.243 calibre for fox control

[Nick703]

i have a 243 for fox,i use 58g hornaday superformance

 

[Triggermortis]

In truth it matters not what you hit a fox with out of a .243 in terms of stopping power , but I do think maybe having a flatter faster round at least on paper may have more of an effect on the shooters confidence.
I use 100g sp’s in my T3 and 75g V-max in the M18, but only because that’s what I zeroed them with.

 

[Puds]

My dedicated foxing rifle is a .243, using 58gr vmax. It kills them dead.

 

[andychas]

Long time fan of 6mm (was 243, now 6XC) for fox control, extremely effective. I always use the 87gn Vmax, but given the availability Id happily look at any of the others.

 

[Bowland blades]

for many years i have used 243 on fox and deer. It is a close match to the 22-250 when shot with 55 and 58 grn varmint bullets . I much prefer 70 grain Nosler BT ( which is a great Roe deer and smaller round also ) expends well out to 600 yards but doesn't get too messy on deer at 100 yards plus, close shoot them head and neck . Only issue with std deer bullets in 243 foxing is they are built to retain weight and often have minimum ability to open out in a fox shot side on in the chest cavity. Not uncommon at all to what them go down well and have them get up and run . They will drop its just a case of where . To avoid shoot them bib to bum or the other way , if its Innoviant to not be able to collect the carcass.

 

[Ranger22]

I use a 243 for foxing. Tried the v max and wasn’t to impressed with them moved over to Sierra 70gr blitz king, more accurate and do the business very well

 

[cjm1066]

Just get yourself a .22 hornet... you know it makes sense

Sorry but if f you are changing rifles, a 222 Sako would be ideal

 

[Fishdoc49]

Yes that is true !!! A .222-50 Sako would be ideal as I do get on well with that calibre for foxing but the .243 Sako is a great rifle in mint condition so a bit loath to sell it really .That’s why the question of how people get on with the .243 with smaller grain bullets. A lot seem to rate it very highly to be fair .Thanks .

 

[Bowland blades]

Yes that is true !!! A .222-50 Sako would be ideal as I do get on well with that calibre for foxing but the .243 Sako is a great rifle in mint condition so a bit loath to sell it really .That’s why the question of how people get on with the .243 with smaller grain bullets. A lot seem to rate it very highly to be fair .Thanks .

put it this way if some police areas where more willing to put 243 on as a dedicated fox rifle over the last couple of decades , i doubt the 22-250 would be anything like as popular in the uk

 

[Doric]

Hi. Does anyone shoot a .243 for fox control with a small grain v max head if so how do you get on with that combo and what ammunition are you using .The reason I ask is I have an old Ruger 77 in .222-50 which I use for my foxing at present but it’s getting a bit tired .I also have a Sako .243 which is a much nicer gun imo.I had thought of going over to the .243 for my fox shooting but wanted some advice . Thank you .

243 and 22.250 are the cream of the bunch. My preference is for the 243 75 grain Vmax nails then 55 grain Vmax shreds them.

 

[Big Si]

Interesting thread, I use .223 for fox at the moment but I have a .243 for deer, in the process of getting a variation for .308 for deer so I may be using the .243 for fox instead, thanks for all the advice

 

[Bo Diddley]

Sorry but if f you are changing rifles, a 222 Sako would be ideal

I secretly wish my Hornet was a triple deuce sometimes

 

[VSS]

In my 243 I used to use a 60grn for foxes and 100grn for deer. Now I just use the same 100grn for both. Saves faffing about.

 

[Triggermortis]

I secretly wish my Hornet was a triple deuce sometimes

I too once felt the same, so I bought a .222 but I soon found out the deuce is addictive, now I have two of them, still got the hornet though

 

[Jimbob39]

75gn strike tip Norma are like lasers in my rifle. Used them for everything so far And live them

 

[3.5mag]

75gr Vmax over N160 for fox & Roe. Going back 15yrs I used to use 75gr Rem Accutip, these were surprisingly more explosive on Roe than the Vmax.
Both excellent on fox

 

[User00035]

I use 58 gr Hornady Superformance. Extremely accurate in my Sako 75. Needless to say, extremely effective too..

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Hit a fox last year at about 75 yards with my 243 using 55 grain balistic tips.

Literally ripped it into two parts with a side on chest shot.

Don't think you will struggle with a 243 what so ever....

 

[Colonel]

I have used the 243 for fox to reds with 95gr SST, but a friend of mine uses 58gr V-max with 42gr N140 at around 3400fps in his 243, and loves it

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

If you already have the .243, would you not just go give it a whirl?