Foxing calibre

[J_Borer]

Hi Jack
I would go for a 223 - has all the attributes - including low recoil which is preferable for NV shooting - From my own experience of mounting my NV scope on my 234 and 6.5 CM - i sometimes missed the impact, especially when shooting off the bonnet of my 4x4. As said no cal is truly flat 250-300 yards , and if you do get one , you will probably by on your local rifle smiths Christmas card list but i know what you mean - flat as possible and good in wind too.

The lateral drift is really important , as you could get lulled into the trap of just shooting lighter and lighter bullets - going for max velocity, but these bullets tend to have low BC and can get blown about in the breeze at ranges over 250 yrds.

A few to consider

The 223,- shooting a 53 g Vmax (or similar) at around 3400fps - Zeroed 3/4 inch high at 100 - will a drop 2.1 inch at 250 yrds . the bullet will hit with approx 760 FPE . ( more than a 22 hornet at the muzzle)

22.250 does a splendid job at 300 yrds - sending the same bullet 300/ 400 fps faster - dropping 1.6 inches at 250yrds and and moving less in the wind too. It also hits with over 950 FPE. only real difference in cost is the few pence more in powder. As a foxing rifle barrel life isnt an issue. In years gone by , I was shooting over 300 fox per year, for many years. My favorite foxing cal is the 22.250 - so i am biased

The 20 cal are also perfect for that range - albeit the choice of rifles and bullets is less - the 39 grn SKB and 204 makes a excellent 300 yrd combo for NV.

Personally , give your criteria, i would go for the 223 - everything about the 223 is easy - fantastic selection of accurate rifles - different barrels twist and configurations - Ammo and all reloading stuff is easy to find and there is a huge selection of both cheap stuff and very high quality reloading components.


ATB
Alan

Did you say you also have a 6.5CM?

 

[bluesako]

go get a 22=250 zero it bang on at 200yds go out and have fun bs

 

[Grandhubert]

Night vision and low recoil go well together, it’s not as if you can keep the eye open to observe the shot reaction.

 

[bfltd0]

I would get a .222 or a .223 - good accuracy, low recoil, lots of platforms to shoot it through.

 

[gixer1]

Sounds like a or you need a .222 or .223, both low recoil and fairly flat with the right bullet out to 300 yards. A 243 would do the job too with a light bullet and devastating with ballistic tip.

regards,
Gixer

 

[EddieArran505]

I use .243 with 95gr ballistic silver tips. Outstanding versatile rifle. However my lamping partner uses 39gr .204 and I’m mightily impressed. It is a great foxing round and I’ve seen it in use for years. Terminal results are excellent and it is a really flat shooting round. When zeroed inch high at 100 yards it has +1.5” at 150 yards and -1.8” at 300 yards so virtually no holdover required right out to 300 yards.
Can’t imagine a more suitable foxing round unless you’re shooting in strong winds at extended range.
I also occasionally use 168gr BST in 300 wsm on foxes. Decisive.

 

[Dan Gliballs]

What NV are you using for foxes at 300yrds?

 

[Triggermortis]

What do you prefer to use with the night vision the .222 or the .243?

.222 every time, it’s a lot more sociable round in terms of being around livestock and in proximity to buildings etc, no recoil, cheap to feed and lazer beam accurate, only downside is the bloody calibre is sooooo addictive, makes me smile every time I pick one of them up

 

[old keeper]

I’ve found them very helpful also but a few mates have had problems applying for 2 of the same calibre even when one is for dedicated night vision. I have looked at the .204, did you give fox control as the reason for applying for one? I only ask because looking on the firearms law it says .204 is not allowed for foxes, we all know they do the job as well as most calibres but wandered if it was a grey area?

The application was for vermin control. Where did you see the 204Ruger isn't allowed for foxes. It's a very capable round for them and in the States, they are used extensively for coyotes and in New Zealand, they shoot fallow with them!

 

[sir-slots-alot]

Did you say you also have a 6.5CM?

Yes buddy - I have a custom 6.5 CM - good for tough foxes

 

[J_Borer]

The application was for vermin control. Where did you see the 204Ruger isn't allowed for foxes. It's a very capable round for them and in the States, they are used extensively for coyotes and in New Zealand, they shoot fallow with them!

This is all I have seen but I cannot find any definitive answer elsewhere. I would argue this isn’t correct as I know plenty of people who use .204 for foxes!

 

[J_Borer]

Yes buddy - I have a custom 6.5 CM - good for tough foxes

What do you use it for? I applied for one and have a slot on my ticket for one! I only applied as I was applying for me variation and thought why not as I’m paying £20 anyway, I wanted it for long range targets(not foxes though) but hadn’t done much research as they were fairly new on the scene when I applied!


How do you get on with it?

 

[J_Borer]

I would get a .222 or a .223 - good accuracy, low recoil, lots of platforms to shoot it through.

Do you have either?

 

[J_Borer]

Sounds like a or you need a .222 or .223, both low recoil and fairly flat with the right bullet out to 300 yards. A 243 would do the job too with a light bullet and devastating with ballistic tip.

regards,
Gixer

Do you use either the .222 or .223?

 

[bfltd0]

Do you have either?

Yes, a .223. I got it partly based on the larger range of factory ammo available, including surplus ammo for practice.

And also because Steyr don't chamber the Scout in .222.

 

[sir-slots-alot]

Deer, fox and all legal Quarry.

Its my long range rifle - plus its mustard on fox with 95 grn Vmax

 

[gixer1]

Do you use either the .222 or .223?

I have owned a .223, excellent chambering and extremely popular for fox and roe.

you will likely have more choice of rifles chambered in .223 or .243 than .222.

I loaded mostly 55gr .223 and they were about 8-10” drop at 300 yards.

regards,
Gixer

 

[User00025]

Sorry, when I say flat I don’t mean zero it at 100 yards and it will be bang on at 300 but like the .243 I zero at an inch high at 100, bang on at 200 and only about 2 inch drop at 300! I’m trying to steer clear of another .243 as my local force don’t like giving 2 of the same calibre!

That seems a bit unusual, an inch high at 100 takes you to 200, only 150 with mine. Mine also drops a hell of a lot more than 2 inches at 300.

 

[J_Borer]

That seems a bit unusual, an inch high at 100 takes you to 200, only 150 with mine. Mine also drops a hell of a lot more than 2 inches at 300.

Are you using factory ammo or home loads? I did mean 250, I see about 3.5-4 inches of when at 300! Although haven’t taken it out any fursther than 300 unfortunately.

 

[gixer1]

That seems a bit unusual, an inch high at 100 takes you to 200, only 150 with mine. Mine also drops a hell of a lot more than 2 inches at 300.

Yeah, I think that’s a bit odd as even 58gr hornady drop about 5” at 300 yards when pushed pretty fast.