Calibre for foxes in wind

[finnbear270]

You really should try a 6.5 PRC. Dedicated PRS rifle #104 200 metre chest shot in the wind on a steel Muntie.

 

[Mungo]

You really should try a 6.5 PRC

Is the correct answer

 

[Mungo]

I am looking for a calibre for shooting foxes with on windy hill ground. Most shots are 200 + yards. My 204 snd 22-250 are struggling. I’ve got to either learn to deal with it better or find something that handles it a bit better. Any ideas?

I think if a .22-250 is struggling, then you might need to step up to a 6 or even 6.5.

A Creedmoor or a 6.5x55 with a 140gr class bullet is very wind resistant

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
I am lucky enough to have shooting rights on a fairly high and exposed hillside. In the last year I have shot 46 foxes there in all sorts of conditions from 27 yards out to 360 with the majestic .222 and 50gns Hornady Vmax - for me the best way is to call, spot with thermal and if reluctant (rare) to come to me then I go to them. This way most shots are sub-150 and probably closer to 100 for which not much at all is required by way of windage - even in difficult conditions.
Soooo - my advice is rather than hurt your head (and wallet) on “appropriate chamberings” simply work on your calling and stalking skills - for the latter a thermal spotter is a godsend - you can easily walk in to close range - if you read the wind right - which of course in itself is a key element of your stalking skills….

 

[C h r i s]

Just back in from using my 22 Creedmoor, 75gn at 3550ft/sec, blowing a gale but only 2" wind drift at 250m, a high BC bullet helps.

Failing that the 6.5PRC is fantastic with 147gn bullets on a windy day.

 

[finnbear270]

Unfortunately calling has not been succesful once in 4 years on this place I now call home.
I will continue to be patient behind the .222

 

[Bowland blades]

You cannot fix the wind with bigger , longer slipery / higher BC / heavy bullets ! So we have to learn wind calling and adjustment , no way around it ! Remember when its real windy you can get a lot closer to the beast .

 

[Bowland blades]

Just back in from using my 22 Creedmoor, 75gn at 3550ft/sec, blowing a gale but only 2" wind drift at 250m, a high BC bullet helps.

Failing that the 6.5PRC is fantastic with 147gn bullets on a windy day.

2" on what wind , contour , under twist compared to over twist . left spin or right twist differences . ??? bullet Speed in bucking wind is not a big factor" of speed" but one of contour and then then BC ,
A real good Idea is - to zero on easy days and stalk deer or practice on the windy days .

 

[ashray]

.243 90GR ELD 2900FPS job done .

 

[Bowland blades]

.243 90GR ELD 2900FPS job done .

Kind of thing we have been using for many decades cant be far off if its shooting lead

 

[One on top of two]

.243 90GR ELD 2900FPS job done .

That'll do it

 

[palo]

.243 90GR ELD 2900FPS job done .

Just had a look at ballistics for this round.
7.7 inch of drift in a 10mph left to right crosswind at 300 yards compared to 9.2 inch for a 55grain vmax in 22-250 at 3750 fps at the same range and conditions.
Its better yes but only by 1.5 inches.

 

[kenbro]

Just had a look at ballistics for this round.
7.7 inch of drift in a 10mph left to right crosswind at 300 yards compared to 9.2 inch for a 55grain vmax in 22-250 at 3750 fps at the same range and conditions.
Its better yes but only by 1.5 inches.

That 1.5 could be the difference between a hit and a miss
KB.

 

[palo]

That 1.5 could be the difference between a hit and a miss
KB.

True but if your not allowing for wind it will be a miss or a wounded fox.

 

[bwganbrain]

I shoot 75gr Hornady Vmax in my 243 and they buck the wind pretty good, but you sometimes have to adjust a little for the wind

 

[Mr Tree]

Most 50gr bullets at 150 yds won't move much to make a difference, especially when fox is sideways on. Wind is more of a problem when trying to keep rifle still when its blowing a hooley.

 

[nocturnaldave]

Have a look at 22 creedmore…. Amazing ballistics.

 

[Scottb123]

I shoot more foxes than I do deer but I run 3 calibres soon to be 4 when I get my variation back

17 hornet I bought this for the smaller places like turkey and geese farms also a few locations on my perms have horses and housesnearby so use this as its super quiet and a hell of a lot safer in terms of ricochets I bought this as a mainly foxes at small quiet places but not 100 confident in the way it drops foxes it will do it no problem but the shot placement has to be spot on I’ve found front bib shot even at 50 yards thrash for a second or too although in the 15 odd foxes I’ve dropped with it none have gone more than 20 yards an have shot out to 230.

22-250 running 50 grain Nosler bt at 3700 is my main fox rifle although even running at that speed I did have a ricochet on stubble this summer

243 running 90 or 70 grain nosler bt 3250/3500 respectively I grab out when harvest is on with a lot of rape stubbles as some are 3 foot high round here also on the windier nights i grabbed it out also brilliant if shooting in dense cover with the 90s works well all round we had 40 mph gusts last week and had 3 one at 210 yards

And soon to be 17 Remington just waiting for my ticket back as I feel this will fill the gap between the hornet and 250 also wanted a semi light walking rifle so this fits the bill I will contour using the hornet but will be more rabbits and crows but with have it place in the small places I shoot too

Scott

 

[shakey jake]

You cannot fix the wind with bigger , longer slipery / higher BC / heavy bullets ! So we have to learn wind calling and adjustment , no way around it ! Remember when its real windy you can get a lot closer to the beast .

I suppose he could practice lamping hares on windy nights?

 

[One on top of two]

I suppose he could practice lamping hares on windy nights?

Or maybe a steel plate , save practicing on live animals would be his best bet .