welshdragon77 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Hi , ive been advised to get a bolt action.223 for foxing, and in my mind I know that would be the best option, but would a AR 15 be also suficent for foxing/? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Yes,most certainly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Most shooters in the USA use this rifle/caliber for Coyote control, although they are allowed a semi-automatic! It should suit you well for foxes. I had one many years ago, which was a .22LR, and it was fun to shoot. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie-fox Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 the caliber would be more than enough but personally i would use a bolt action... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 the caliber would be more than enough but personally i would use a bolt action... Can't get semi-auto in .223 in the UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshdragon77 Posted April 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 So as in with a bolt action u manually move the bolt to reload, hows does it work with a AR-15 /? sounds a dumb question ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 The AR-15 will be straight pull, so you will still have to operate the action manually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Nope not suitable and a terrible choice, oh no shock horror why did he say that you ask.... well it goes like this, AR15`s as you know are a straight pull rifle and you need to let the charging handle go to make sure the round is chambered properly, this action results in a massive clunking sound especially at night scaring everything for miles, i had a mini-14 in .223 and it went quickly due to the same reason. hope that helps. P.S the caliber is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 now i didnt know that i stand corrected Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 (edited) Nope not suitable and a terrible choice, oh no shock horror why did he say that you ask.... well it goes like this, AR15`s as you know are a straight pull rifle and you need to let the charging handle go to make sure the round is chambered properly, this action results in a massive clunking sound especially at night scaring everything for miles, i had a mini-14 in .223 and it went quickly due to the same reason. hope that helps. P.S the caliber is fine. I had this issue with my AR when i took it out, but it was easily over come by simply loading the chamber with a single round by hand (no magazine inserted), lowering the bolt carefully (then pushing the charging handle forward to make sure it was fully closed - mine had a cocking handle actually attached to the bolt, but if you have one with only the T-bar charging handle they normally have the forward assist mechanism which you can use for this), then putting in a magazine with a few rounds in, in case follow up shots were needed. A bit more of a carry on than with a standard bolt-action but nothing ridiculous. N.B. I wouldn't by an AR-15 AS a foxing rifle, i used to mainly use mine for target shooting but got the pest control condition added when a friend who owns a fair bit of land was having problems with foxes killing her chickens, as it was the only suitable calibre rifle i had at the time, thats what i used Edited April 23, 2012 by Breastman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 I had this issue with my AR when i took it out, but it was easily over come by simply loading the chamber with a single round by hand (no magazine inserted), lowering the bolt carefully (then pushing the charging handle forward to make sure it was fully closed - mine had a cocking handle actually attached to the bolt, but if you have one with only the T-bar charging handle they normally have the forward assist mechanism which you can use for this), then putting in a magazine with a few rounds in, in case follow up shots were needed. A bit more of a carry on than with a standard bolt-action but nothing ridiculous. Bolt action it is then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Bolt action it is then. See the edit above that i wrote at the same time you posted this. If i was buying a rifle specifically for pest control i'd buy a lightweight bolt action everytime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 It might be possible to use one, but it sounds like a lot of hassle for no gain. Unless you have a desperate desire to own one, I'd go for any normal bolt action. .223 is a good foxing round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 take a look at the Cam rotary bolt .223 if you're interested in that sort of thing - it takes AR mags etc. but had a much better rotary bolt action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay222 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 I've got a cam and it is very quick to reload and still takes the standard ar15 mags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 I had this issue with my AR when i took it out, but it was easily over come by simply loading the chamber with a single round by hand (no magazine inserted), lowering the bolt carefully (then pushing the charging handle forward to make sure it was fully closed - mine had a cocking handle actually attached to the bolt, but if you have one with only the T-bar charging handle they normally have the forward assist mechanism which you can use for this), then putting in a magazine with a few rounds in, in case follow up shots were needed. A bit more of a carry on than with a standard bolt-action but nothing ridiculous. N.B. I wouldn't by an AR-15 AS a foxing rifle, i used to mainly use mine for target shooting but got the pest control condition added when a friend who owns a fair bit of land was having problems with foxes killing her chickens, as it was the only suitable calibre rifle i had at the time, thats what i used I was talking to Robert Bucknell(who has shot one or two foxes)at a BASC evening,and he used this method for the first round in the days before CF semi's were banned(think he had an Armalite).It's not a big issue and very quick once you've done it a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat g Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 My Mini 14 (semi-auto) was a superb fox gun! Prior to the 1988 amendment act that is. Especially when i had the 30 round mag attatched . Seriously though i would stick to a coventional bolt action in 223. Its a great foxing calibre ATB, Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Do you want to be practical or look tactical, I would think a bolt action would be alot more practical in the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 (edited) Well I had a handle of a custom version a couple of years ago, lovelly for inside a truck with a cracking Giselle trigger. Its owner has the choice of several rifles for his foxes, the one that gets used most is the AR15. How often do you want a fast follow up ?, almost never. I can remember one in the last 10 years, 22LR rimfire excepted. The bull pups are nice rifles to shoot when in confined spaces, however resale value will be limited so I would probably go for a conventional bolt action myself. I would suggest AR15s etc are addictive, to handle one is to want one so be warned. A Edited April 23, 2012 by Alycidon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillyJ Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 Ive ordered an S.G.C Speedmaster, which I should hopefully get within the next two weeks. Will be used for foxing. My neighbour has one and Ive been out with him quite a few times and have never found it any bother. I think what you have to consider is whether you are going to be shooting from vehicle, when prone and general "stalking". When Ive been out with him, we have clean kills out to 450yds and that is from a vantage point where known paths are for the foxes. I cant say Id use it to walk 100 acres though! If you do look at some AR's, forget the rear charging handle ones! Its really YOUR choice! The advice is not bad advice though. Wil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 (edited) Ive ordered an S.G.C Speedmaster, which I should hopefully get within the next two weeks. Will be used for foxing. My neighbour has one and Ive been out with him quite a few times and have never found it any bother. I think what you have to consider is whether you are going to be shooting from vehicle, when prone and general "stalking". When Ive been out with him, we have clean kills out to 450yds and that is from a vantage point where known paths are for the foxes. I cant say Id use it to walk 100 acres though! If you do look at some AR's, forget the rear charging handle ones! Its really YOUR choice! The advice is not bad advice though. Wil i had a speedmaster...wish i had never sold it cautionary note...when i went to the gun shop they had to make a phone call as to whether a straight pull was classed as a bolt action mikky Edited April 25, 2012 by mikky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Are there "gook's in the wire" behind the foxes? In all seriousness the AR's I've handled and shot have been a joy - although all have been in the US and were the semi-auto versions, I guess any tactical rifle will have the good point of being hard wearing and easily maintained but really the same can be said of a synthetic bolt action rifle. Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ging125 Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Whats the cost of an AR-15 then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillyJ Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 i had a speedmaster...wish i had never sold it cautionary note...when i went to the gun shop they had to make a phone call as to whether a straight pull was classed as a bolt action mikky I just put rifle down when renewal came. I spoke to the bobby dealing with me who wasn't staying long in the job and left it as plain as I could rather than stating it is a bolt action. I'll post a few pics when I get it, have a few add one and a T8 , cost for me as I can get vat back is 1300 and that was specked up too. Wil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted April 26, 2012 Report Share Posted April 26, 2012 Whats the cost of an AR-15 then? New £800-2000++. I had a SGC Speedmaster with all the toys match barrel etc etc which was £1600, then I spent at least another grand on it getting every imaginable accessory, and that was before Magpul got big over here! They can turn into very expensive little numbers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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