spandit Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 (edited) Took my .223 out on a new permission tonight as was after fox and hoping for muntjac. Didn't see either and my mate (who apparently did see a fox) wanted to call it a night after not bagging any rabbits with his .22LR. I'd been watching a group of about 5 bunnies but the light was getting so dim, I had to lamp them. The shot echoed around for miles, it seems, which must have ****** a few people off ::o The rabbit was pretty messed up but for pest control the round (55gr VMax) was certainly effective. Thinking it was a bit overkill for a bunny and noisy too. Wondered if anyone else uses theirs as a varmint gun, which seems to be the predominant use in the States? Edited May 16, 2016 by spandit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 I use my 17 on the bunnies, effective at good range and not as loud. Id say 223 is a Little over the top but it definitely does the job and you're within your rights to use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I use the .223 to get rabbit to bait fox, but there is no meat value left after a 55g soft point hits it. Also expensive if you have multiple rabbits to remove and as you say very noisy if you are near habitation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sle Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I use it sometimes, don't get many runners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I use my 17 on the bunnies, effective at good range and not as loud. Id say 223 is a Little over the top but it definitely does the job and you're within your rights to use it Think I'll take the HMR next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 It makes as good a rabbit gun as any out to 200 yards even more if you get the speed down to under 3000 fps and select a slightly less frangible bullet ( speaking in terms of stuff worth eating) Other than that it just kills them to much to bother Lots of download info on the Web for the Americans also like to shoot edibles in season I am a firm believer in the smaller centrefire for rabbits beyond the 22 rf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I use my 223 and 22.250 on rabbits if I get bored waiting for a fox.only good for bait though.had a few foxs after I have shot rabbits and left them out only to have a fox trot in to pick them up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I can't imagine there's much left to pick up. And no, I'd never consider it a a rabbiting gun, too many houses within half a mile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Is the .223 moderated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Is the .223 moderated? Yes. Wildcat mod - still wouldn't call it whisper quiet, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutiny Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I use mine occasionally for rabbits etc, I prefer it to the HMR to be honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 I have an ASE mod on mine and I wouldn't have said it is <that> much louder than an HMR, but for built up areas the .22lr is tool of choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 It's not unbearably loud but at night when everything is very still & quiet, even an HMR would seem deafening. Great shame that the mod ruins the balance of an otherwise light rifle. I think next time I use it I'll fit the bipod although shooting from quad sticks is pretty stable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 The first time I was lamping with a 223 moderated i coulnt belive how quiet it was. When I fitted the t 12 scout mae on my hornet I though why fid I ever bother with hmr Been trying to pick up the courage to shorten the hornet back for a few years so I might just put some lead in the butt to take away any front end tip All the common 22 cf are great bunny guns Perhaps not the swift as the case is a bit big for good lower power loads? The first time I was lamping with a 223 moderated i coulnt belive how quiet it was. When I fitted the t 12 scout mae on my hornet I though why fid I ever bother with hmr Been trying to pick up the courage to shorten the hornet back for a few years so I might just put some lead in the butt to take away any front end tip All the common 22 cf are great bunny guns Perhaps not the swift as the case is a bit big for good lower power loads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 ive a 223 but also a .22lr ,17hmr i see as this when im out with .22 its rabbits and short range fox,17 hmr rabbits and medium range fox ,223 fox short to long , rabbits from short to long and its not much more cost for me than a hmr round as i home load, granted if there not headshots there fit only for fox bait or the larsen trap and find mine lot quieter than hmr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted May 19, 2016 Report Share Posted May 19, 2016 There can be very few situations where a .223 is actually first choice on bunnies, but I have used mine on a few occasions for the job. As far as I can recall it was only ever when after something else and bunny turned up. .223 V-Max V rabbit is a very unequal contest, I have one picture in particular which shows how unequal it really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted May 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2016 .223 V-Max V rabbit is a very unequal contest, I have one picture in particular which shows how unequal it really is. I don't need to see it. Turning one into a glove puppet myself was sufficient evidence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted May 20, 2016 Report Share Posted May 20, 2016 use a ASE on my .222 and shoot quite a lot of rabbits with it not a great deal of difference noise wise to the hmr, and reloading it ain't much dearer than the hmr to load, colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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