17hmr or .17 hornet

[Smellydog]

My main foxing rifle at the moment is a HMR.
Not had an issue nore lost one. I just try and keep the range down and 90% of the time shoot them across the ribs.
I've shot them with a 22, WMR, hornet, 222, 243, 6.5, 270, 308 and 357. It's no different except there is no more pressure to shoot when I see one a 300yds, I just get closer or turn up another time.
It's just bigger is better syndrome.
I've probably seen more foxes educated by missed long shots with centerfires than I have with rim fires!
Last night's 133 paces

 

[MagicLantern]

Which you won’t be able to soon as no one is bringing it in any more. It’s also not a 200 yard plus fox round

As I said, if you can get the ammo. Fortunately I have a decent source who can supply. I don't really go in for the longest shot method, I know the limits of my NV and never risk a low viz shot. I prefer stalking to closer ranges, using thermal, and then only switch on the IR on the NV at the last moment for the shot. Closer in is a more humane and definite dispatch, maximum energy applied in the right spot.

But hey, if your kit lets you wallop 'em at 200yrds, I say fill your boots.

 

[PhilSN12]

What makes the HMR no problem but the .223 a problem?

Would you use a .50BMG where you would usually use a .22lr? Or shoot pigeons inside a barn with a .22lr instead of a 12ftlb air rifle?
Even Bisley (its a very famous series of ranges used by the military and civilians), have a small bore range that limits the calibre.
If you can not work out that certain back stops will be safe for certain calibres and not for others, maybe you should find another hobby.

What makes the HMR no problem but the .223 a problem?

 

[Foxyboy43]

I put in a phone call , it's local rate . The Big Man said you're talking bo##%x , he uses a .223 .




Whilst there's no legal minimum calibre for fox , I'm not sure that Firearms Licensing would grant a variation for the HMR for use on fox . It certainly used to be frowned upon here . I guess "all legal quarry " would cover it .
The OP hasn't given much information in regards to his permission but has stated 150 - 200 yards plus , which means that both the HMR and Hornet would be left wanting.

Oh dear - clearly you mis-dialled and got Old Nick instead!
Our licensing people will not approve rimfire or rimfire magnum for fox. Not that many years ago the same outfit would only give you a 22lr for fox and eventually a .22 magnum, now it simply must be centrefire dahling.
Funny old world innit?

 

[25 Sharps]

Would you use a .50BMG where you would usually use a .22lr? Or shoot pigeons inside a barn with a .22lr instead of a 12ftlb air rifle?
Even Bisley (its a very famous series of ranges used by the military and civilians), have a small bore range that limits the calibre.
If you can not work out that certain back stops will be safe for certain calibres and not for others, maybe you should find another hobby.

No I get it but .17 HMR and .223 are relatively close together and a lot of people think HMR is a magic wand because the bullets disintegrate in contact with anything, which just is not true!

It bounces and carries its energy

 

[25 Sharps]

As I said, if you can get the ammo. Fortunately I have a decent source who can supply. I don't really go in for the longest shot method, I know the limits of my NV and never risk a low viz shot. I prefer stalking to closer ranges, using thermal, and then only switch on the IR on the NV at the last moment for the shot. Closer in is a more humane and definite dispatch, maximum energy applied in the right spot.

But hey, if your kit lets you wallop 'em at 200yrds, I say fill your boots.

Point being, the OP wants a gun to shoot foxes at 200 yards plus….

 

[25 Sharps]

I put in a phone call , it's local rate . The Big Man said you're talking bo##%x , he uses a .223 .




Whilst there's no legal minimum calibre for fox , I'm not sure that Firearms Licensing would grant a variation for the HMR for use on fox . It certainly used to be frowned upon here . I guess "all legal quarry " would cover it .
The OP hasn't given much information in regards to his permission but has stated 150 - 200 yards plus , which means that both the HMR and Hornet would be left wanting.

My HMR and all of my WMRS have been conditioned for fox even though I have out rabbits as my good reason.

 

[PhilSN12]

I did not suggest that the HMR was a magic wand, only that in certain locations I would use the HMR over my .223.

 

[Bo Diddley]

It's Easter chaps, enjoy the holiday and stop bickering like my kids over the flippin size of the easter eggs

 

[Smellydog]

We are just going from one extreme to the other here.
All cartridges have some overlap with each others performance. It may not be much of an overlap but overlap there is.
With some common sense most can be made to work with in their envelope.
200yds, you need more than HMR but if most of your shots are 100 or less HMR will be fine.

 

[User00044]

My HMR and all of my WMRS have been conditioned for fox even though I have out rabbits as my good reason.

Things may have changed, it was certainly frowned upon here , my FAC now simply states all legal quarry appropriate for calibre .

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm. I am old enough to remember a time when 100 yds was a very, very, long shot at fox but now it is silly close. The pace of change in firearms and accompanying technology is hard to get my your head around - especially the developments in night-shooting. I guess the truth of it all is to know your rifle of choice, familiarise yourself with what you can reasonably expect of/from it and always have the utmost respect for our top predator - a clean kill is what we should all strive for - they deserve nothing less.
IMHO a beautiful creature with intelligence beyond our ken, the poor old foxes really don’t know what’s hitting them - it’s indeed a wonder there are any left!

 

[flatliner]

Oh dear - clearly you mis-dialled and got Old Nick instead!
Our licensing people will not approve rimfire or rimfire magnum for fox. Not that many years ago the same outfit would only give you a 22lr for fox and eventually a .22 magnum, now it simply must be centrefire dahling.
Funny old world innit?

Any idea when did they started approving centrefires for fox?

 

[Roedeer 1962]

I'VE got a CZ 527 Hornet cant fault it nice to reload

 

[jall55]

Would suggest 204 / 22.250 for fox at that range but my go to - and yes perhaps "overgunned" or whatever you call, it is 270
Why because i feel comfortable using it

 

[Foxyboy43]

Any idea when did they started approving centrefires for fox?

In our part of the world (NI) I would guess 12-15 years ago which probably means 20+ !

 

[Bo Diddley]

the poor old foxes really don’t know what’s hitting them - it’s indeed a wonder there are any left!

Exactly what I think with all the thermal & NV.

 

[flatliner]

In our part of the world (NI) I would guess 12-15 years ago which probably means 20+ !

I came late to the rifle shooting party, had always been a shotgun man, and often wondered when the acceptance of centrefire rifles took place.My first rimfire was a .17hmr back in 2011, when my variation was applied for and approved in the space of a week. Ahh,those were the days

 

[PhilSN12]

Would suggest 204 / 22.250 for fox at that range but my go to - and yes perhaps "overgunned" or whatever you call, it is 270
Why because i feel comfortable using it

If you feel that using a .270 is ok to use on a small holding close to a housing estate, then you obviously will never be 'over gunned' in any situation.
However, my friend who is an old school gamekeeper, uses a .243, .22lr and a shotgun and would not use his .243 when he has 'a difficult one' round his chickens.
If the ground dictates a large calibre then fill your boots as I do as I love using my 6.5CM.

 

[pimmy]

17rem it will do everything and more,than you need bs.

They certainly will have one my self