243 foxing round

[Bowland blades]

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.

Fox are dead if you hit the hart or lungs with any centre fire rifle . You drop issue is how you zeroed it a 243 win with any bullet suited to it should be zeroed at 200 yards the fox at 30 yards and the one at 200 plus some will also become very dead . Unfortunately it sounds you just did not get the trajectory issues or wind effects or perhaps ( and i cannot guess on this one ) the accuracy was the issue . You do also need to check on paper when changing ammo as some rounds will have a different zero - high or low or perhaps left or right of target

 

[Essexsussex]

Fox are dead if you hit the hart or lungs with any centre fire rifle . You drop issue is how you zeroed it a 243 win with any bullet suited to it should be zeroed at 200 yards the fox at 30 yards and the one at 200 plus some will also become very dead . Unfortunately it sounds you just did not get the trajectory issues or wind effects or perhaps ( and i cannot guess on this one ) the accuracy was the issue . You do also need to check on paper when changing ammo as some rounds will have a different zero - high or low or perhaps left or right of target

thanks - I’ve been shooting enough years to know that different rounds have very different poi. What I haven't done is a lot of night shooting and estimating distance at night is much different to the 15 years daytime centrefire experience I have. The benefit I have with my rifle with night vision is that I can save different zeros on the scope and change at the touch of a button. Changing between bullets once setup is not a challenge.

I had hoped the bullet drop would be significantly different on a lighter bullet, turns out it’s more or less the same. I hadn’t read the chart right on the Norma website but I still don’t really like the whitetails. A destructive bullet would be very helpful though as the target size v drop is quite significant on a fox when getting to the critical point of estimating distance - 200m ish - and therefore something that does more damage will be helpful.

I also need to practice more shooting at night but it’s not very sociable.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

If you know your ground then there's no need to practice at night. I'm a professional keeper and would like to think that I know this estate inside out.
I've shot foxes at night while having one of my beaters mates with me and they're amazed at how far away I take the shot from. I always say look here, you beat here so you know how far it is to the fox, you walk the ground on shoot days. Once you've decided how far away it is, you know the bullet drops with your ammo, so just shoot. It might look a small target that's far away but just because it's dark the fox doesn't shrink and the field doesn't get bigger. Have faith in your own judgement and hold steady.

 

[leeroy]

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 V Max 58g work really well also, very flat and hard hitting.

 

[Bowland blades]

thanks - I’ve been shooting enough years to know that different rounds have very different poi. What I haven't done is a lot of night shooting and estimating distance at night is much different to the 15 years daytime centrefire experience I have. The benefit I have with my rifle with night vision is that I can save different zeros on the scope and change at the touch of a button. Changing between bullets once setup is not a challenge.

I had hoped the bullet drop would be significantly different on a lighter bullet, turns out it’s more or less the same. I hadn’t read the chart right on the Norma website but I still don’t really like the whitetails. A destructive bullet would be very helpful though as the target size v drop is quite significant on a fox when getting to the critical point of estimating distance - 200m ish - and therefore something that does more damage will be helpful.

I also need to practice more shooting at night but it’s not very sociable

Never found ranging a big issue at night inside 200 yards with any CF personally . if there is significant wind I hold off or leave off , if its over 200 max i don't take the shot at night ( if that beast runs its too hard to be sure which one was hit and those out there shots at night are of too much increased risk )

 

[Deerstalker6]

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.

When I had mine and was still shooting it was Sako 70gr gamehead varmint Tipped, Absolutely walloped them, always a very nice visible exit on the other side

shot one large fox at 25m ish with that round last summer and didn't half go with a smack

 

[Ajax]

75 or 55 gr v max, both do the job well.

 

[Deerstalker6]

the 70/75gr tipped ammunition are that happy medium not as zippy as the 55gr/58gr but not harsh on your 243's barrel either as those ones are,
plus they hold their energy better down range and better bc plus better in the wind whats not to like

70gr I think were pushing a v nice 3580 fps out of a 24" length barrel

 

[An Sionnach]

I’m a big fan of Sako 70gr Gamehead Varmint
It’s a Sierra Blitzking bullet
Zeroed at 200 yards it’s point and shoot from under your feet to past 250 yards on a fox through my rifle and that’s a fair step in daylight let alone at night

 

[Drew 3]

Big fan of the factory Federal premium varmint with Nosler 70 grain ballistic tip bullet. For deer, the bullet you don’t seem to like, Norma whitetail 100 grain always works for me. They also shoot very similar from my 22” barrel, half inch height difference between the two at 100 yds.

 

[Essexsussex]

Big fan of the factory Federal premium varmint with Nosler 70 grain ballistic tip bullet. For deer, the bullet you don’t seem to like, Norma whitetail 100 grain always works for me. They also shoot very similar from my 22” barrel, half inch height difference between the two at 100 yds.

Thanks Drew handy to know.

 

[BenBhoy]

If you know your ground then there's no need to practice at night. I'm a professional keeper and would like to think that I know this estate inside out.
I've shot foxes at night while having one of my beaters mates with me and they're amazed at how far away I take the shot from. I always say look here, you beat here so you know how far it is to the fox, you walk the ground on shoot days. Once you've decided how far away it is, you know the bullet drops with your ammo, so just shoot. It might look a small target that's far away but just because it's dark the fox doesn't shrink and the field doesn't get bigger. Have faith in your own judgement and hold steady.

Million % this. I know not all of us are fortunate enough to know their ground inside out, but those of us who are literally on their all day & night should be able to confidently range estimate at any times of day or night. I genuinely think I could walk a bloody good distance on my our land, navigate gates & fences with my eyes closed.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Million % this. I know not all of us are fortunate enough to know their ground inside out, but those of us who are literally on their all day & night should be able to confidently range estimate at any times of day or night. I genuinely think I could walk a bloody good distance on my our land, navigate gates & fences with my eyes closed.

I drive around at night with no lights on, scanning with the thermal, whilst out after foxes. Frightening for your passenger but proves you know your ground

 

[Acm]

Have shot a lot of foxes this year with Sierra 85grn gameking in the .243, as well as hornady outfitter copper.
I think both are deer bullets really, but both give emphatic kills.

 

[Sniper308]

58h vmax is what I’d be loading up if I had.243

 

[kevtherev]

Norma 76g tip strike works well but whatever works well in each individuals rifle.
Try a few different rounds see how they behave Geco and Hornady super performance work well also.

 

[Mike1979]

Hornady Superperformance Varmint in 75 Grain certainly does the job. I ve used my .243 on foxes for the last 10 years or so and this is the bullet I prefer.

However- any well placed bullet and the fox is dead

 

[soapywatson]

.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.

Couldn't agree more, these work wonders for me even with poorer shot placement no fox has gone further than 15/20 yards.
From a zero of 100m they only drop 2.5 inches to 200m