Chrissmith0881 Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 (edited) I do realise this has probably been done lots before just can't find much on it. Thinking of putting in for variation for one of these rifles for foxing only have rimfires at min. Was just wondering which people think is the better calibre? I know ammo easier to get for 223 but taking that out which would people have and why? Edited January 7, 2015 by Chrissmith0881 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 There's allot of history on this very question. If your in favour of one in particular then get that. It's really personal choice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshMike Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Both shoot well, lots of arguments for each calibre. I had a .223 for many years (swapped for a .243) and it was a great foxing rifle. I have a number of friends who would swear by their .22-250. If I had to choose I would go for the .22-250. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissmith0881 Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 That is a brilliant answer welshmike thanks for your opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I had a 222 but replaced it with a 22/250. Better in x-winds in my opinion. I wouldn't swap back. Lovely gun that you can point and forget out to about 230 yards if zeroed right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 22-250 for me all the way, **** the expense ,always been a big fan. logic would tell you to buy the 223,ammo cheaper to buy, reload and does the same job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I had a 223, then a 22-250, and then back to a 223. Not much difference between them. In fact no difference whatsoever if you are shooting at less than 200 yards. Beyond that the 22-250 has a slight edge. Not many foxes are shot at more than 200 yards, especially at night, when most foxes are shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Both shoot well, lots of arguments for each calibre. I had a .223 for many years (swapped for a .243) and it was a great foxing rifle. I have a number of friends who would swear by their .22-250. If I had to choose I would go for the .22-250. +1. I used a .223 for over a year, but then bought a 22-250. Excellent caliber. Only sold it recently because my 243 was being used more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshy pete Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I shoot a 223 and have a mate with a 22-250, never really noticed a difference in practical terms, as has been said out to a couple hundred yards both are pretty much flat so unless you are going to regularly shoot long distance (we don't, most of ours would be in the 80-120 yard range) whatever you fancy The difference in ammo price for 55g v-max which i shoot is £3 per 20 more for 22-250 at dauntsey (just for an example) but unless youre overridden with fox thats not gonna hurt to bad, how many will you use? Both stocked of the shelf locally for us, probably more choice in 223 but once youve found load you and your gun like stick with it anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 22.250 everytime but a .243 is better ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 You have to look at the ammo supply situation in your area really.That could be a big part of the decision made for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangon Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Ive had amongst others a 223 and a 22-250, The 22-250 (Ill just call it the Fox Splitter) as it just chops them in two is a cracking round just point and shout out to 200 and goodnight Mr Fox. The 223 is obviously not as terminal and still drops them big time. The job gets done with both. The only difference really is the noise, The 22-250 is a good bit louder plus a wee bit of recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 223 for me with a slow twist maxed out on 40grainers for me. Once you get 4000 or more you can have some fun beyond 300yds, that is a long way for me now. Buddy shoots a 250 and it is brill. Think he gets 4100fps. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I shot a .220 swift .... now that was a fox rifle And a half 55 grn at 1800 + ft lbs and as flat as a laser. However after 4 yrs and my 3rd border barrel i went for a .223 which was fine for about 3 weeks . didn't really like it . Ended up getting a sako 75 in .22.250 . Personally i feel the .22.250 is the ultimate dedicated fox calibre . As for the .243 yeah it does the job .but its no .22.250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissmith0881 Posted January 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Just the rifle I have been looking at also Steve sako 75 I take it your happy with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I think that a lot of the popularity for the .223 comes from the fact that a well known fox shooting writer prefers this calibre and promotes it in his articles. While I agree that it is a good fox round I have had both and think the 22-250 has the edge (it may be a confidence thing) and apart from noise considerations I can see no reason to choose a .223. The cost savings on ammo/reloading are also better for .223 but unless you are using a lot of ammo it's not really worth worrying about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 I shot a .220 swift .... now that was a fox rifle And a half 55 grn at 1800 + ft lbs and as flat as a laser. However after 4 yrs and my 3rd border barrel i went for a .223 which was fine for about 3 weeks . didn't really like it . Ended up