And nothing wrong with that, I shoot some weird stuff where a run of the mill cartridge would do the job just fine!
223 or 243
- Thread starter GSD 23
- Start date
I have 223 & 243 foxing setups,did think about getting a 204 but couldn’t think of any benefits I’d get over what I’ve got,both mine are pretty flat out to around 300y
I think the 204R shines because of the bullets available for them, which are all frangible. End result is that most animals the size of a fox or coyote just fall over dead, as most of the energy gets dumped into the animal.
Now, that being said, if you want to keep the pelts, then the 204 is most definitely not the one you want...unless you have a lot of time on your hands, and are good with a needle and thread. But for anchoring predators down, at longer ranges, the .20's really do shine. But they tear up hides. Out to 400yds is not an uncommon, or unthinkable shot, even in the wind.
JMTCW... (and yes, I'm biased; I have a .20 Tactical).
Now, that being said, if you want to keep the pelts, then the 204 is most definitely not the one you want...unless you have a lot of time on your hands, and are good with a needle and thread. But for anchoring predators down, at longer ranges, the .20's really do shine. But they tear up hides. Out to 400yds is not an uncommon, or unthinkable shot, even in the wind.
JMTCW... (and yes, I'm biased; I have a .20 Tactical).
Free range rob
Well-Known Member
Some good points raised so far.
I have 22-250 as a dedicated night rifle with thermal scope on top, I love it, deadly accurate, pushed it some fair distances with same result every time, foxes just drop on the spot.
I also have .223, and I use that as my day rifle for munt and CWD, I am in love with this rifle and it has filled my walk in chiller many many times over without fail.
I have also taken plenty of chance fox encounters whilst out stalking with very similiar results to the 22-250
I spent years shooting a 243 on both fox and deer, also a great calibre, versatile with good punch to it.
I no longer use 243, but it would be a difficult choice to decide between the other two smaller rifles, both are bloody excellent, and possibly the only thing between them would be
Barrel wear
Cost and availability of ammo
.223 wins on both counts, but I’m still not parting with the 22-250
If you want a pure dedicated fox rig, I would go the more expensive running 22-250, smiles all the way, untill you burn your barrel out
I have 22-250 as a dedicated night rifle with thermal scope on top, I love it, deadly accurate, pushed it some fair distances with same result every time, foxes just drop on the spot.
I also have .223, and I use that as my day rifle for munt and CWD, I am in love with this rifle and it has filled my walk in chiller many many times over without fail.
I have also taken plenty of chance fox encounters whilst out stalking with very similiar results to the 22-250
I spent years shooting a 243 on both fox and deer, also a great calibre, versatile with good punch to it.
I no longer use 243, but it would be a difficult choice to decide between the other two smaller rifles, both are bloody excellent, and possibly the only thing between them would be
Barrel wear
Cost and availability of ammo
.223 wins on both counts, but I’m still not parting with the 22-250
If you want a pure dedicated fox rig, I would go the more expensive running 22-250, smiles all the way, untill you burn your barrel out
Hairysausagefingers
Well-Known Member
I have both, but far prefer the .223 for foxing. Less smoke and noise, uses about half the powder and you stand a far better chance of seeing the impact due to the low recoil. Half the time you are just waiting for the tell-tale confirmation "thump" with the .243. Keeping the sight picture is the main thing for me.
Similar threads
