Dave-G Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 (edited) Is anyone using any of the smaller caliber centrefires for a mainly rabbit but occasional fox round on here? I want something that an ageing bloke with breathing problems can easily manage on foot for three or four hours - or out of the car window or sunroof. So short and light with a moderator. I've read a few bits about a new .204, a 20TAC, and a .17 fire (something) Thoughts please gentlemen. EDIT: On foot will be with lamping kit on the rifle. Edited October 27, 2008 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleabag Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Is anyone using any of the smaller caliber centrefires for a mainly rabbit but occasional fox round on here? I want something that an ageing bloke with breathing problems can easily manage on foot for three or four hours - or out of the car window or sunroof. So short and light with a moderator. I've read a few bits about a new .204, a 20TAC, and a .17 fire (something) Thoughts please gentlemen. EDIT: On foot will be with lamping kit on the rifle. There you go you old ***. try that.Take your time though, lots of deep breaths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 if it is mainly walking rabbits at night, under a lamp, I'm going to wager that most shots are under 100 yards. Without the fox requirement it's a clear winner for rimfire. Since you want centerfire I'd have to say that a hornet is going to be the best bet. Cheap to run, quiet to shoot, not overkill. A 223 might be cheaper or easier to find, but won't be as quiet. There are some great little rifles available in a hornet. If you are reloading, then the 17 AH is going to be the one. 250 yards +/- 1" or so, almost as quiet as a hornet, same rifles. Only setback is that you have to reload and it is a custom job on the barrel. thanks rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Cheers Rick. Almost everything I shoot is within 100 yards mate. Not allowed to use Rimmie for fox in Leicester force area. They will allow "downwards - not upwards" on the calibers apparently. And the police guidelines list both of those as suitable for all the quarry I'm looking at. Last page of section 13 here if anyone wants to see it: Clicky What sort of money would we be talking about for ammo in those calibers anyone please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 I have seen 223 rounds £18 for 20! Someone mentioned that get 22-250 for £24 for 20. What about a 22Hornet ? Duno how much the rounds are though. A 17 HMR Rimfire sounds like it would do all you wanted mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Good factory .223 rounds will be pushing £18-20/20 these days, but you can still get Federal American Eagles for about £8/20 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 .223 every time if you're sticking to factory rounds - the choice of rifles is very generous. If you'd homeload, look at a .222 or .22 Hornet. I would stick to a heavier, slow bullet than muck about with a .17 Rem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Dave i have some .22 hornet rounds that were £28 for 50 just bought them as i havent got round to reloading yet (reload my 223 ) When talking to Markbivvy he reckons that the hornet is cheaper to run with home loads than his HMR is... :yahoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted November 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 (edited) Big Thug - yup the HMR will do all I want it too - and has done quite often. But Leicester won't put fox against any of the rimmies - nor a WMR which my Quad could accomodate.. Dave i have some .22 hornet rounds that were £28 for 50 just bought them as i havent got round to reloading yet (reload my 223 ) When talking to Markbivvy he reckons that the hornet is cheaper to run with home loads than his HMR is... :yahoo: Blimey, very interesting news Hawkeye, thank you. I'd more or less decided to let the centrefire route drop because I mostly use HMR for my vermin control - and mostly within 100 yards anyway. Seems a bit pointless getting a C/F for the odd dozen or so fox I see around our Leicester permissions a year - and someone is frequently with me who has fox on his ticket anyway... There's loads of fox opportunities on our Cornwall permish's but I only get down there for maybe four weeks a year. BUT if it's cheaper to reload than buy HMR - and fleabag has reloading gear I can use I might just have to bung in another variation soon. Tricky question time now... I have just had my ticket opened for my rimmies. Is a .22 Hornet more likely to be immediately granted on "open" than something like a .223? Edited November 5, 2008 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.