Tony Morgan
Well-Known Member
Intending to shop for a .223 for foxing. What round do people find effective, and what twist rate for the .223 should I be looking for? Thanks.
.223 foxing round
- Thread starter Tony Morgan
- Start date
.223 is the round and all loads are effective as long as they are not target rounds, it (5.56x45) is used to shoot people after all!
For foxing to 250 yards or so twist doesn't really come into play, although some will tell you a fast twist and longer heavier high BC bullets are better its nonsense, my 1:14 0.223 shoots foxes at 250 and a bit further with no problem its only if you want to stretch beyond 350+ that twist can come into it.
As for bullets / loads 40/50/55 gr soft point or tipped varmint type bullets are my preference, I home load 50 gr V-max to 3350 fps and they put everything down very well.
For foxing to 250 yards or so twist doesn't really come into play, although some will tell you a fast twist and longer heavier high BC bullets are better its nonsense, my 1:14 0.223 shoots foxes at 250 and a bit further with no problem its only if you want to stretch beyond 350+ that twist can come into it.
As for bullets / loads 40/50/55 gr soft point or tipped varmint type bullets are my preference, I home load 50 gr V-max to 3350 fps and they put everything down very well.
Robert Bucknell uses a 69gn head in a home load. From what I remember of the conversation less affected by wind was one of the reasons.
I've been buggering about with a few different home loads in my .222 but had been using up some factory 50gr Remington AccuTips for living things. They worked fine but were quite pedestrian. Shot my first fox with home loaded 40gr V-Max last week and it was very conclusive - only 140ish metres but straight down and no exit.
As others have said, if it's a varmint bullet and your rifle shoots them ok, it will probably work well. If you're reloading, however, you might find your choice is dictated more by the availability of components!
As others have said, if it's a varmint bullet and your rifle shoots them ok, it will probably work well. If you're reloading, however, you might find your choice is dictated more by the availability of components!
The 223 is a cracking round and very versatile, I've only just really got going with mine as the build was finished during the start of lock down . Previously I used my 243 for just about everything . Not as hip as a 204 , but ammo and components are more readily available , not to say cheaper .
I'd consider a 1 in 9 , purely as a response to the push toward lead free ammo . It will stabilise the longer bullets . However , it may not like the lighter/shorter sub 50 grain bullets . If you're intent on using 40 grainers , slow twist .
In the end , it's your choice . Your intended bullet choice really dictates the twist .
FT
I'd consider a 1 in 9 , purely as a response to the push toward lead free ammo . It will stabilise the longer bullets . However , it may not like the lighter/shorter sub 50 grain bullets . If you're intent on using 40 grainers , slow twist .
In the end , it's your choice . Your intended bullet choice really dictates the twist .
FT
Free range rob
Well-Known Member
I run a 1 in 8 on my 223, and it shoots pretty much everything from 50gr upto 70 gr ish with no issues at all.
currently using factory load vmax either 53g or 55gr and it is so predictable bang flop every time.
I am getting geared up to try some non toxic through it very soon, so will be interested to see how that goes.
currently using factory load vmax either 53g or 55gr and it is so predictable bang flop every time.
I am getting geared up to try some non toxic through it very soon, so will be interested to see how that goes.
Free range rob
Well-Known Member
As above
but I won’t be using them on fox due to cost and why would I worry about lead in it as won’t be going into the food chain
Brighty3006
Well-Known Member
50 grain v max
If factory, I use a Hornady 55 gr Vmax round. If I do my bit then the results are devastating.
If reloading, then I use a 53gr Vmax (mainly because they were all I could get back when they were S.5), but the results are identical.
That's shooting through a 1989 Steyr Mannlicher with a 1:9 twist
If reloading, then I use a 53gr Vmax (mainly because they were all I could get back when they were S.5), but the results are identical.
That's shooting through a 1989 Steyr Mannlicher with a 1:9 twist
Because sadly all of my properties have banned it being either wildlife reserves, national trust or adjacent to same...
Cool and good to know as I am struggling to get GMX to stabilise
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