Fox shooting distance
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foxdropper
Well-Known Member
It’s not the modern kit that’s incapable of rangey shots but the operator .I’ve no problem relating to either scenario and will happily take a fox at circa 300 paces ,paces that is so whatever the corresponding meterage is .
Used to confirm myself to under 100 with lamp and meopta scope on the .243 but happily shoot the distance with the hawke and pard on the .223 .
Difference has been going out with another lad who does those shots with ease .Rightly or wrongly I tried it and result=dead foxes .
Some want to do it for bragging rights I know but to me it’s just another string to the bow when faced with a fox that won’t play ball and come running in like a dog .
Inch high at 100 ,straight at it at 300 .Like Tim 243 said though I prefer my foxes sat up and face on for a rangey shot .More room for error I feel which is more of a confidence thing I’d say .
Used to confirm myself to under 100 with lamp and meopta scope on the .243 but happily shoot the distance with the hawke and pard on the .223 .
Difference has been going out with another lad who does those shots with ease .Rightly or wrongly I tried it and result=dead foxes .
Some want to do it for bragging rights I know but to me it’s just another string to the bow when faced with a fox that won’t play ball and come running in like a dog .
Inch high at 100 ,straight at it at 300 .Like Tim 243 said though I prefer my foxes sat up and face on for a rangey shot .More room for error I feel which is more of a confidence thing I’d say .
Sat up you've got 18"-2ft its a bit like shooting, at largest target you'll ever get. Approx 3'6" from head to lower regions.
There is a good margin for error, even at 600 yds.
foxdropper
Well-Known Member
Just turn the rifle on its side Mark ,cuts out the windage 
Yes that is exactly what you doJust turn the rifle on its side Mark ,cuts out the windage
As an aside, have you ever tried it? Tipping the rifle by 90 degrees creates a totally weird set of variables !!
Just a note on the usual inch high at 100 yrds/mtrs. It can play some funky tricks shooting down or up at a decent angle, seeing the point of impact rise above the target enough to miss in some cases.
(Its hard to force yourself to aim a little low on a fox at 200 yrds downhill sometimes).
(Its hard to force yourself to aim a little low on a fox at 200 yrds downhill sometimes).
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Not necessarily so. My strides work out pretty close via a range finder.
Some may shuffle their feet but some of us do a variation of the goose step!
West Midlands eh, that stride wouldn't be due to it being the home of my late favourite politician would it. The only one I know who ever spoke the truth.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
I don't know friend. I avoid politics if possible at all costs.
samdk
Well-Known Member
I would say my average range is 150 but I have taken them out to 390 with NV and regularly between 200-300.
I don’t shoot them at range unless it is necessary, provided you are well practiced and have a stable shooting position then I see no problem with it.
Shoot at ranges you are confident, comfortable and the conditions allow, if in doubt leave it for another night.
samdk
Well-Known Member
I don’t condone bragging but there is a sense of achievement from executing a humane shot at longer range when the need arises.
Modern rifles, optics and projectiles are more than capable of the accuracy and delivering the energy needed at extended ranges to humanly take a fox. Provided the shooter is competent and has a stable shooting platform I see no issue with it.
Most centrefire rifles used for foxing are more accurate and have far more energy at 250 yards than a 22lr at 60 yards!
Last sentence perfectly correct, my problem with long shots is particularly at night. Very difficult unless you are intimately associated with every inch of your ground to be sure of a backstop or even lack of humans. I admit I don't have thermal but have had the experience of a couple appearing it would seem out of the ground about 100yds beyond the fox and that was with a lamp.
samdk
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with your point, you need to know your ground well and be 100% sure the shot is clear.
Most of my ground is large, hilly fields so I can see a good distance with the thermal to ensure it’s safe.
People do pop up in strange places at strange times though!
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I totally agree thermal is marvellous at spotting what's out and about at night, but take it from me, it doesn't see everything as anyone who's looked for a shot fox in long grass will know.I totally agree with your point, you need to know your ground well and be 100% sure the shot is clear.
Most of my ground is large, hilly fields so I can see a good distance with the thermal to ensure it’s safe.
People do pop up in strange places at strange times though!
Bowderdale
Well-Known Member
I think alot depends on your terrain, I shoot on very hilly ground and steep crags, ranges vary from 50yrds to 400 yards in good conditions, Ive shot 5 this week in excess of 200 yards
I have done over double that once , the fox didn't take a step .! It's rare I really want a fox inside 200 yards but sometimes needs must . The wind was easy and tge range although long in travel I was shooting up a steep incline in broad daylight from a good stance as it tried to call the cubs I had just done with the vixen done the evening before . The dog would have intended to move them to another vixen but had twigged I was about , unfortunately for him he thought he was at a safe distance and he would have been if it was horizontal distance or if there was a difficult wind that morning
243 win 70 grain nosler bt a great long range performer on the terminals
Overlay
Well-Known Member
Hi Mike
couldn’t agree more
ive got my 4 thermal/seekers, my old thermal, my new thermal, Nugget and Digger one of them will find a runner, possible even two might at the same time. .
So all is not lost.
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