Is this a good Foxing rifle in .223 ?

[ShotKam 0]

I am looking at the Tikka T3x Ace Game rifle in .223 for Foxing, primarily shooting off Rekon tripod (Arca) and using the bipod (Arca) and rear bag.

Most of my permissions I can use the 4x4 to get around or the Mule UTV, which minimises walking distances with the weight of gear I would have to carry. Big fields hence my rifle choice.

200yds nightime / 300yds daytime, with everything in between.

 

[Tim.243]

I am looking at the Tikka T3x Ace Game rifle in .223 for Foxing, primarily shooting off Rekon tripod (Arca) and using the bipod (Arca) and rear bag.

Most of my permissions I can use the 4x4 to get around or the Mule UTV, which minimises walking distances with the weight of gear I would have to carry. Big fields hence my rifle choice.

200yds nightime / 300yds daytime, with everything in between.View attachment 455986

I have shot the same very basic Rem700 .243 for 14 years shot hundreds of foxes with it and heaps of deer it could have been the same in .223
They all shoot a close to 5/6mm round with lots of stuff wrapped around the action.

 

[ShotKam 0]

Can't agree more, although some are easier to shoot at greater ranges than others. Like many things it's a personal choice but I am keen to hear from others who have perhaps used this setup.

 

[farrieral]

Same rifle, different calibre. Have the Ace game cerakote in 6.5prc.

Fantastically accurate and stable platform... .5" groups all day.... but i disliked the chassis for stalking so have switched it out for a MDT XRS.

But for stationary, setup and wait style foxing I'd say it will be a fantastic choice!

 

[nocturnaldave]

It’s a tikka! Of course it will work! Yeap everybody has their own tastes and preferences but they will certainly trim foxes reliably!

 

[ShotKam 0]

Same rifle, different calibre. Have the Ace game cerakote in 6.5prc.

Fantastically accurate and stable platform... .5" groups all day.... but i disliked the chassis for stalking so have switched it out for a MDT XRS.

But for stationary, setup and wait style foxing I'd say it will be a fantastic choice!

6.5prc so multipurpose, ideal. Where did the chassis fall short for stalking if you don't mind me asking? I was planning to get that MDT XRS stock but it cost more time I added the full length Arca and had to find a donor rifle of course.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Tacticool or Walnut & blue... the foxes won't know what hit 'en when that Vmax hits 'em between the eyes...

A mate has an Ace Game in 22.250... he seems to do rather well with his....

 

[farrieral]

6.5prc so multipurpose, ideal. Where did the chassis fall short for stalking if you don't mind me asking? I was planning to get that MDT XRS stock but it cost more time I added the full length Arca and had to find a donor rifle of course.

I loved it for target/gong work and shooting prone.

But for quick set up on sticks I couldn't get on with it, the skeletonised rear of the stock didn't sit on the back half of quad sticks quite right.

It was noisy in the way if you were going through brush or trees you get that tinny metal noise.

I've taken a fair quota of deer with it but decided it was time to change the stock into something a little more traditional in style but still had good fit and functionality, so the XRS is what I chose and I very much like it

 

[ShotKam 0]

I loved it for target/gong work and shooting prone.

But for quick set up on sticks I couldn't get on with it, the skeletonised rear of the stock didn't sit on the back half of quad sticks quite right.

It was noisy in the way if you were going through brush or trees you get that tinny metal noise.

I've taken a fair quota of deer with it but decided it was time to change the stock into something a little more traditional in style but still had good fit and functionality, so the XRS is what I chose and I very much like it

Have you still got the Ace stock ?

 

[farrieral]

Have you still got the Ace stock ?

No sir, a chap off here purchased it!

 

[VSS]

Funny looking thing.

 

[ShotKam 0]

I have shot the same very basic Rem700 .243 for 14 years shot hundreds of foxes with it and heaps of deer it could have been the same in .223
They all shoot a close to 5/6mm round with lots of stuff wrapped around the action.

I am looking at the Tikka T3x Ace Game rifle in .223 for Foxing, primarily shooting off Rekon tripod (Arca) and using the bipod (Arca) and rear bag.

Most of my permissions I can use the 4x4 to get around or the Mule UTV, which minimises walking distances with the weight of gear I would have to carry. Big fields hence my rifle choice.

