Simon123 Posted April 10, 2011 Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 I'd go for a .22-250 if i were you mate :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 It's a centrefire .17 round. A .17 bullet sat in front of a lot of extra powder. It's also called the .17 Mach IV two different cartridges, similar but not the same fireball has longer case, less tapered (narrower base). not much in it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 In your situation .223 is the calibre to have. I prefer my Hornet to the .223 I had, but that's because I enjoy loading for it and shoot lots of bunnies with it too. I also find my .243 ok, but it kicks harder than a .223, makes more noise and costs more to feed. My mates .222 is brilliant, but the .223 ammo is more plentiful from almost every shop you will visit. .22-250 is fast, loud and pointless. Like a .243 that isn't Deer legal! .223 does everything you need it to. It will kill Foxes extremely well and do it for sensible money with ammo you will find in any gun shop nationwide. There are also lots of rifles in the calibre giving you the widest possible choice when buying. Almost everyone will have one on the shelf so you can handle them all and see which feels best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5shooter Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 I shoot 223 and 220 swift for lamping. They both have their merits, my 223 is used for lamping from inside my jeep as it has a 22" barrel and is very manouverable. My swift is used as a longer distance rifle wether on walk about or on the quad from the racks. I wouldnt say either cartridge is better than the other! If i was only allowed one rifle for lamping it would be the 223 Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Get yourself a .223 and be done. The choices of factory ammo are great - American Eagle 50gr HPs worked nicely for me before I started reloading. I never get the 'get a 243 and then you can shoot deer as well' argument. I do agree completely that .243 is an excellent fox round, and you can also shoot deer, but the setup of the gun is totally different for each so makes sense to have two. Also, 223 is flatter than a 243 setup for deer, and with a mod you can see the bullet strike where you can't with 243. IMHO this is definitely a case where one calibre can do both, but you can't get one gun to be ideal for both. err, beg to differ seeing the strike is quite possible with .243" can do this with mine even unmoderated, moderated with light bullets its like easy peasy. Stock design and hold used to some extent weight are also factors though that could even render the .223 unspotable if you get them wrong, but yes recoil energy is less in .223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I'd say there's far more recoil from a .243 than a .223. I struggle to see the strike when using the .243 but with .223 sized stuff you hardly notice it's kicked at all. :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprags Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 I used to own a 22-250 and a .270 but got shut of them and opted for one rifle, yep a .243! I love it, it stops charlie with authority It also does quite well on the deer too One rifle, one set up, simple! Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 In your situation .223 is the calibre to have. I prefer my Hornet to the .223 I had, but that's because I enjoy loading for it and shoot lots of bunnies with it too. I also find my .243 ok, but it kicks harder than a .223, makes more noise and costs more to feed. My mates .222 is brilliant, but the .223 ammo is more plentiful from almost every shop you will visit. .22-250 is fast, loud and pointless. Like a .243 that isn't Deer legal! .223 does everything you need it to. It will kill Foxes extremely well and do it for sensible money with ammo you will find in any gun shop nationwide. There are also lots of rifles in the calibre giving you the widest possible choice when buying. Almost everyone will have one on the shelf so you can handle them all and see which feels best. What do you mean by a .22-250 fast,loud and pointless?A 22-250 is a fantastic Fox calibre!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 What do you mean by a .22-250 fast,loud and pointless?A 22-250 is a fantastic Fox calibre!! what he means is you might as well get a .243, fires a larger range of bullets and is deer legal. If you want to burn as much powder and make as much noise why restrict yourself with a 22-250 I'm with sprags get one gun spend more on it and the optics and it'll handle most things fine in the UK as well as being one of the best foxing calibers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Reeve Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Hi As mentioned before .223 is probly your best bet legal for fox, cheap to run, easy to get good supply of factory ammo, good out to 300yards, one thing not mentioned is barrel wear! 22/250, .243 are great rounds and a real red mist producers, but barrel life aint great. Also land clearance if its your first centre fire they may impose a closed condition on your ticket If you have fox`s on your land and have a NEED to get rid of them then it will be easy to get the land cleared for .223 .243 is another matter as it is classed more as a deer calibre. I have found it best to start off lower .223 then when your ready for .243, .308 ect then you can always put down in your variation bigger quarry (Deer)and more range needed. Spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellebarto Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Hi As mentioned before .223 is probly your best bet legal for fox, cheap to run, easy to get good supply of factory ammo, good out to 300yards, one thing not mentioned is barrel wear! 22/250, .243 are great rounds and a real red mist producers, but barrel life aint great. Also land clearance if its your first centre fire they may impose a closed condition on your ticket If you have fox`s on your land and have a NEED to get rid of them then it will be easy to get the land cleared for .223 .243 is another matter as it is classed more as a deer calibre. I have found it best to start off lower .223 then when your ready for .243, .308 ect then you can always put down in your variation bigger quarry (Deer)and more range needed. Spike Yeah having read everyones comments this is kind of where I have ended up. Having only shot rf so far, it seems sensible to build up slow although .223 is going to be all I need in deepest darkest