getting a sako 75 in .22.250 . Personally i feel the .22.250 is the ultimate dedicated fox calibre . As for the .243 yeah it does the job .but its no .22.250 It is if you use 56 grain vmax..... Just makes a bigger hole! With this choice I'd go for the noisier and faster round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Chris get your butt to Catton rifle sport its normally last week in February, you, are welcome to have a go with mine. That will give you idea's. It could do some damage to your wallet though lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Always nice to see the fox drop though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hambone Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 It is if you use 56 grain vmax..... Just makes a bigger hole! With this choice I'd go for the noisier and faster round I would still go for a 22-250 over a .243 as a dedicated fox gun (I have both) and would choose either over a .223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stevo Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 It is if you use 56 grain vmax..... Just makes a bigger hole! With this choice I'd go for the noisier and faster round Hmmm imo the .243 is a bit boring . I have .243 Ackley imp . Now that can be fun if you want to run it flat out . But if i was to start foxing again. My dream calibe would be the .220 swift all day long . Balisticly out to 250 yrds theres nowt that can touch it . Like i say thats just my opinion . There all only as good as the person shooting it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Always nice to see the fox drop though I watch them drop when I shoot them, and rabbits pigeons, magpies, crow's no problem. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatGun Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Without getting into ammo costs here's my opinion. To be honest a good fox shooter may shoot 200 foxes a year. The difference in cost between the .223 and .22-250 rounds would be negligible to be honest based on that amount. I have used a 223 with 40 grain v max for over 5 years now and regularly take foxes from 150-250 yards without issue. Put the round in the right place and the fox drops. It's also good for head shooting rabbits past rimfire distances and corvids etc as the rounds don't use much powder and cause as muchthroat erosion etc,and barrel life isn't as much an issue as it would be with a .22-250. Personally I'd look at a .243 if your considering more energy/ velocity as a .243 will handle bullets from around 55- 100 grain depending on the twist where as the .22-250 is much less versatile. The .243 is compatible to the .22-250 in terms of kick and noise and muzzle flash but can shoot faster and flatter with 50-55 grain rounds. I tend to use the .243 with 58/75 grain bullets when it's a bit windy or I'm planning on shooting from the truck roof but most of the time I always opt for the .223 as its much quieter and you always see your quarry drop. The 75s are used when I'm going stalking first before foxing as I find them great on roe and fox. Unless your shooting past 200 yards on a regular basis I'd go .223 If your shooting past that on a regular basis and considering a .22-250 I'd just go a step up and get the .243 instead. There's no rights or wrongs, it all boils down to personal preference and what your confident with. The .22-250 is a good round, no doubt about that. it hits harder than the .223 and shoots flatter....I just think that if a .223 isn't enough then a .243 has much more to offer over a .22-250. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Without getting into ammo costs here's my opinion. To be honest a good fox shooter may shoot 200 foxes a year. The difference in cost between the .223 and .22-250 rounds would be negligible to be honest based on that amount. I have used a 223 with 40 grain v max for over 5 years now and regularly take foxes from 150-250 yards without issue. Put the round in the right place and the fox drops. It's also good for head shooting rabbits past rimfire distances and corvids etc as the rounds don't use much powder and cause as muchthroat erosion etc,and barrel life isn't as much an issue as it would be with a .22-250. Personally I'd look at a .243 if your considering more energy/ velocity as a .243 will handle bullets from around 55- 100 grain depending on the twist where as the .22-250 is much less versatile. The .243 is compatible to the .22-250 in terms of kick and noise and muzzle flash but can shoot faster and flatter with 50-55 grain rounds. I tend to use the .243 with 58/75 grain bullets when it's a bit windy or I'm planning on shooting from the truck roof but most of the time I always opt for the .223 as its much quieter and you always see your quarry drop. The 75s are used when I'm going stalking first before foxing as I find them great on roe and fox. Unless your shooting past 200 yards on a regular basis I'd go .223 If your shooting past that on a regular basis and considering a .22-250 I'd just go a step up and get the .243 instead. There's no rights or wrongs, it all boils down to personal preference and what your confident with. The .22-250 is a good round, no doubt about that. it hits harder than the .223 and shoots flatter....I just think that if a .223 isn't enough then a .243 has much more to offer over a .22-250. Concisely sums it all up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted January 7, 2015 Report Share Posted January 7, 2015 Ah, but the question was 223 or .22/250. 243 wasn't mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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