shawn9914 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Hi All I am going to be asking for a variation to my FAC so I can start and do some fox shooting could any members suggest what calibre and make / model of gun I would be best going for, I was thinking of a .223 but welcome your thoughts and experience cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) Hi Shawn. Any of the .22 CF calibres are good enough for Fox Control. My mate Eccles on here shoots .223 and loves it and I use a .22-250 on Foxes and love mine. It's up to you mate. If your going to shoot Deer as well in the near future then I would say go for a .243 as it can do both Fox and Deer. I use a Tikka T3 .22-250 rifle and IMO is one of the best mass produced rifles ever made. ATVB. Edited December 18, 2013 by bullet boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Hi All I am going to be asking for a variation to my FAC so I can start and do some fox shooting could any members suggest what calibre and make / model of gun I would be best going for, I was thinking of a .223 but welcome your thoughts and experience cheers What distances, what circumstances? I do more fox close in people back gardens, rimfires are plenty, if you are pushing the distances you need to think of something bigger. There isn't an ideal fox rifle/calibre, only an ideal one for the situation you are in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snipers eye Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 What distances, what circumstances? I do more fox close in people back gardens, rimfires are plenty, if you are pushing the distances you need to think of something bigger. There isn't an ideal fox rifle/calibre, only an ideal one for the situation you are in! +1,i use a hmr,have lost count of the many many foxes i have shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Like said depends on circumstances. The centrefire rifles for fox range from .22 Hornet up to .243 win generally. .223 rem will generally do all anyone asks and an excellent choice though. Forget the rimfires unless you are shooting them in gardens and the like a heavy 12 ga load can do a lot of foxes and some use nothing else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn9914 Posted December 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) thanks everyone for the replies, one other thing is some people shoot foxes at close range with a shotgun when doing this what cartridges do they use and do the cartridges then turn the shotgun into a FAC rated shotgun thanks again Edited December 18, 2013 by shawn9914 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Shawn, 223 or any other 22 cf will suffice or a 20 if you fancy something different. Have you had experience with cf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 What do I use as a foxing rifle.................well, depending on where and when .22rf, .17HMR, .17H, .222, .204R or .243. What's my favorite.............204 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 thanks everyone for the replies, one other thing is some people shoot foxes at close range with a shotgun when doing this what cartridges do they use and do the cartridges then turn the shotgun into a FAC rated shotgun thanks again No they don't 99.9% use from a number 3 to bb shot and a Std 3" shell. I prefer around 40grm of number 1 these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 No they don't 99.9% use from a number 3 to bb shot and a Std 3" shell. I prefer around 40grm of number 1 these days Agree with the percentage using 3 to BB but there won't be that high a percentage using 3" cartridges. I personally use 3" (50grm BB's) if I'm actually going out specifically for foxes but there will be on hell of a lot shot with 2 and 3/4". If I was to look back over the years (even this one) I have probably had as many foxes when I haven't had a gun chambered in 3" as I have using a 3" chambered gun. I always keep a handful of 2 and 3/4" handy so if needed they are to hand. Not everyone who shoots foxes has 3" chambers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I have shot 87 this year with the .243 from distance's out to 300 yards, the .22 c/f will do that, but I find the 75 grain round has a lot behind it out at 300... Oh and one with the Browning 325.. TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I think a lot will have been shot with normal game loads 30 -36g no 5&6. It drops them fine I prefer 34g no4 or 3 but if Charlie walks past close he get my normal load of 30g 5s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 A lot depends on circumstances - a dedicated gun or the opportunist shot.........and on distance. I have used many things to shoot foxes but basically anything with powder in except supermodels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I think a lot will have been shot with normal game loads 30 -36g no 5&6. It drops them fine I prefer 34g no4 or 3 but if Charlie walks past close he get my normal load of 30g 5s. To be fair if your "close enough" a 28 grm load of 7 1/2 will kill the life out of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Agree