The ultimate foxing calibre

[JackReady]

I have been looking for the ultimate foxing calibre for a while now, and have always felt the .22-250 fitted the bill pretty adequately. far better than the .223 and way better than the .222. The only thing that came close was the 220swift.

 

But I have now started giving serious consideration to the 6mm's. Namely the 6mm PPC 6mmBR and 6mm Dasher. Their in built accuracy advantages over the .243 appeals to me.

 

I know a few guys with 6mmPPC's and 6mmDashers that use them exclusively for sub 600m BR. Anyone given them a go as a varmint rifle?

Edited June 6, 2010 by JackReady

[al4x]

so what are you having trouble with with your 22-250?

[JackReady]

so what are you having trouble with with your 22-250?

 

No trouble at all thanks. But you never stop looking do you.

[silver_fox]

If I was looking for another fox/deer calibre, I would seriously consider the .260 Remington.

[JackReady]

If I was looking for another fox/deer calibre, I would seriously consider the .260 Remington.

 

No mate. This is for an out and out ultimate foxing rifle. Deer don't even get a look in.

[Bazooka Joe]

Must be a special project then JR ?

 

Out of the three, there's only one that's got factory brass...correct me if I'm wrong,

 

lot of effort to go to for a Foxing Caliber...there again..!

[magman]

I have been looking for the ultimate foxing calibre for a while now, and have always felt the .22-250 fitted the bill pretty adequately. far better than the .223 and way better than the .222. The only thing that came close was the 220swift.

 

But I have now started giving serious consideration to the 6mm's. Namely the 6mm PPC 6mmBR and 6mm Dasher. Their in built accuracy advantages over the .243 appeals to me.

 

I know a few guys with 6mmPPC's and 6mmDashers that use them exclusively for sub 600m BR. Anyone given them a go as a varmint rifle?

 

That could be your downfall IMHO out too 250 yards its all you will ever need

[OCD]

Got to be the 2506AI

85gr nosler ballistic tip@ 3960fps

 

Or the 25 stw

100gr barnes tsx @4225fps

 

Both make fantastic fox rounds though the stw has a short barrel life

[JackReady]

Got to be the 2506AI

85gr nosler ballistic tip@ 3960fps

 

Or the 25 stw

100gr barnes tsx @4225fps

 

Both make fantastic fox rounds though the stw has a short barrel life

 

Theres always the .243 WSSM to look at

 

243 WSSM 55 grains MV4,060 fps -3.9 at 300yd off a 100 yard zero 2,013ME

ME

243 WSSM 95 grains MV3,250 fps -5.7 at 300yds 2,258ME

 

I'm starting to get persuaded.

[bullet boy]

Don't know if the 22-250 is the Ultimate Fox Calibre,but before I bought one I did quite a bit of research on what I wanted in a Fox Calibre.What I liked about the 22-250 calibre is that the bullet is a lovely flat shooting out to 250 yards and a very fast round indeed.I use Norma 50 gr V-Max ammunition.

I wouldn't change this calibre for any other for Fox Control.

I suppose at the end of the day it's up to individual preference.

[JackReady]

The calibre is very good and I dont want to talk accuracy as it is a custom gun so goes without saying it is very good.

 

It depend s on what your calling "custom". I know one "custom" build that has never been what I would describe as sorted since the day it was delivered. The bloke who owns it seems happy enough with it but if it was mine it would have been returned to the builder with a demand for my money back.

 

As a ultimate foxing rifle one of the big considerations for me is a decent PBR combined with the ability to maintain a calibres inherent accuracy out beyond its PBR there by allowing for readily available dial up solutions. Should the need arise. The old antiquated, Octogenarian.222 just doesn't do that IMO. Besides you'd not be carrying it about and shooting off sticks with what I have in mind.

[JackReady]

Don't know if the 22-250 is the Ultimate Fox Calibre,but before I bought one I did quite a bit of research on what I wanted in a Fox Calibre.What I liked about the 22-250 calibre is that the bullet is a lovely flat shooting out to 250 yards and a very fast round indeed.I use Norma 50 gr V-Max ammunition.

I wouldn't change this calibre for any other for Fox Control.

I suppose at the end of the day it's up to individual preference.

 

Same here BB. Like you IMO the .22-250 takes all the prizes out to 250m. I'm just looking for that something a bit extra, and the 6mms just seen the way to go. The question is which one.

[OCD]

6-284 70gr sierra blitzking 3,950fps

 

Nicked this of another site

 

 

There are many great varmint cartridges such as the;

1. 204

2. 223

3. 22-250

4. 220 Swift

 

However, for this discussion were focusing on long range varminting out to 1000 yards. This type of shooting is not fast, so barrel life will not be a factor. The following needs to be taken into account when considering this cartridge; Velocity, Accuracy, Recoil, Retained energy, Bullet and Brass selection. The cartridges mentioned above are excellent varmint cartriges and they can be used for long range varminting with the right bullet, but they are not the norm for this type of shooting. For this discussion, we will use the following 6mm cartridges because they are all suitable for 1000 yard varmint work. The question is which one is the best;

 

1. 6x284

2. 6mm BR

3. 6mm Remington

4. 243 Ackley Improved

5. 6mm Ackley Improved

6. 243 Winchester

 

Yes, there are other great calibers. However, the 6mm cartridges IMO are king in this department for ranges out to 1000 yards. I know there are larger calibers aswell, however, they produce more recoil and are more expensive to shoot. Also, the larger calibers are better suited for shooting past 1000 yards. So, lets discuss the best 1000 yard varmint cartridge.

