Fox rifle turmoil!!

[Tommo]

Having already got a rimmy, and a stalking rifle (.308),

 

I'm being askerd constantly to take care of foxes by people with problems with too many etc etc. been doing a bit with the rimmy, but think its time for a proper set-up!

 

So l'm thinking of adding to the collection - only problem is i'm undecided what to get?

 

Obviously the 22 -250 has its good points like speed, accuracy, power behind it, but others like the 222, 223 with their own qualities (like not being fazed by long grass!!) just dont know what to get - and ideally l need it to be as quiet as possible? I have had two people ask if l can shoot charlies that are being fed by their neigbours!! so needs to be something that can be silenced really well.

 

Oh and tried using lower grains in the .308 (silenced too) but still far to man for the job....

 

?? T

[harv]

Use the .308 you wont get a centrefire that can be silenced to the extent of it not been heard you will alwys get the supersonic crack.

[harveykeitel22]

222. all the way, my friend who i shoot with all the time,has got one, and ive been with him loads of times foxing at night, and have shot many with it.

[Mungler]

.223 all day long - cheap and plentiful ammo and FAO's love them.

 

You might want to have a look at the very nice Steyr Scout in the sale section.

[Tommo]

I hear what you are saying Harv,

 

But the 85gr ammo l used makes a right mess - rather like to pick up 1 peice of a dead fox than see it all over the floor - Shot 1 at 240yds with the 150+ gn's and l'm telling you a heart shot makes it look like its been shot with a missle.... Going back to the 85gr loads - their bloody expensive too for what l want to do with them!! lol - l'm not a tight *** really!!

 

T

[JohnGalway]

.223 or .243 if you want to change the .308

[Tommo]

Mung -

 

Been looking at that - and being the web user l am - got it up on the screen now on Styr's site - lovely bit of kit - love them anyway - guy l stalk with shoots a 30-06 Styr ultralight?? - barrels are a work of art and its awsomely accurate - gotta give it some thought though and get a variation in!

[maddog546]

I went for the 223 after asking around and as mentioned the FAO seem to agree with this calibre for the job.

They sure as hell dont get up after you hit em,I have a Wildcat T8 over barrel moderator on it and it cuts the noise right back so as you dont disturb the townies living in the countryside who obviously think its a drugs war going on by night,going by their stupid comments.

[stevethevanman]

I have a 243 for fox, and even most people think its good

 

with some nice 75gr AccuTips behind it, it puts Mr Fox down very quick indeed

 

but in my opinion keep the 308...you can get it for fox now anyway, so...?

 

also you will always get the supersonic crack, on any bullet that breaks the sound barrier.

 

Steve

[pavman]

.223 all day long - cheap and plentiful ammo and FAO's love them.

 

You might want to have a look at the very nice Steyr Scout in the sale section.

 

 

:o by chance is there also a S&B

[steve_b_wales]

Get yourself a 243. An excellent caliber for fox.

[Lloyd90]

243 for fox/deer

 

223 if just fox, or if you can afford the more expensive ammo a 22/250

[Baldrick]

Keep the .308, add a .243. The 87gr V-Max give much more reach, wallop and wind-bucking ability than a piddly little .223. I ditched my .22CFs for one .243, because it is considerably more versatile.

 

Incidentally you can of course load subsonics for a .308, if you really felt the need. Lapua also makes a 200gr subsonic round (I assume FMJ though). You are talking yards of dope at even a few hundred yards' range.

[garyb]

.223 Rem

 

As used by the Warrener and Robert Bucknell - What these two gents don't know about foxing, isn't worth writing.

[Baldrick]

Robert uses a variety of rifles. He doesn't just stick to the .223. His view is that unless you have an arsenal of rifles at your disposal, the .243 is an ideal do-all rifle. Backed up with a .308 or .30-06, you are covered for everything.

 

Dead is dead, so why constrain yourself with a .22CF?

[garyb]

Balders.., you're right there.. the 243 is a fantastic all rounder (if there is such a thing) I've seen many a charlie silenced with an 85 grn pill

 

I guess it's a case of personal preference.. for me I like the economy of the 223 and the ease of which to obtain factory ammo to feed it

 

We all know that 22 hornet is enough gun for fox - but would I buy one for that purpose?... No.

 

This question is all going to come down to the suitability of the land vs calibre, and personal preference

[bullet boy]

I may be bias but go for a 22-250-a much faster bullet than the 223, thats accurate and got plenty of stopping power for a fox.

[njc110381]

I'm going to say .223 would be good. Ammo is very cheap and it is plenty powerful enough for all but the longest range Foxes. If you think about it, if you wanted to shoot in a gale one night because you had to then you'll still have the .308 as a backup plan

 

A .243 would be a good calibre, but then you have the ammo cost to consider. You'd be burning more powder and throwing larger bullets for no reason.

[JohnGalway]

.223 Rem

 

As used by the Warrener and Robert Bucknell - What these two gents don't know about foxing, isn't worth writing.

 

Mmmm I would not lump those two gentlemen in the same league Bucknell is far more knowledgeable and far less prone to... Too near Christmas to finish that

[Dead-Eyed Duck]

Shooting up to 200 yards a 223 is all that you need - plus the ammo is cheaper than heavier calibres.

 

I'll bet that 95% of all foxes shot are below 150 yards - mine are.

 

Don

[antuk99]

Just to throw a spanner in the works i have a .204 with a T4 on it highly accurate

[Trussman]

.404 Jeffrey is clearly the most suitable choice.

 

True, but a .700NE would be best.

[bullet boy]

Go for 22-250,thats my preference over all calibres for fox control!

[JohnGalway]

Dead is dead is dead, fox won't mind what he's sent off into the after life with

 

So what's most important to you?

 

Cost, cost and then a bit more cost? Will you be banging away at targets, formally or informally, using up a fair bit of ammo? If no, then you won't be shooting a hell of a lot so ammo cost won't bother you. If you're going to be making the new gun go bang a lot then it'll be a factor quickly, or, you could look into reloading

 

Fields, ground, whatever. Are we talking longer shots or up close and personal? Big open ground will be more suitable for the cals that're going to be spitting out bullets more suited to combat wind drift or drop, depending on which you're more comfortable reading I guess.

 

You mentioned noise, I've heard .223 and .243 moderated. Neither of them are loud. You will of course always get the crack but the boom is gone to be honest. On open ground both will sound quieter than say shooting into a small gully or the like but that's going to happen with all moderated rifles.

 

So think about your land, that would be the deciding factor to me, will you need to take longer shots because of it? Or to reach out and touch that lamp shy fox that's taken a liking to lambs/hens etc? There is a bit of comfort in havint the option to shoot out longer distances, because you have that option doesn't mean you have to use it, but having choices is always a good thing.

 

Either way, the fox won't mind