243 foxing round

[Essexsussex]

I’ve had my arm twisted to shoot some foxes round the sheep by the farmer.

I’ve been using the 243 100gr Norma white tails I bought for deer (the excellent rws 100gr were out of stock), which are a bit rubbish generally (3.5” plus drop at 200m and a little anemic) and I won’t be restocking with those for deer or foxes, but for now I’m zeroed in and using them.

I’m sure the sensible choice is varmint type ammo, even if I get sorted for next year now. What's go to for you foxing pros? Flat shooting and destructive is what I’m after.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

55 grain max or similiar. Other grain sizes are available.

 

[old keeper]

I've always used 75-grain V-Max to good effect!

 

[Elvis]

Federal 55gr ballistic or anything loaded with 58gr Hornady vmax if your after flat and destructive

 

[Kevgun]

70 gr Nosler ballistic tip, works for everything

 

[needsy]

My rifle loves the Norma Tip-strike 76g, shoots them better than the 58g v-max

 

[Essexsussex]

Thanks eveyone

I don’t really like shooting foxes hence I hadn’t particularly researched it, some good options here.

Having read a few posts on here about not shooting foxes around sheep I feel a bit bad, but the farmer wants some control so I’m duty bound to help as a thanks for the fallow shooting.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Best rounds I've used are 55 grain nosher balistic tips.

Out to 200m they are absolutely deadly and turn them inside out.

I have however gone onto 87 grain v max for the sake of preserving my barrel and they are excellent

 

[Ranger22]

70gr blitz king over Vit n140.

 

[3.5mag]

75gr Vmax, + N160 & crimped.
Dual duty on fox & small deer including Roe - destroys foxes but not deer. Think the crimping helps.

 

[Sellars]

I'd just stick to the 100grain you usually use for deer. At least that way you won't have to re-zero or make any adjustments and the fox will be just as dead.

 

[Essexsussex]

I'd just stick to the 100grain you usually use for deer. At least that way you won't have to re-zero or make any adjustments and the fox will be just as dead.

This was my initial thought, but Ideally something flatter and more destructive would be handy (I find these whitetails a bit cack anyway), and as I use an electronic scope I can store two or more zeros on it so it isn’t too much of a drag. But what you say also makes a lot of sense!

 

[Tim.243]

I'd just stick to the 100grain you usually use for deer. At least that way you won't have to re-zero or make any adjustments and the fox will be just as dead.

Quite, I use a 95gn round shot muntjac and red in the same field and you don't want to be scratching at a red with a cotton bud lol

 

[Heym SR20]

Thanks eveyone

I don’t really like shooting foxes hence I hadn’t particularly researched it, some good options here.

Having read a few posts on here about not shooting foxes around sheep I feel a bit bad, but the farmer wants some control so I’m duty bound to help as a thanks for the fallow shooting.

Best foxing rifle is the one you have in your hand when out deer stalking. Don’t over think it. Put your bullet through the centre of the shoulder. Depending on your zero and range put your cross hair 1” below centre of shoulder, but realistically with a typical No4 reticle the bullet will hit either side of the cross hair at normal ranges.

 

[Coleman21d]

As above don’t overthink it. I’m using the last of my Geco 105gr soft points and I’ve also used the 80gr non toxic CX ammunition from Hornady. The fox doesn’t know either way.

 

[Cyres]

75 v max 40.5 grn of N140. 3250 fps.
Silly accurate and destructive on foxs. Don't worry about the sheep they don't mind. Just make sure of decent back stop and no sheep behind fox. Although they fragment well the core may continue a fair distance.
D

 

[VSS]

.243 Hornady 58 grain V-max Superperformance.
These little beauties trot along at almost 4,000 fps and are deadly accurate.
I use them for foxing and for head shooting fallow
They definitely tick your "flat shooting & destructive" box.

 

[pete evans]

I use 70g ballistic tips and work well. To be honest though your 100g soft point will work fine and I’m not sure lighter stuff will be much flatter as they run out of steam quicker. My home load 70s vs 100s are practically pretty similar trajectory. Have a look at some charts, lighter and faster isn’t always flatter

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

.243 Hornady 58 grain V-max Superperformance.
These little beauties trot along at almost 4,000 fps and are deadly accurate.
I use them for foxing and for head shooting fallow
They definitely tick your "flat shooting & destructive" box.

THIS ^

 

[homer]

.243 Hornady 58 grain V-max Superperformance.
These little beauties trot along at almost 4,000 fps and are deadly accurate.
I use them for foxing and for head shooting fallow
They definitely tick your "flat shooting & destructive" box.

Fantastic little round, and so smooth to shoot too.