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Though the following information might be of use to a few in selecting the appropriate .22 CF rifle for foxing. I have worked from data published in the Nosler re-loading guide to avoid discrepancies in muzzle speeds attained by different hand loaders and often mis- represented by manufacturers of factory rounds. Optimum bullet weights are commonly accepted as 45 grn .22 Hornet, 50 grn .222, 55 grn .223 and 55 grn .22-250. While its fully excepted higher and lower weight bullets can sway figures, this can be said for all and were do we end. Zero range has been taken as the maximum that the bullet will stay in a target of 3 1/3" if aimed centrally, obviously it then depends on shooter skill level if that can be achieved. Don't be mis lead on this point many cannot get their zero target completed on DC1 first go- prone at only 100 yds. If you cannot make the shot it matters little how far the gun can do it! For the metric minded think beer mat! Wind is calculated at 10 mph at full value ie 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock in relation to the shooter over level ground. ,22 Hornet 45 grn Nosler SP @ 2762 fps 163 yds zero keeps to target to 185 yds 9" wind at max .222 rem 50 grn Nosler B/T @ 3212 fps 202 yds zero keeps to target to 233 yds 6.72" wind at max .223 rem 55 grn Nosler B/T @ 3302 fps 209 yds zero keeps to target to 242 yds 6.21" wind at max .22-250 55 grn Nosler B/T @ 3736 fps 234 yds zero keeps to target to 270 yds 6.76" wind at max. Powder burnt and muzzle speed achieved is linked to barrel life and also noise or in these times ease of moderation. I thought I might include this as any ballistic gain has its downside. Again directly from the guide, heat of the powder is another factor in life as is cleaning and cadence of fire but lets keep it simple and think volume only .22 Hornet 12 grains .222 rem 22 grains .223 rem 25 grains .22-250 32 grains Some conclusions .222 and 22-250 compared adding 10 grains of powder only gives 37 yds increase in range, is that price worth paying in terms of reduced life and blast? Certainly not if you cannot shoot that far to the required standard or if you fields are only say 200 yds across. .222 and .223 are fairly equal using 50 grn bullets against 55 in the ,223 rem .22 Hornet burns way less than half the powder of a 22-250 and is still capable of point and shoot trajectory wise to 185 yds, not many can shoot that far without a good stable rest at least. Although personally I have shot foxes considerably further during daylight I am unsure if I have ever shot to 200 yds on the lamp Muzzle energy is mute as all the above will carry enough power to cleanly dispatch an adult fox with a well placed shot at double the respective maximum ranges. In practice one will of course hold slightly higher on the long shots and wind should carefully be considered before taking any shot as it is actually the biggest factor balistically speaking at longer range not drop!