Scaled action rifles

[njc110381]

I've got myself a new Foxing permission and I'm finding the Hornet to be a bit lacking considering some of the ranges I may need to shoot to. I'm now looking for a .223 to give me a little extra poke. I'm not sure if I'll keep the Hornet but I want something bigger either way.

 

What rifle makers produce a scaled action? I know CZ do but they're getting a bit pricey lately so I've been looking at a Browning A-Bolt. At under £500 new they're cheap but do they have a smaller action like the CZ or are they just blocked in the mag like Tikka etc do? I really like a small action for a small round!

 

Next thing I spotted which looks cool is the .22WSSM. Now, I'm thinking that may go completely against my theory of too much boom behind a .22? Are they between a .223 and .22-250 or are they really going for it? I don't want anything too mad or something that will consume barrels like I get through Big Mac's - but they do look smart!

 

I'm also thinking I need to be far enough away from a Hornet for my FEO to agree to yet another rifle. Maybe I'll sell the Hornet, but I'd like to get the new gun set up before the old one goes.

 

Some help from you guys would be great. I've had a .223 so I'm not sure I want another but at the same time deep down I know it's probably the right choice. I will home load though, so none of this "you'll never find ammo for it" business. I'll find all the ammo I need on my reloading bench!

[Alycidon]

Hornet has about 500 ft lbs of energy, your 243 about 1900-2000. 204/222/223 are around 1200 ft lbs so you have a good case for a mid range caliber. As you reload I would suggest that you look for a TAC20 (223 case necked down to 20) and load the 39 grain Sierra Blitzking, its one hell of a bullet and has now become my bullet of choice for pest control using my 20BR. Hornet is a 150 yard caliber on fox tops, over that you should have no issues getting something with longer legs authorised. But before you do ask yourself how many shots are going to be over 150 yards. Might be better to get fox put on the 243 instead, certainly cheaper.

 

A

[njc110381]

I've got AOLQ so can shoot Fox with all my rifles. It is a big step from .22H to .243, I hadn't thought of that but I have five rifles so don't know how many I can have before they get fed up with it! I want to turn the .243 into a .260Rem at some point and then I'd want to use Deer specific bullets. I prefer to use a light weight bullet for Fox so it messes them up better and reduces the chance of ricochet around the livestock.

 

I think I will probably sell the Hornet. I really do like it but having more than one .22 centrefire is a bit pointless. There is the saving in running costs if I use the Hornet on bunnies but the cost of another rifle and scope equals a lot of ammo!

 

Edit... I've been having a hard time with my Hornet recently. I had three runners last night, all off a bipod at under 100 yards. My groups are fine and I had plenty of time to take the shot so I'm thinking I've picked up a bad batch of bullets. I've never had runners with it before and I'm shooting well at the moment so very much doubt the shot wasn't on target. I think it's just time for a change to boost my confidence, especially on the longer shots as I'm turning them down now because I'm doubting my ability with it. It's not the guns fault but getting the thought out of my head is proving difficult. :(

Edited April 16, 2011 by njc110381

[Bowen20]

.223 for foxes or .22-250 both perfect I've got the .223 Howa and it's excellent all I do is lamp with it shots off top of truck or bonnet or bipod on floor if I'm walking all drop on the spot using 55 grain soft point privy partizan furthest shot was 240 yards always use range finders if they look to be a good distance away and not wanting to budge. I'd rather take my time and makesure the range is correct so I can alter my aimpoint for the shot instead of missing it and making them even more aware and harder to shoot.

[kent]

sako scaled the action in the 75 easy enough to get second hand in .222 at a better price than .223. i doubt the runners were the fault of the calibre you need to get that out of your head. it's either bad luck, higher adrenelin levels in the prey or something amiss with your load - chrono it and be sure but i doubt this is the reason. To be fair i have had good heart shot foxes run a ways with allsorts of different guns even one that i turned it's far side into one big hole at about fifteen yards with the .243. so more power is unlikely to have done much

[SPARKIE]

have ya thought about the .22-250 very good fox round.

[Rem223]

I would not recommend a 223wssm. Aside from the short barrel life you may find tracking down brass rather tricky in the future. I'm not sure if even Browning chamber for this calibre anymore, so it is likely to become an enthusiast only chambering. If it is a small action you want then either Sako or CZ. The Sako is probably the smaller of the two. I'm not really a fan of the Browning A bolt. The micro medallion is ok, but it isn't really calibre specific the way the Sako is.

[njc110381]

I have been looking at second hand options. The trouble is the prices of CZs seems to have gone through the roof recently and I could buy a new A-Bolt for a similar price to what I would get for my Hornet if I was to sell it! It looks like what they class as a short action is up to .308 size, hardly small but I guess I could get used to it!

 

I don't really know why I want a .223 over a .222. They are similar rounds and as it's been said already the trip can be picked up a lot cheaper!