re: Thinking about getting a 22-250

.22-250 is great for hog hunting and general varmint control, and as you said, you can legally kill deer with it. I would get one. The only issue I see with your question is that you mention using it for snakes and turtles...I dont think it is a good use of ammo as it does not cost the same as a rimfire to shoot. Fot he other usesyou mentioned, it is an amazing rifle round.