Originally Posted by
Monkey SpankerGet a 25.06 mate! Not much bigger than the .243 but has enough clout for any deer in the uk, flatter than the .270 and would not be considered excessive (probably???) for foxes whereas the .270 might be. A great all-round calibre!
MS
Unless you live in Cambridgeshire or Staffordshire!
I'll just have to get a .223as well
A .25-06 is demonstrably 'bigger' than a .243, and isn't as flat long range as a .270 if bullets of exactly the same sectional density & coefficient are used in each ... but I don't think that was your query.
There are two issues here, and it's never clear to me which one's being asked about.
The first is whether you
can lamp with a .270. Your previous post said you had slots for .243 (sold) and a .270 (unfilled), so you're looking for a single all-rounder? Presumably Deer is the primary quarry use with Fox as the secondary, as you're unlikely to get either for Fox alone. That's the policy in Cambs., and I've no idea about Staffs.... but licensing isn't your problem. Maybe you're concerned about whether the FLD might think it's OTT for lamping? You already have implicit permission for this with the secondary use, so that shouldn't be a concern to anyone.
The second issue is whether a .270 sounds louder than a .243 if, as you say, both are moderated. It obviously depends on the efficiency of the suppression on each, but I've been 25 yards downrange a few yards to the side of both calibres in different setups. The .270
is louder. I'd estimate this at about 15% - 20%, but that difference will diminish at greater distances in the neighbourhood. If you spend more time lamping than stalking ... and always will ... then replace your .243 as your only rifle. If you're going to do more stalking then buy a .270 instead, and make do. It's a superior deer calibre to a .243, and the .25-06 is too big to be a compromise calibre for Fox IMO. I don't think the .243 is the best compromise for Deer either. .... so if you're after both quarry then fill both the slots you've earned. Life is boring with just one rifle.