lakeside1000 Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 (edited) hi all, Im a pigeon shooter first and last but on one of my permissions the farmer hates foxes with a vengence, he has asked me to shoot any I see on his land ( if I can get close enough ), problem is will a 12 bore do the job and what cartridge is best, Im a fair shot but do not normally shoot at such large animals, Ive already had a large dog fox pass within 40 yards of my hide but only had pigeon 6's so just watched him walk off into the distance. I will not risk maiming any animal, so I have to be sure the gun and shot will cleanly kill, all comments welcomed and respected. Edited February 22, 2013 by lakeside1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 Oh yes a 12 bore shotgun will certainly kill a fox, I always carry a couple of S.S.G. Cartridges for such an occaision! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escortmagnum999 Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 i prefer cartridges with 1s or 3s in 42 gram. Ideally get as close as you can with a fairly tight choke. If you can find an active earth, sit close by in the early morning, foxes are far less wary when there bellys are full. Failing that you can call them during day light hours if you have some decent cover on your permission. Iv never had much luck calling foxes to a shotgun at night but it could be worth a go. Im not sure how good you are at judging range but i would limit all shots to 30 yards and aim to get most of the pattern in the front end of charlie, hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside1000 Posted February 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 thanks, I dont think I will be out hunting them , just having the means to stop them if I happen to get the chance while im after pigeons, that will satisfy the farmer , the fox and deer seem to be very confident on this farm, they have not been hunted for some time , I was just walking the boundery line this afternoon and came within 30 yards of 3 roe deer who just watched me for a few moments before moving away to a safe distance, the fox are here because the farm is overrun with rabbits, which is one of the reasons the farmer has brought me in, so looks like I have a busy summer ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu nesling Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 36/42gm of 3's or a big load of 1's. problem is the pattern fails before anything else so you need to keep to a sensible size shot. ie not too big and a good bit of choke. pattern a few and you will see the max range and when big holes appear in the pattern. but 50g of 1's at 30 yards in 1/2 choke will stop a fox dead in its tracks as long as you do your part. 36/42gm of 3's in a lighter gun 50g 1's in a heavy gun....job done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPER Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 I use 42g 1's in my S/A. Last time I used them it fired the first round ejected the case plus the second full shell and loaded the third all in a split second! That was through 3/4 choke so I'll go more open next time. But keep within 30 yards or so and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ghost Posted February 23, 2013 Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 Hi, I am sure you would want to do what is right. I have shot my fair share of Fox in the past with a shotgun for like minded farmers. On PW you will have no shortage of shooters who will take a rifle out, at night....and get rid of his Fox problem. If I had this problem I would ask for somene from PW to get the job done. I was recently out with some lads on a Fox shoot, they take some knocking back and tend not to give in.....they were true hunters and did a great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilberts1989 Posted February 23, 2013 Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 (edited) I took my first fox down the other day while I was sat in a hide, sniffed a flapper 15 yard away from me, didn't have a clue i was there and then turned to run when I stood up to take the shot. 30grm of 6 killed him cleanly With improved cylinder choke Edited February 23, 2013 by Gilberts1989 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pg123 Posted February 23, 2013 Report Share Posted February 23, 2013 42g / no 3 will do the job at sensible ranges. Use a squeaker to bring the fox close in. Give it both barrels to be sure of a quick kill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim c Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 if you ever want a hand with the rabbits or the fox give me a shout mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Just buy a box of number 1 lead try them for pattern at various ranges out to 40yds then make your own mind up about range and lethality. keep them warm and dry and pop a pair in your breast pocket say when ever you venture out, prob. last you years think of a fox as double an adult hare and you get the idea, twice the shot size you might use on the Hare at any given range (rough guide only). Don't fret appropriately loaded a shot to the ribcage on neck will be very final if your not pushing the ranges past your pattern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Croc Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Shot a few with the lamp and shotgun, get a squealer/squeaker and get out and have ago Have called them up to within 10yds at night, even managed one in daytime from around 1/2 a mile away to 20 yds If they haven't been shot at on your ground, they shouldn't (famous last words) be too difficult to call in to shotgun range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarge Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 (edited) I have shot several foxes with shotguns. I use 3" magnums ,50grms, BB's and 1/2 choke. Probably overkill but better to get a clean kill. All where called up in the day time, one to within 10 yards! Edited March 10, 2013 by sarge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicholas Bottoms Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 I've shot fox with a 12 bore but have only ever had 29grm 6's on me so it took 3 of them to bring it down, in all fairness though by the time I had shouldered the gun it was running away so a side shot or head shot would probably have been easier! If you can get some S.S.G Cartridges then do so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 The fox will fall to a 12g very easily with the right cart at the right distance! I seldom use the 12g for fox anymore but BB-3 works as a "GENERAL" cart. Bigger carts such as SSG and SG can work but with the SG in particular it is conceivable that a fox could walk clean through the pattern at 40 yards! Never even seen let alone used a LG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Oh yes a 12 bore shotgun will certainly kill a fox, I always carry a couple of S.S.G. Cartridges for such an occaision! ...... If you can get some S.S.G Cartridges then do so! No please don`t get sg/ssg`s they tend not to pattern well and even worse front on. As others have said 3`s for close work and 1-BB`s for longer range, 3 1/2" chambers and you may add a few more yards and if you have the right cart, then a few more if it is a buffered load of BB`s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 for general sporting, 42g BB should be suitable. infact, that is the prefered everyday load. as for SG shotsize, choking the hell out of those can cause more problems to patterns. if i was to go out dedicated to foxes, then 42g BB or 3" #4buckshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 I prefer 1's or 3's as a fox load:seem a good trade off of energy vs pattern but to be honest I've shot most with 5's or 4's (short range) purely because I was intent on shooting rabbits when the opportunity cropped up.I would normally prefer rifle for fox but shotgun can clearly be the better tool in certain circumstances & very effective if used within its sensible range limits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00buck Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 I used. BB. or. AAA as a rule With a 12g 32/36 gram But have used SSG in thick cover You can call them in close sometimes Also shot them with the hushpower when out lamping With the 20g I all ways got 2 or 3 bb. In my pocket 28gram 20g 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.