 

IMO, this is how they stack up;

 

1. The 6x284 is number 1 because of the combined qualities; Velocity, Accuracy, Retained energy down range, Low recoil and brass selection. The 6x284 can shoot a 107grn bullet, from a 30" pipe, at around 3500fps. There is no other 6mm cartridge that can produce the velocity and accuracy that the 6x284 can and that's why I believe it's the ultimate 1000 yard varmint cartridge.

 

2. In second, the 243 Ackley Improved. It's much slower than the 6x284, however, It comes close to the 6mm Ackley Improved in velocity. The reason I pick it over the 6mm Ackley Improved, the 243 Ackley Improved has better brass selection.

 

3. In third, the 6mm Ackley Improved. It comes close to the 6x284 in velocity. However, the brass selection is not good. Yes, you can make good brass out of other cartridges, but that's alot more work for a cartridge that already requires much work.

 

4. In forth, the 243 Winchester. It's much slower than the above mentioned cartridges. However, it still shoots the 107grn bullets faster than the 6BR and you can use excellent brass for the 243 Winchester.

 

5. In fifth, the 6mm Remington. I know it's a bit faster than the 243 Winchester, however, brass selection is poor.

 

6. In last, the 6BR, only because of the velocity factor. The 6BR is the most accurate out of all the listed cartridges. However, we need velocity and accuracy in order to retain enough energy to put a varmint down at 1000 yards. The 6BR is an awesome cartriges and if we were discussing shots out to just 600 yards, than the 6BR would be my #1.

 

The 25-06 is a good caliber for long range varminting too. However, bullet selection is not very good. The 6mm caliber and cartridges are the best for 1000 yard long range varminting.

 

I hope this discussion takes off. I would like to see what others think and see how they list their top 1000 yard long range varmint cartridge.

 

Wildcat

[magman]

However, for this discussion were focusing on long range varminting out to 1000 yards.

 

How many fox's do you shoot at a thousand yrds and most are shot under the lamp try doing that at 1000 yrds

[OCD]

How many fox's do you shoot at a thousand yrds and most are shot under the lamp try doing that at 1000 yrds

 

 

If you read my post you will see that I said I nicked it from another site B)

[bullet boy]

1000yards at Varmints?

[JackReady]

OCD

 

Many Thanks. Where did you borrow that post from?

 

Great minds think alike. It seems I am not the only one pondering the Ultimate Foxing Calibre question.

 

The one missing off his list that I have been researching recently is the 6mm-06. Its about as far as you can reasonably go with the 6mm's. but I feel it is better as a 6.5

Edited June 6, 2010 by JackReady

[OCD]

furthest recorded and confirmed kill on a prairie dog was by Kreg Slack at 3125yards with a 300gr sierra bullet from a .338 lapua mag according to the book Precision shooting at 1000 yards by Dave Brennan

[OCD]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/index.php

 

Loads of good stuff on here

[stevethevanman]

There is no point in arguing which one is the best for a longer range, as most foxes are in at below 250yds, and taking a shot at 1000yds on a fox while it is even sitting is going to be a nightmare of problems. Also, any 6mmPPC, or 6mmBR ect...you are going to have to reload for it and buy a custom gun, also, what loads are you pushing in a .243 to hit 1000yds

 

A .308 is having trouble staying supersonic at that range, so a .243 is going to struggle abit B) with its lower BC's, the 6mmBR is somewhat of a king of benchrest, holding numerous 600yd and 1000yd titles that were previously held by the .308, however once again a full set up is going to cost ALOT

 

If you want a longer range gun I suggest a .308

 

If indeed you want the fastest, best ballistics and the best accuracy with long range knock down, then a 6mmBR is going to be very hard to beat, but being realistic?

 

A .223 will kill a fox just as well as anything else that hits it, provided you get the bullet onto the fox , im sorry but the 6mmBR's will be too expensive to run as you must reaload, and I think im correct in thinking there are no factory guns?

 

Might I also add that if you have ever seen a 1000yd competiion you will know if your "factory" rifle is grouping a basic 1" out the box, you havent got even a hope of hitting a fox at 1000yds

 

Steve

Edited June 6, 2010 by stevethevanman

[OCD]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=181326

 

A bit about the 6-06improved on here

[JackReady]

Steve

 

Don't fret yourself about the money, were not running to a teenage boys budget here. Focus on the question. Which 6mm does the job best or should it be a 6.5. I know several guys looking seriously at 6.5X47 as it takes some beating out to 600m

Edited June 6, 2010 by JackReady

[JackReady]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=181326

 

A bit about the 6-06improved on here

 

Already seen it, read it and filed it thanks

[stevethevanman]

Its a moot point?

 

When are you going to even shoot varmints at at 600m??

 

If you can get one to sit at 600m then be my guest, but as for realistic ability, a .223 if dropped on target will kill up to fox size, which is about the biggest varmint we have in the U.K.

 

Getting specialist benchrest rounds for a varmint application is uneccessary, as you could just as well kill them with a .223 or 22-250, a 600m shooting job is not going to be done form the window of a truck, but prone proably with a spotting scope ect...it would be very difficult to hit something that moves or wont stay still, such as a fox!!

 

Steve

Edited June 6, 2010 by stevethevanman

[OCD]

Steve I think you miss the point and you assume that because you don't want to shoot long range then no one should I live and work on a 4 square mile estate with steep valleys no roads or public paths I have the means financially to own custom rifles,the ability to use them and I am motivated by chasing small groups as far as I can all of this requires looking much further than an off the shelf rifle in .223 or even messing with a .308.

Why not add something to the debate about which 6mm is best rather than analyzing why any one would want such a gun.