200yds nightime / 300yds daytime, with everything in between.View attachment 455986

This Rifle weighs : 8.8 lbs ( 4kg ) with 20" barrel and 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg ) with 24" barrel. 2 questions - 1) Do you think there is any advantage having a 24" over 20" barrel ? 2) This will be the heaviest Rifle I have ever owned and the 20" at 8 lb 13 oz + 2lb 5oz scope + 8oz ish torch = 12lbs approx. Is this manageable for foxing, mainly ambush, walking perhaps 2 fields from vehicle to setup on Rekon. ?

Complete other end of scale is a Tikka T3X Lite 20" + ir scope + torch + 8lbs approx. Any opinions most appreciated.

 

[Tim.243]

This Rifle weighs : 8.8 lbs ( 4kg ) with 20" barrel and 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg ) with 24" barrel. 2 questions - 1) Do you think there is any advantage having a 24" over 20" barrel ? 2) This will be the heaviest Rifle I have ever owned and the 20" at 8 lb 13 oz + 2lb 5oz scope + 8oz ish torch = 12lbs approx. Is this manageable for foxing, mainly ambush, walking perhaps 2 fields from vehicle to setup on Rekon. ?

Complete other end of scale is a Tikka T3X Lite 20" + ir scope + torch + 8lbs approx. Any opinions most appreciated.

Years ago we had big lamps and a battery and often a lamp man so it was rifle scope mod and sticks, I then used a NM800 with a white pill so it was a lot lighter. We used to carry a lot of ferreting kit then possibly a dozen rabbits back, People want to save a few oz's on a mod then shoot a 50kg deer lol.
One thing with foxing is most of the time they can go in the hedge, when I sent them in for testing that can add a bit of weight coming back from a mile walk back. Having done my fair share of hod carrying and digging footings pushing wheel barrows up and into a skip carrying a rifle has never been an issue. Get what you really want to buy.

 

[ShotKam 0]

Years ago we had big lamps and a battery and often a lamp man so it was rifle scope mod and sticks, I then used a NM800 with a white pill so it was a lot lighter. We used to carry a lot of ferreting kit then possibly a dozen rabbits back, People want to save a few oz's on a mod then shoot a 50kg deer lol.
One thing with foxing is most of the time they can go in the hedge, when I sent them in for testing that can add a bit of weight coming back from a mile walk back. Having done my fair share of hod carrying and digging footings pushing wheel barrows up and into a skip carrying a rifle has never been an issue. Get what you really want to buy.

Ha Ha - sounds just like me. I was the small child who carried the car battery and never complained, add to that the gamebag full of paunched rabbits. This rifle set up on the Rekon tripod will be a deadly .223 firearm without question.

 

[Smellydog]

which minimises walking distances with the weight of gear I would have to carry.

I'm not understanding this at all.
Fox's right? They come to you don't they!?

 

[ShotKam 0]

Of course they may, but not always for many reasons we all understand. Also I like a sporting shot, you wouldn't shoot a 20 yard driven Pheasant, others opinions will differ, which is fair enough.

 

[Smellydog]

Of course they may, but not always for many reasons we all understand. Also I like a sporting shot, you wouldn't shoot a 20 yard driven Pheasant, others opinions will differ, which is fair enough.

I would with a 410.
Still don't understand.

 

[ShotKam 0]

I would with a 410.
Still don't understand.

Most of my permissions I can use the 4x4 to get around or the Mule UTV, which minimises walking distances with the weight of gear I would have to carry is I did not have transport. This rifle is heavy and the Rekon is not exactly light, however it is probably one of the the most ideal tripod shooting rifles on the market as it's specifically designed for long range shooting, particularly in daylight hours when ranges can be stretched. Each to there own but being able to shoot accurately at range can save a lot of time. We all have our own way of controlling foxes and learn what works for ourselves.

 

[Smellydog]

Most of my permissions I can use the 4x4 to get around or the Mule UTV, which minimises walking distances with the weight of gear I would have to carry is I did not have transport. This rifle is heavy and the Rekon is not exactly light, however it is probably one of the the most ideal tripod shooting rifles on the market as it's specifically designed for long range shooting, particularly in daylight hours when ranges can be stretched. Each to there own but being able to shoot accurately at range can save a lot of time. We all have our own way of controlling foxes and learn what works for ourselves.

What kind of distances?

 

[ShotKam 0]

200m max at night, 300 ish daytime if wind not an issue with this particular rifle (any further daytime .260 it is - Hornady 143-gr ELC-X )