Benthejockey Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 I'm a bit bored and I've only got 12 months left on my licenses so as West Mercia like to be fairly steady Im starting to consider the renewal I'll be sending in in the summer months. Who knows I might even get a renewal on time! Any way I digress! I've currently got night vision on my .17hmr that is working very well popping rabbits off. And I've got a .243 for deer and foxes and the 308 for lions and tigers also deer. I want something to sit between the .17 and the .243. When I first saw the .204 I got a bit of a yen for one but then gave myself a slap and told myself not to be such a calibre tart. My uncles got a howa 223 that's a nice little gun. He bought the whole dream it build it kit and I was very impressed with what he got. And then as I was pondering the 223 and the 204 it occurred to me that the 204 is a necked down 222 magnum. So I had a browse and 222 rifles aren't a whole lot of cash money second hand and if I fancied it howa do a 222 rifle so I could choose what ever I liked from their extensive list. I will be shooting rabbits - head shots only so hopefully they're edible, foxes, Scottish roe if the opportunity ever arose - I have got the opportunity to go to Scotland occasionally and a bit of general vermin bashing. So really boys and girls I'm just curious as to who has what and what they reckon to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmiffy Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 Have a Howa 1500 in 223 its done us proud on the foxes shot hundreds with it. Not sure why you would wanna try to head shoot rabbits with a centrefire when you have a HMR which is perfect for the job! If you cant get close enough to use that then summats wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 .222 everytime for me.It`s a classic ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benthejockey Posted January 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 I'd like to head shoot rabbits because a lot of my shooting especially at night time is done on my own on foot so I can't take two guns. I'm not after shooting rabbits on the moon through the middle of a polo mint but if I'm out and about and a rabbit pops up I'd like to be able to knock it over without turning it into a sack of jelly. I do actually like eating the bloody things. Hence the head shots. Even with the rimfire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmiffy Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 Fair point we use an 'adapted' Vitara for all our night shooting so 2 guns is no problem for us. Head shooting rabbits is always the best, if possible, regardless of calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 If you're not reloading then check what your local RFD stocks. If you are then .223 is such a popular calibre stateside that there is masses of data available. They both have their fans and do a similar job so find a rifle you like & get that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snipers eye Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) i head shoot rabbits with my rem 700 223 when on way back after a fox shoot,its great practice,but i always make sure there is a back stop,really like the 223 its a tack driver ,have a .22lr for when i want to really go after rabbits,dont shoot deer,so i have no need for any other guns. Edited January 10, 2017 by snipers eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benthejockey Posted January 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 I reload for the big guns because it's cheaper and I'm too lazy to drive to town to buy more ammo so it wouldn't kill me to reload for either after I've fired some factory ammo and got some cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savhmr Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 Either would do fine. Load the 223 heavy and slow for rabbits to minimise damage. It offers a bit more versatility than the .222 and is every bit as accurate, but if it was solely rabbit you want it for, the .222 is all the CF you really need. The 222 would do Scottish Roe and fox no problem. The .223 just allows a more extended shooting range and a wider load range due to the extra case length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmy1100 Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 ive 223 howa 1500 and find it excellent on foxes but rabbits are a mess even headshot mate has 222 for foxes and it also does the buisness but less choice of ammo unless you reload ,another mate just got 204 it also does buisness but ammo is hard to get hold of for it ,if it was my money it would be 223 all day long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 i had a t3 in 223 which was a great rifle only sold it as i was using my 243 for everything. just put in for 204 with my latest renewal going to use it as dedicated nv. but a mate i do alot of shooting with has a tikka 595 .222 and that certainly does the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdog Posted January 10, 2017 Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 (edited) 222! It will do anything a 223 will do but just that bit sweeter. Only reason 223 dominates is because it is a military cartridge. Just my opinion though. worth a watch. Edited January 10, 2017 by zipdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted January 11, 2017 Report Share Posted January 11, 2017 ask your self one question, ok mybe two first, do you reload second, will you be wanting to shoot extended ranges, even if its just paper clipping at a 1000 yards. yes you reload. perfect. the .222 will do you proud. run a 45gn soft point at around 2800 and nothing with argue. heads on rabbits will leave then just about edible. just the same for the .223 no you dont reload. best hope something like the ppu soft points shoot in .222 and you can get ammo. there is alot more ammo about in .223 no you dont want to shoot the distances. couple 100 yards is fine. either the .222 or the .223 will work just fine. yes you do want to shoot distance then the .223 with a 1:8twist barrel will work the best. 1:12 twist .223 will not handle the heavier bullets needed for the distance. same goes for the .223 with its 1:14 twist barrel. only down side of the 1:8 .223 is that you cant go light and fast with the bullets. i have had them. sold them and then gone back to them. i run a shot out cz257 in .222 that im just waiting to have rebarrels with a 1:9 twist barrel. 1:10 would have been better but not in my price range. i have a T3 with 1:12 .223 barrel. it shoots stupidly well out to 450 but at 500 the bullet is loosing it. 3900fps 40gn sbk its my go to varmint rifle. the .222 is my night rig fox/rabbit rifle dont reload then .223 do reload then welcome to the very small club of .222 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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