Dilemma on small rifle for muntjac and fox

[malkiserow]

I am thinking of a new rifle specifically for fox and Muntjac. Small, light and short.

 

I have large deer covered with a bigger calibre.

 

Legally we start at .222 for the Muntjac but is this Calibre really up to the job ? I shoot mostly sub 200 metres and the vast majority are sub 100 metres.

 

I should consider .223, 22.250 25.06 and .243 I suppose ...maybe others?

 

What is your experience on a small CF cartridge for Muntjac ( minimising meat damage )and fox( maximising damage) ? Ideally I want just one load. I do reload.

[fenboy]

I am sure a .222 would be fine for Muntjac , have a word with Colin lad on here , I am pretty sure he uses one for CWD

[steve_b_wales]

I suggest either a 22-250 or a .243. The .243 can be used for bigger deer as well as Muntjac.

[Underdog]

222 is perfect for your needs.

Owned three over a 10or more year period and would have another tomorrow.

Forget just how many roe they have took.

Must be hundreds of fox's.

Don't go off loading data. In a strong action it gets very close to 223! (If one needs to of course ).

[welshwarrior]

222 is a good round used to be the bench rest shooter choice. More rgb capable on fox muntie and roe.

[Dunkield]

I don't shoot many foxes but I have shot quite a few muntjac over the last few years. I use a .223 and much prefer shooting them with that than the 6.5.

The dedicated fox shooters I know all seem to shoot .222 but as Fister says there isn't a lot to choose between the two. They use NV so don't tend to take massively long shots.

I went for the .223 because at the time you could buy AE hollow point ammo off the shelf for about £8 a box, if it wasn't for that I may well have gone down the .222 route. Without getting into 'that' discussion all over again I use 52grn Amax, all but one of about 50 muntjac have dropped on the spot, the one that didn't ran about 10 yards, and that was down to me not the gun/round. Meat damage is minimal with heart/lung shots other than the immediate area of course.

[malkiserow]

Thanks guys

 

What twist rate, barrel length, bullets and reloading powders have proved a winning combination for you?

 

Are there any issues about stabilising bullets if barrel lengths re too short on a .222 ?

[Footu]

I went 243 for fox and fallow. 80 grain happy out to 200meters on fox very accurate and no runners yet, 7 foxes in.

[Underdog]

I used bullets from 40-55 in my 222's.

H322& bl-c2 are my faves but rl7 is brill too.

I had no camera in those days :-(

[fruity]

.222 is a lovely rifle , I don't use it a huge amount but would never be without it

[Bewsher500]

I have a 19-20" .222 BRNO fox with a 1:14" twist barrel (as above mine is pitted to hell and looks dreadful inside! still shoots 1/2" if I do my bit!)

It is my go-to Roe rifle

I have taken roe out to 200yds without runners, drops them clean

 

have used all the usual 50-55gr loads in PPU, Sako, as well as 50-52gr V/Amax

 

hands loads were significantly more accurate than factory

 

My current deer load is 20.6gr N133 under a 60gr Hornady SP ("Spire Point" marketed as a varmint round but only due to calibre, it is actually a soft point and exits with clean entry and wound channel, minimal carcase damage, will pass clean through both shoulders when required)

 

a 60gr doing 3000fps trumps the 50gr for downrange energy and windage at almost any range.

 

I experimented with this as the theory says a 1:14 wont stabilise over 55gr

anything will stabilise if you find the sweet spot for distance and velocity

 

see here for a write up and results

http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/60376-heavy-for-calibre-bullets-in-222?highlight=heavy+calibre+60gr+.222

 

 

I like the ,222 so much I have just acquired a 1:12 18" barrelled single shot "Handi rifle" in .22 hornet that I will be rechambering shortly.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Bewsher500

[wymberley]

 

 

 

I like the ,222 so much I have just acquired a 1:12 18" barrelled single shot "Handi rifle" in .22 hornet that I will be rechambering shortly.

Sounds like a good plan. Just as well you didn't look at Gun Trader, Rifles, Falling Block, 22 Hornet - could have got expensive!