with the percentage using 3 to BB but there won't be that high a percentage using 3" cartridges. I personally use 3" (50grm BB's) if I'm actually going out specifically for foxes but there will be on hell of a lot shot with 2 and 3/4". If I was to look back over the years (even this one) I have probably had as many foxes when I haven't had a gun chambered in 3" as I have using a 3" chambered gun. I always keep a handful of 2 and 3/4" handy so if needed they are to hand. Not everyone who shoots foxes has 3" chambers. I think those that go out "specifically for fox" with shotgun normally do hold a 3" gun often a 3 1/2" even but the latter I have come to the conclusion that's its practically nil gain. 2 3/4" are still just fine, its really the load more than the chamber length. One guy I know uses his old 2 1/2" but he is finding it hell to get shells for in suitable shot sizes and refuses to buy a full box of 250! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I still have a few shells here I got for Fox. 2 boxes of mammoth BB and a handfull of #3. I have plenty of #1 shot to reload for Fox too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 I still have a few shells here I got for Fox. 2 boxes of mammoth BB and a handfull of #3. I have plenty of #1 shot to reload for Fox too. I like these and if I'm out with my normal game gun I use Fiochi 42grm 0's (BB's) in 2 and 3/4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 if i was off looking for fox i use to use 42g no3 in my sxs (23/4") or 3" solway magnum 50g no3 in my semi. bit limited now ive got a 20g largest i could get locally is 32g no4. i shot more with 32g no5's than anything though purely because its what i had at the time. anything under 30yrds will get dropped by most pigeon/game cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 if i was off looking for fox i use to use 42g no3 in my sxs (23/4") or 3" solway magnum 50g no3 in my semi. bit limited now ive got a 20g largest i could get locally is 32g no4. i shot more with 32g no5's than anything though purely because its what i had at the time. anything under 30yrds will get dropped by most pigeon/game cartridges. +1. A hell of a lot of foxes are shot this way. I wouldn't fancy 32grm 5's at thirty yards smacking me in the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 To be fair if your "close enough" a 28 grm load of 7 1/2 will kill the life out of them Yes and from 35 yards to 300 the 204 rem does the job very nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Yes and from 35 yards to 300 the 204 rem does the job very nicely. Can't argue with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Yes and from 35 yards to 300 the 204 rem does the job very nicely. That's true enough but you wont be welcomed on a fox drive with a rifle hounds and huntsman in front and you need to be darn good to shoot a bolted fox with a rifle. I often carry a shotgun for fox and its very useful on a lamping team to have one guy with a scatter gun background not great, running fox close fox, wounded running fox. One should never forget a massive amount of foxes are shot with the shotgun, its often the first thing I reach for. Once I called and shot a fox in my best suit and shoes after seeing it come down past the kennels on my return home, never even considered the rifle as backdrop can be poor here and lots of cover. In relation to the Question asked- Just don't forget the shotgun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 That's true enough but you wont be welcomed on a fox drive with a rifle hounds and huntsman in front and you need to be darn good to shoot a bolted fox with a rifle. I often carry a shotgun for fox and its very useful on a lamping team to have one guy with a scatter gun background not great, running fox close fox, wounded running fox. One should never forget a massive amount of foxes are shot with the shotgun, its often the first thing I reach for. Once I called and shot a fox in my best suit and shoes after seeing it come down past the kennels on my return home, never even considered the rifle as backdrop can be poor here and lots of cover. In relation to the Question asked- Just don't forget the shotgun! When I'm sitting out during cubbing I usually take shotgun and rifle when I'm waiting at earths but it's not practical/easy when I'm out lamping on my own. Like you say, on a team it's often handy to have one with you. Never mentioned or even considered using a rifle for fox drives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 When I'm sitting out during cubbing I usually take shotgun and rifle when I'm waiting at earths but it's not practical/easy when I'm out lamping on my own. Like you say, on a team it's often handy to have one with you. Never mentioned or even considered using a rifle for fox drives. Sorry who said you or the guy actually quoted (not you) did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Sorry who said you or the guy actually quoted (not you) did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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