TTSX at about 150ish yards and they just folded up like they were hit by lightning. So I think you hit the nail on the head with this one as always and great video brother keepem coming!!!

[richardstone]

For me it's not worth switching to an Ackley for 100 feet per second. I love the 22-250 with a 60 grain bullet also, the 25-06 with 100 grain, the 270 with 140 grain and the 30-06 with a 180 grain bullet.
Everybody should have the .22lr, 12 gauge shotgun, 22-250 and one of the last three I mentioned 25, 270 or 30-06. If, I could only have ONE rifle I would choose the 22lr or 12 gauge shotgun (with 6shot, 8 shot and slugs).

[philliphill]

"Hunt honest & shoot straight" ... a great theme!!!

[CJ-zxzt]

harvested a bison this weekend. 243 between the horns 1 shot.
its the bullet more than the caliber!! shot placement and bullet choice are always #1
thanks again for another great video

[bryanjaeck]

The best rifle for me to hunt white tails is a .243, I have shot more deer with .243 that the the .308, 30-06 rifles I also owned. I have shot tmen out to 350 yards successfully....Just my favorite rifle caliber....

[davidandre]

Another classic from Ron. It also speaks volumes to that partition bullet! Definitely my favorite hunting channel!

[beavisbrowne]

Great video!!! Shot placement cures many ills...I went for prairie goats with an acquaintance equipped with a 300 rum and I a 22-250 with 55 partitions. Mine dropped so fast it disappeared from view. His 11 shots, the three hits on legs and a lucky head finisher. It's the rifleman not the cartridge..within reason

[tylarhaugan]

22-250 22-250 ackley favorite loads are 75 swift sirrocco and 77 lrx from barnes works very well

[randalgaff]

If I was able to meet one person in the hunting community it would be Ron. Just love listening to him.

[kalebbreshears]

Shot placement for the win! My first deer was taken with a 22-250 Rem in SW MO and I have been hunting deer here with 223 Rem ever since. My brother still loves his 22-250 for deer out to 300 yards.

[jakemarley]

My state Is .24 cal. and over, so yes it will, but giving the warden my truck and guns isn't on the top of my list. So . 243 and 25-06 is popular around here for people who want to do both. Thanks for the common sense content and info Ron👍. And happy and efficient hunting.

[boogerdog]

You are the FIRST HUNTER/SHOOTER, since an Iowa rabbit and bird hunter told me in the 60's that you start behind, PULL THROUGH, and touch the trigger as the barrel passes running or flying game.
I've practiced it myself, and have always had difficulty trying to detail the method to other shooters on some of these utube channels.
But kudo's for mentioning an awesome procedure that few hunters know of.
Awesome, just awesome! Hadn't heard it metioned by another man, since that early 60's moment, but, I never forgot it.

[kingarthur]

I’m so excited! I got a Savage 110 Apex in 6.5 Cm, and it’ll be the first I’ve ever used with a lefty bolt! Thanks for the videos Ron!

[InTheYear]

Got my first coyote while deer hunting in Upstate NY with a 130gr Barnes. Went so fast through him at 125 yards there was minimal damage pelt damage (both entry & exit) I know people who use 243 with varmint grenades and have no exit on larger yotes. Thanks for the content Ron! 👍

[forward]

Absolutely! But only if you really know your gun/cartridge and your game. I’ve taken more white tails with my Savage 223 and 52 grain hollow points (because it really likes them) than every other cartridge I have combined mainly because it’s always with me. I keep my shots within 200 yards and always take a heart shot just behind the shoulder. They drop like a rock.

[PostalBound]

Great story Ron. I believe in the ballistic research as well. While I'm not a fan of 22 cal for deer hunting, I have done my fair share of nuisance tags for does using an old Model 70 Varmiter in 225 Winchester. Using 53 gr x bullet around 3350 fps. Within 200 yards, I have to admit, it knocks them down and out. Keep in mind I'm on sandbags inside box blind. Typical shot straight up the leg, lower 1/3 chest cavity generally dropped them in their tracks. All the meat was either used by my family or donated to others. Point is, many combinations will work. It is up
to the hunter to know his equipment and load limitations. The animals deserve nothing less than our best effort to harvest cleanly and humanely.