fox shooting

[Tom Robinson]

what sort of range would a 17hmr and a 22lr take down a fox ?

[ss12]

not sure about the HMR but for a .22lr I think it's about 50yd max.

 

ss12

[kip270]

Do a search, as this sublect has been done so many times, and tends to cause heated debates.

 

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...s+with+a+%5C.22

[JohnGalway]

Here are my own personal views.

 

I own a .22lr, I have brain shot foxes out to 80 yards with Eley subs (bullet punched through the skull, destroyed part of the brain and retained enough power to exist the skull the other side - verified by the research student that particular fox went to). I used Eley subs as they are the most accurate hunting round in my rifle. I wouldn't shoot at a fox outside of 100 yards (in very very good weather conditions, that is calm or very light breeze) with my .22lr.

 

That's my own view based on what I can do with my own rifle, half inch groups at 60 yards, sub inch to inch at 100 yards.

 

I've shot HMR and wouldn't go outside 100 yards with that either. Not shot fox with it, just greycrows and magpies. I would also pick a brain shot every time with the HMR, just like the .22lr.

 

Shot placement will be the most critical factor with these type of rifles. More power, such as using HV rounds in a .22 will mean nothing if they're not accurate (and I've always found them less accurate than subs), it's getting the lead to go where you want it that is the be all and end all of it.

 

My advice would be to get a more powerful rifle for dedicated foxing, rimfires aren't really the right rifles to use IMO. Failing that I'd say practice, practice and practice some more on paper at various ranges and with various rounds to find the round your rifle likes best and build up your skills.

[Mungler]

Essex Plod won't allow rimfire for foxes. I asked and was told to get .223 as well as rimfire.

[magman]

Essex Plod won't allow rimfire for foxes. I asked and was told to get .223 as well as rimfire.

 

 

same here so have shot 7 foxes with the 12

[chunk]

Essex Plod won't allow rimfire for foxes. I asked and was told to get .223 as well as rimfire.

 

Jammy. When i wanted .223 Hants firearms said they were recomending HMR as a fox round , and in fact plenty of foxes were shot with .22 subs so i didnt need .223. This was at first application a few years ago so they might have been putting me off, and the situation different.

 

Returning to the question and in the absence of centrefire, i headshoot foxes with .22 subs to about 40yds. Had a few cubs this summer calling them into range easy enough doing this.

HMR out to 100yds using 20gn xtp`s. The XTP holds together like a small deer bullet so retains its energy for a chest shot. Unlike 17gn which can shatter leaving a nasty shallow wound. I go for chestshots with the XTP`s unless really close, a foxes head moves around too much. One jawshot fox is enough for anyone.

[tikkamark]

My advice would be to get a more powerful rifle for dedicated foxing, rimfires aren't really the right rifles to use

I agree with john get a centerfire for foxing a hell of a lot more energy to do the job .17hmr was never designed to kill animals the size of an adult fox for cubs the hmr does the job fairly well but i have seen to many foxes run after good solid hits to the chest with the hmr

[deadeye ive]

My advice would be to get a more powerful rifle for dedicated foxing, rimfires aren't really the right rifles to use

I agree with john get a centerfire for foxing a hell of a lot more energy to do the job .17hmr was never designed to kill animals the size of an adult fox for cubs the hmr does the job fairly well but i have seen to many foxes run after good solid hits to the chest with the hmr

[pin]

I'd not take anything past 70, and only if there was a really good shot on. The little pill packs enough wallop at that range and under but you have to put it in exactly the right place.

 

Much past 100 I can't say I am confident the thing expands properly every time in which case it probably ain't going to get it done.

 

Capable for the odd opportunity if it presents itself, if you do any dedicated foxing then think .22hornet / 22-250 / .223 or bigger.

[Ballie]

I don't own a 22lr anymore because I find the 17hmr does all that my old 22lr done and more (all be it not as quitely) I use my 17hmr all the time and I have shot a foxes with it but I would not go out foxing with a 17hmr. Its alright for the odd time one walks into your sights at up to 150 (with no wind) but if you want to start lamping get yourself a centre fire. .223 .22-250 or .243 its up to you.

[loopy bunny blaster]

the only 2 fox's ive ever shot were with a .22lr at about 60 and 75 yards with a smack to the brain box. they didn't twitch a muscle , but the guy i was shooting with hit one with his .222 and it was a much more controlled kill.

[kdubya]

be carefull with this, if your ticket states "fox" for .22 or .17 hmr( never seen anyones ticket worded for fox with .22 rimmie)

then fair enough, if not dont shoot, my ticket only allows me to shoot fox with my .243 I also asked for my .17 hmr to include fox as I know it does the job, but was refused and offered a .17 remmie which I did not want, so as said make sure you CAN shoot, as police quidelines consider .22 rimmie as unsuitable for fox?

cheers KW

 

 

[markm]

shot 3 cubs a couple of months ago with .17 hmr, one in the throat face one, one in the head through the mouth and one in the chest. first 2 at 75 - 100 yards dropped straight down, the last at 50 yards dead cent but it went down but not dead. lets just say that a CF would of gutted it with the third shot and would not of even twitched so unless you can head shoot 100% don't even think about it.

 

With a .22 I would only shoot if desperate to get rid of them, I would rather leave them and come back the next day and same time with the .243.

[tulkyuk]

i have been shooting rabbits on a golf course and have seen a couple of foxes (its not suitable to use my 243 there) so i asked my FAO about shooting them with the smaller calibres and he told me just last week, 'if you see a fox while out shooting with your 17HMR, then we would allow you to shoot it without any reprisals',

That was straight from the horses mouth, so you may just have to ask them for approval

[kdubya]

i have been shooting rabbits on a golf course and have seen a couple of foxes (its not suitable to use my 243 there) so i asked my FAO about shooting them with the smaller calibres and he told me just last week, 'if you see a fox while out shooting with your 17HMR, then we would allow you to shoot it without any reprisals',

That was straight from the horses mouth, so you may just have to ask them for approval

 

unfortunately the horses mouth would mean sweet fa should it ever come before the man with the wig, if you aint got it in writing DONT do it

cheers KW

[chunk]

i have been shooting rabbits on a golf course and have seen a couple of foxes (its not suitable to use my 243 there) so i asked my FAO about shooting them with the smaller calibres and he told me just last week, 'if you see a fox while out shooting with your 17HMR, then we would allow you to shoot it without any reprisals',

That was straight from the horses mouth, so you may just have to ask them for approval

 

unfortunately the horses mouth would mean sweet fa should it ever come before the man with the wig, if you aint got it in writing DONT do it

cheers KW

 

Yep. If it all went up $h!t creek, you can bet your FEO came up with something like "what!me?no i didnt say anything like that."

[Tom Robinson]

thanks for all of the comments, i think i will go for something bigger