[Underdog]

I have a 19-20" .222 BRNO fox with a 1:14" twist barrel (as above mine is pitted to hell and looks dreadful inside! still shoots 1/2" if I do my bit!)

It is my go-to Roe rifle

I have taken roe out to 200yds without runners, drops them clean

 

have used all the usual 50-55gr loads in PPU, Sako, as well as 50-52gr V/Amax

 

hands loads were significantly more accurate than factory

 

My current deer load is 20.6gr N133 under a 60gr Hornady SP ("Spire Point" marketed as a varmint round but only due to calibre, it is actually a soft point and exits with clean entry and wound channel, minimal carcase damage, will pass clean through both shoulders when required)

 

a 60gr doing 3000fps trumps the 50gr for downrange energy and windage at almost any range.

 

I experimented with this as the theory says a 1:14 wont stabilise over 55gr

anything will stabilise if you find the sweet spot for distance and velocity

 

see here for a write up and results

http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/showthread.php/60376-heavy-for-calibre-bullets-in-222?highlight=heavy+calibre+60gr+.222

 

 

I like the ,222 so much I have just acquired a 1:12 18" barrelled single shot "Handi rifle" in .22 hornet that I will be rechambering shortly.

Spot on :-).

Mildly jealous of the handi rifle! :-)

Edited April 9, 2015 by Underdog

[Bewsher500]

got my grubby mitts on it last week

weighs more than I expected but still produces a sub 6lb rifle with a scope!

 

reamer on its way too.

birthday present to myself

[Underdog]

got my grubby mitts on it last week

weighs more than I expected but still produces a sub 6lb rifle with a scope!

 

reamer on its way too.

birthday present to myself

Keep us posted please. Always fancied one in 45/70!

[welshwarrior]

Bewsher that sounds rubbish no use for anything at post it down to me an Ill destroy it for you FOC. 😋

[malkiserow]

Bewsher that sounds rubbish no use for anything at post it down to me an Ill destroy it for you FOC.

 

 

Oi, I asked the .222 question, so I will destroy it with a few thousand rounds

[old man]

Personally never used the .222 on Munties, plenty have?

 

I much prefer the .308 on the basis that they are tough little beauts and deserve my best effort.

[malkiserow]

Personally never used the .222 on Munties, plenty have?

 

I much prefer the .308 on the basis that they are tough little beauts and deserve my best effort.

 

Blimey, they must be tougher in your neck of woods,.....

[colin lad]

Malc i dropped a munty yesterday eve with my .222 at about 120 yards dropped on the spot love it and as i don't shoot anything bigger than muntjac and cwd i won't be bothering with any bigger calibre, it will take fox's out to 2-250 no probs and as most of my work is under 100 it's ideal,

 

if your ever passing this way come and have a play with it you won't be disappointed

 

colin

[Dekers]

The small deer regs require 1000ft lb etc etc.

 

Poachers have been knocking down all species of deer with .22lr for more years than I have been alive.

 

Anything that meets the minimum small deer regs is more than capable!

 

[Dekers]

Personally never used the .222 on Munties, plenty have?

 

I much prefer the .308 on the basis that they are tough little beauts and deserve my best effort.

 

My best effort with a .22CF is more than adequate!

[old man]

Dekers, very pleased for you.

[Tedly47]

Bought a cz .222 in January this year brand new.... Just put A s&b 8x56 and a mod on it.... I only need it for foxes and could of gone for other calibre's however I was brought up on a farm and everybody I knew shot .222 for Fox, one lad was called Gary and he shot 1000s over the years, he was also a awesome shot... If it was good enough 30 years ago I thought it would be good enough for me now.....

 

Tedly.

[al4x]

You aren't really going to get what you want in one load, if you want a decent round for muntjac but to cause maximum damage on foxes.

I've been out to a fair few that have run and that's with all sorts it's where you hit them rather than what with. Personally I ise .243 but that's because I can shoot any deer and it's about the best fox caliber going.