cheshire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Once you have a CF, opportunities will present themself and if you only have one CF you'll be kicking yourself that you don't have a deer legal calibre. My advice, buy a .243 You can set up for fox zeroing with 55gn fast, flat shooting factory ammo but if a deer opportunity comes your way, which sure as God made little apples it will, you can vary your ammo accordingly if required and take the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 I don't see any mention of the .204, is this not considered a good fox calibre ? Just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 It makes holes in foxes but tbh the 223 is much easier for factory ammo, 204 is pretty rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 what he means is you might as well get a .243, fires a larger range of bullets and is deer legal. If you want to burn as much powder and make as much noise why restrict yourself with a 22-250 I'm with sprags get one gun spend more on it and the optics and it'll handle most things fine in the UK as well as being one of the best foxing calibers. I don't look at the .22-250 as a caliber that is so close to a .243 that you might as well get the .243. I compaire it to other .22 CFs and you end up with a punchy .223. There are plenty of deer legal calibers that also kill a fox besides a .243 if that is what you are after. You will be doing well to shoot most CFs out on fox and deer. If I shoot that many then the gun has been worthwhile and will be rebarreled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 But only the 243 really does foxes like a 22-250, it's faster, flatter and has better BC. It a nutshell, it destroys the 22-250 at its own game... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) Ignore Edited April 14, 2011 by Billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 But only the 243 really does foxes like a 22-250, it's faster, flatter and has better BC. It a nutshell, it destroys the 22-250 at its own game... Fair enough and the .22-250 is faster and flatter than the .223. If I get bored of mine/shoot it out I will convert it into a 6mmbr :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Logic Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 But you miss the key point - there is a marked difference between the 223 and 22-250 or 243 in terms of powder charge, noise and recoil. The 22-250 does sit between the 223 and 243, I agree. Personally I like it as a calibre, but I accept it seems pointless next to 243 - if you need longer range etc than 223, then 243 is the logical choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 But you miss the key point - there is a marked difference between the 223 and 22-250 or 243 in terms of powder charge, noise and recoil. The 22-250 does sit between the 223 and 243, I agree. Personally I like it as a calibre, but I accept it seems pointless next to 243 - if you need longer range etc than 223, then 243 is the logical choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 what he means is you might as well get a .243, fires a larger range of bullets and is deer legal. If you want to burn as much powder and make as much noise why restrict yourself with a 22-250 That's pretty much what I meant. A .243 can do anything a .22-250 can, but the .22-250 is a pretty specialist small to medium game round which isn't Deer legal. If you forget Deer then you can deal with 99% of Fox situations with a smaller .22cf. I do a lot with my Hornet and some with a mates .222. In fact the .222 is a lovely calibre, and barely any different to the .223 really. If you do want more then you may as well get a .243 and open your world to things a .22-250 wouldn't offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 the only thing a 22-250 does over the .243 is generally handle lighter bullets better. Most not all but most .243 win shoot best with 75-100 grains 55 grn bullets require a heck of a jump in a factory chambered rifle alright a shorter ranges but loose it at longer range by direct comparisom with the 22-250. That said i am very much in the .243 camp owning one myself as although the lighter bullet from the 22-250 shoots a little flatter at range the 6mm and heavier bullet bucks the wind better. one big issue though is i often need less gun for charlie and am seriously considering getting a hornet or .222 personally for this sort of work, they definatly moderate better for shooting around earths, stink pits etc. so one should consider just how many foxes you need to shoot at 300 yds before you go for either of the bigger guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 A lot of you guys are mentioning Deer.This thread is purely about a Foxing Calibre and none other!!As I previously said any .22 CF will do the job well.I just prefer my .22-250 for a Fox Calibre only! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) one big issue though is i often need less gun for charlie and am seriously considering getting a hornet or .222 personally for this sort of work, they definatly moderate better for shooting around earths, stink pits etc. so one should consider just how many foxes you need to shoot at 300 yds before you go for either of the bigger guns. I shoot more non trapped Foxes with my Hornet than any other gun I own. If you look at 200 yards under the lamp it's a long, long way and the Hornet can handle Fox to that range. Talk of 300+ is getting daft in my opinion even if the rifle is capable. What sort of lamp do you use to clearly ID a Fox at that sort of range? We use a Lightforce 240 with a filter and at 200 yards it's not always crystal clear what you're looking at? EDIT... After reading that again it sounds like a bit of a dig. I didn't mean it that way. Edited April 14, 2011 by njc110381 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 I shoot more non trapped Foxes with my Hornet than any other gun I own. If you look at 200 yards under the lamp it's a long, long way and the Hornet can handle Fox to that range. Talk of 300+ is getting daft in my opinion even if the rifle is capable. What sort of lamp do you use to clearly ID a Fox at that sort of range? We use a Lightforce 240 with a filter and at 200 yards it's not always crystal clear what you're looking at? EDIT... After reading that again it sounds like a bit of a dig. I didn't mean it that way. no offence taken, i can't ID a fox correctly at 300 yds on the lamp either hence one reason why i am considering a hornet or .222 as a second gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.