22 Creedmoor for Deer: Why Chattahoochee Munitions Says Choose 243 or 6mm

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22 Creedmoor for deer: Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 22 Creedmoor for deer. It manufactures the CM10 22 Creedmoor for coyotes, varmints and long-range target shooting. A .224-inch bullet of 88 gr or less leaves little margin when a shot hits heavy bone, the animal quarters, or the range is longer than planned, and some states restrict .22 centerfire cartridges for deer. For deer, Chattahoochee Munitions recommends the 243 Winchester or 6mm Creedmoor, both in the CM10.

Why Chattahoochee Munitions Does Not Recommend 22 Creedmoor for Deer

  • Bullet weight and diameter: 75 to 88 gr .224 bullets carry less frontal area and weight than 90 to 105 gr 6 mm bullets, so a hit that is slightly off leaves less margin.
  • Bullet design: much 22 Creedmoor ammunition uses match or varmint bullets that are not designed for deer. Match bullets may not expand reliably; varmint bullets may break up too fast.
  • Energy is not the whole story: the 22 Creedmoor carries a lot of energy at distance (about 1,435 ft-lb at 300 yards from the 22-inch CM10, by Chattahoochee Munitions calculation from Hornady’s published 88 gr ELD Match velocity), but energy figures do not show penetration through bone.
  • Regulations: some states set minimum calibers or prohibit .22 centerfire cartridges for deer. Check with your state wildlife agency.

What 22 Creedmoor Is For

The 22 Creedmoor was designed to put heavy, high-BC .224 bullets on small targets at long range. That makes it a strong fit for:

  • Coyotes, foxes and bobcats from 300 to 600 yards in open, windy country
  • Prairie dogs and other varmints at distance
  • Small to medium feral hogs at close range with a controlled-expansion bullet
  • Long-range steel and paper

Read What is 22 Creedmoor? and 22 Creedmoor ballistics.

22 Creedmoor for Deer: The Alternatives

Muzzle velocities are Hornady’s published 24-inch figures; CM10 rows are Chattahoochee Munitions calculations at each CM10’s barrel length (200-yard zero, standard atmosphere, 30 fps per inch below 24 inches). They are not chronograph data.

CM10 cartridge and load Bullet Energy at 300 yd Chattahoochee Munitions for deer
22 Creedmoor, 88 gr ELD Match (22 in) .224, match 1,435 ft-lb Not recommended
22-250, 55 gr V-MAX (20 in) .224, varmint 705 ft-lb Not recommended
243 Winchester, 90 gr ELD-X (20 in) .243, hunting 1,115 ft-lb Recommended
6mm Creedmoor, 108 gr ELD Match (18 in) .243 1,251 ft-lb Recommended with a hunting bullet

Read 243 for deer, What is 6mm Creedmoor? and 22 Creedmoor vs 243. For elk, choose 338 Federal or 375 Raptor; for bear, 458 SOCOM XL or 375 Raptor.

One Magazine, Two CM10s

The CM10 22 Creedmoor and CM10 243 Winchester share the same 10-round Magpul PMAG LR/SR magazine, the same receivers, rifle-length gas, Superlative Arms adjustable gas block, TriggerTech Duty trigger and B5 Systems CPS Medium stock. A coyote hunter who also hunts deer can run both rifles with one set of magazines.

See all of them at Predator Plains. Cartridge standards: SAAMI on the 22 Creedmoor.

More Predator Plains Guides

22 Creedmoor for Deer FAQ

Is 22 Creedmoor good for deer?

Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 22 Creedmoor for deer. Choose 243 Winchester or 6mm Creedmoor.

Is 22 Creedmoor legal for deer?

It depends on the state. Some states restrict .22 centerfire cartridges for deer; check current regulations with your wildlife agency.

What is 22 Creedmoor good for?

Coyotes, foxes, varmints and long-range target shooting with heavy .224 bullets.

Is 22-250 good for deer?

Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 22-250 or 22 Creedmoor for deer.

What is the smallest cartridge Chattahoochee Munitions recommends for deer?

In the CM10, the 243 Winchester and 6mm Creedmoor are more suitable than 22 Creedmoor for deer.

Who makes a 22 Creedmoor AR10?

Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM10 22 Creedmoor AR10 with a 22-inch 416R stainless 1:8 barrel.

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