22 Creedmoor - Tell me why I should or shouldn't

[USAF Ret]

I have been watching videos and reading up on the 22 Creedmoor. I am a disabled vet (titanium rod for a neck, torn shoulders, and chronic headaches) and recoil is getting harder and harder to handle. I hunt suppressed and have recently added one of the suppressor muzzle brakes to help out even more. I mainly whitetail hunt in NC where 22 centerfire is legal for deer hunting. I currently hunt with a 7mm-08 and 5.56.

Why should I get one for deer hunting?

Why shouldn't I get one for deer hunting?

 

[Pilsner]

What's wrong with your 5.56 for deer?
Stock up on some 77grain TMK's and go forth and kill em.
Although I am never the guy to talk you out of buying a new rifle just because.

 

[dårlig jeger]

You should because it's the most versatile centerfire cartridge on the face of the earth.

You shouldn't if you don't need extra range on top of what your 556 can reach.

 

[USAF Ret]

What's wrong with your 5.56 for deer?
Stock up on some 77grain TMK's and go forth and kill em.
Although I am never the guy to talk you out of buying a new rifle just because.

I am stocked up on 77 TMKs. That is what I use. I am hunting a few fields that are right at 300 and the deer like to hang out there. I am pretty comfortable on a 200 yard shot, but feel like I am pushing it a bit on the longer shots. Thanks for the input.

 

[USAF Ret]

You should because it's the most versatile centerfire cartridge on the face of the earth.

You shouldn't if you don't need extra range on top of what your 556 can reach.

And I just answered that one. I have several fields where the distance gets out there a bit more than I am comfortable with.

 

[huntnful]

22 creeds are good fun, aside from just the hunting aspect. Don’t deprive yourself of a new gun IMO haha. You probably don’t need to kill the animals you’re after, but it will kill them GOODER

 

[Pilsner]

I've smoked several of our small Ozark whitetails at 350 yards as that is the distance from my front porch to the mineral site in our front pasture using 5.56 without issue. High shoulder shot with a TMK or ELD-M and Bang!Flop. Drive out on quad and pick them up where they fell.
but Huntnful is correct - a new rifle in 22 creed will do it gooder.

 

[wesfromky]

Have you looked at 6arc?

 

[omicron1792]

I am stocked up on 77 TMKs. That is what I use. I am hunting a few fields that are right at 300 and the deer like to hang out there. I am pretty comfortable on a 200 yard shot, but feel like I am pushing it a bit on the longer shots. Thanks for the input.

You’re good at 300 with 5.56 and 77TMK.

 

[Bluumoon]

22CM is fun… short barrel life and frequently picky on bullets.

the 1:8” 22-250 tikka w 77s is easy button for similar factory rifle (sounds like you reload)

6arc is stupid fun easy to hit quick drop, the other mini 6s would be similar.

Buying a couple thousand 77 gr smks/TMKs already loaded and getting proficient is prob the best move. I wouldn’t hesitate at 300 w the .223 and TMKs

 

[HandgunHTR]

If you are not comfortable taking a 300 yard shot, then the .22 Creed isn't going to help you. Both the 7-08 and 5.56 you have are more than good at that distance (and beyond).

Rather than spend the money on a new rifle, spend 25% of that money on ammo and shoot that ammo at 300-500 yards to get comfortable shooting that far and then go kill stuff.

 

[dårlig jeger]

Have you looked at 6arc?

Or 22arc?

 

[Nine Banger]

Why should I get one for deer hunting?

You can chop it down to 12" and still make Quick Drop with 77s.

Why shouldn't I get one for deer hunting?

The barrel life is short enough you need to always be thinking about the next move.

 

[bnsafe]

think with the recoil issues id take a hard look at the 22 or 6 arc. if you already have plenty 77 tmk the 22 arc would be sweet. sure, its not gooder than a 22cm, but plenty good for dead, just depends on how dead you want them.

 

[BLJ]

My 20” 22ARC is 1802 FPS at 640.

10 rounds of 75 ELDM are about an inch at 100 and are about $24 a box.

 

[USAF Ret]

If you are not comfortable taking a 300 yard shot, then the .22 Creed isn't going to help you. Both the 7-08 and 5.56 you have are more than good at that distance (and beyond).

Rather than spend the money on a new rifle, spend 25% of that money on ammo and shoot that ammo at 300-500 yards to get comfortable shooting that far and then go kill stuff.

It is not a comfort thing, it is the 223 ability ti that distance. My 7mm-08, no issue at all.

 

[USAF Ret]

All good stuff to think about. I appreciate all of your comments.

 

[HandgunHTR]

It is not a comfort thing, it is the 223 ability ti that distance. My 7mm-08, no issue at all.

The .223/5.56 with 77-grain TMKs is perfectly capable at 300 yards (and well beyond). Whether you choose to believe that or not is up to you.

 

[BLJ]

It is not a comfort thing, it is the 223 ability ti that distance. My 7mm-08, no issue at all.

One of my 223’s shooting 77 TMK’s has a MV of 2562 and drops to 1805 at 410 yards and 1300’ of elevation (16” barrel).

After seeing what TMK/ELDM bullets do to eastern whitetail, the limiting factor to 410 is me. Not the rifle.

Do you know the MV of the 5.56 shooting the TMK’s that you have now?

 

[USAF Ret]

One of my 223’s shooting 77 TMK’s has a MV of 2562 and drops to 1805 at 410 yards and 1300’ of elevation (16” barrel).

After seeing what TMK/ELDM bullets do to eastern whitetail, the limiting factor to 410 is me. Not the rifle.

Do you know the MV of the 5.56 shooting the TMK’s that you have now?

Not on my hunting rifle. I just picked up my upper from my gunsmith. I had him install an 18" Ballistic Advantage barrel. I will be taking it to the range this weekend for load testing and will do some calculations off the MV. If I get good groups, sounds like I will just stick with what I got. Appreciate it.