robmiller Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Hi guys I have been approved for a .243 but am seriously thinking i was just getting over excited on calibre. I do have some deerstalking permission but i want to undertake the DSC qualifications before i progress. I now need a calibre suitable for foxing and longer range vermin. A .243 is obv overkill for most except charlies upwards. What would be your advice for nailing foxes, the odd long range bunny and potentially smaller roe or muntjac? I would really appreciate any guidance on ammunition price aswell, i have asked he question before but i didnt get much of an answer. I just need to ring the FAO asap thats all and get the .243 written of for something smaller? And then progress this with a future variation. Appreciate any advice Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeymagic1969 Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 If your in England you can not use less than a .240 rifle for roe, so your ideal rifle would be .243 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmiller Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 yep, got that. Should have remembered. Obv its scotland where different. Could you advise me on potential ranges for a .243? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie223 Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 (edited) i would get a .223 great for fox and long range vermin. factory ammo is reasonable in price but reloading ammo is much more accurate and a reloading set up (press,dies,etc) you can get also at resonable prices,around 3-500 quid for everything new or cheaper secondhand.where i live and shoot a .223 is more than sufficient for all types of medium/large vermin.just my opinion :good:bigger caliber req for deer obviousley Edited July 12, 2009 by richie223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmiller Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 cheers richie, how much are they .223 calibre ammo. And what sort of ditances did you zero your rifle in at? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 You've got the .223, which people swear by. The 22-250 which shoots as flat as a pancake. Last but not least, the 243, the ideal all rounder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie223 Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 cheers richie, how much are they .223 calibre ammo. And what sort of ditances did you zero your rifle in at?Thanks around 40-50 quid for 100 rounds of privi and i zero my rifle at 100 meters plenty where i am but dont quote me on the prices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAULT Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 when i first had my 223 ammo was a pound a round cheaper if you reload bought some sako ammo for my 243 pound a round prvi is s--t zeroed all my rifles for inch and half high at 100 yds hope this makes sense also you only need one rifle and get a good scope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Rob, for me it has to be a .243 every time, on the grounds of versatility. I used mine for vermin control, hares, muntjac, fox and the occasional larger deer. With 70gr or 87gr V-Max, it is a blinding performer on fox and vermin, and gives more down-range performance than any .22 centrefire. There is no logic buying a .22-250, which costs as much as a .243 to run, and creates virtually equal noise and recoil as the .243, but lacks the versatility. If you are buying a single rifle, go for a .243. If the rifle is destined to be one of a larger collection, buy a .222 for foxing and get a larger calibre for deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAULT Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 what sort of reloads are you using Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 To make the most of the versitility out of a .243 your best loading your own .I think :yp: Hornady go down as low as a 58 grain bullet which must have one hell of a fps .You also have the option for heavier up to 110 grn bullets for larger quarry . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethevanman Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I have a .243 and it is great for deer, although I wouldnt shoot large deer with it like Sika and Reds although I do take Fallow and Roe with it. My ammo of choice currently is the 100gr Remington Core-Lokt PSP...I havent had to walk more than 20yds to find a downed deer and the damage inside from the Core-Lokts it quite good. But I do belive they changed the law so that you can have deer legal calibers for fox as well, instead of "Fox whilst stalking"...I know a few people who have foc and deer on theor 308's, alot of people take the rule of 6.5 x 55 is the limit for fox and deer, but some people have 270's and 308's. What I can say is find the caliber you want, but .243 is your best bet. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 but some people have 270's and 308's I can shoot a rabbit with my .270 if I want to (good ol' Herts police) they put vermin on my ticket for all my guns and it covers everything in their eyes. I used to shoot foxes with a 30-06 and they don't even flinch after one of those have hit them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Brilliant question and brilliant answers, I was going to ask the question myself but got beaten to it :unsure: I am going to put down .17hmr and .223 OR .243 when i apply for firearms but i didnt know which. All the best, Sam :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmiller Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I am holding of on the .17 as I still think the best fun and quietest is a .22 rimfire. I know a lot of people on here seem to be swinging towards a .17, but for rabbit dropping I still don't think they can be beat. .243 it is then, may need to call on a pro to help me zero mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I can shoot a rabbit with my .270 if I want to (good ol' Herts police) they put vermin on my ticket for all my guns and it covers everything in their eyes. I used to shoot foxes with a 30-06 and they don't even flinch after one of those have hit them. I have had exceptional results with 90gr Sierra HPs from the .270, and 150gr BTs from the .30-06. The damage is pretty catastrophic, however. Rob, I firmly agree with you that the .22LR is the most fun. I chucked my .17HMR recently, as it offered me no improvement on a semi-auto .22WMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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