3 rifles for FAC app. Fox/Vermin only

[suburban bushwacker]

seemed very concerned about the speed that slots get filled.

LOL he's never met a gunsmith - My FEO asked the same, Once. I told him I was nearly at the front of the queue to have my rifle built.

 

[Revan797]

I think an fac air would also be handy for your permission specially if shooting around paddocks and horses with the risk of ricochet I would not use a 22 lr nears horse also look into the hornet family either a 22 or 17 but have found the 17 a bit lacking on foxes does the job but a bit hit and miss brilliant rounds for small perms I’ve shot 22-250 mainly for foxes for years but just added a lightweight 204 rifle for walking and I’ll be honest I’ve fell in love with the 20 cal again

Evening everyone, I hope your well and good , apologies for delayed replies.

Yes I'm giving that consideration now 22 fac air instead as it will suit the paddocks better plus I have a small holding as well 10 acre with animals on and I do have old 30 acre starting permission to go on as well that would work better as well on there.

They are really good 204 Ruger my farmer friend uses 39gr sierra blitzkings bowls them over reet good n proper with a drone Pro sat on top ,

for non reloader though think 22-250, 223 are the better opts.

AJ

 

[Revan797]

I would go .22wmr and .22-250 I wouldn't bother with the LR and a WMR.
Another 3 rifles would be
.22lr for rabbits
.22 hornet for close foxes and crows
.22-250 for long range fox and crows

Thanks cooksey aye them 2 WMR and 22-250 for powder burner, that's a good 3 selection right all do a job there

being non reloader though going to keep costs down like with just 1 22 CF

 

[Revan797]

.22-250 is a great round. However it's a bit harder to get locally to me and also is more expensive.

Realistically, with proper maintenance, you're not gonna shoot a 22-250 barrel out unless you're out a few nights a week, every week.

Last time I bought .223 it was £26.50 a box of 20
That's expensive enough for me!

Edit: the .22-250 is coming in at £34 a box of 20

This is true, nope realistically on those places I have 2-3 nights a week for CF land

My farmer mates lasted a fair old while his 22-250 before needing rebarrel

It is what it is unfortunately but something to deal with at that price least it's not exotic copper factory ammo at 65-70 a box, I don't want or have any other interests, no kids lol so all gravy I say

 

[Revan797]

As per @VSS you have to be able to 100% justify each of them that you request. However you can justify them if you demonstrate reasonable need. In fox and vermin calibres alone I currently have:

3x .22LR, 1x .17HMR, 1x .22WMR, 1x .223 and 1x 22-250.

Daytime, subsonic, night time, long range etc are all reasons for specific set ups. Everyone will argue in favour of their own situation and experiences. Get out with a pal and try a few, see what suits you and your environment. If I had to keep just three for my land and shooting opportunities it would be a CZ .22LR, a CZ.17HMR and a Sako or Tikka .22-250.

Thanks walked up a lot of food for thought

That's very true everyone from their own experiences,

My old friend swore by CZ rimfires wouldn't touch anything else

AJ

 

[Revan797]

22.250 makes you smile every time you pull the trigger ,223 does pretty much the same with less noise .if your pushing out past 300 yrds 22,250 would be better option ,specially if its windy .around paddocks fac air worth considering .

I think my 100 acres really would see the most distance work as the fields are long and wide, quite open. The 45 acres one quite open to elements/windy on the 25 acre patch right on a hill. I am going to go with prob fac air 22 cal

Aye my friend I wish was still here miss him said not much in it unless past 300/275yd shots regular occurrence and you will pick up a v good used 223 over 22-250 used, less noise like you say too and barrels last longer

 

[Revan797]

17 h is superbly quiet I run mine with a hardy of it’s quieter than a hmr and I imagine wil be a touch quieter when I reload some 25s

One of my friends has one of these just blows rabbits up at close range I did see him drop a fox on the spot with at about 100yd, can get quite expensive if you were using for vermin and weren't eating what you shot

He uses wildcat panther mod on his kept the weight down compared to wildcat evo

 

[Revan797]

If it were me I would look at .22LR or FAC air and a .223. If I fancied something in between I’d go .22 hornet and reload, .17 is also an option but I really like the .22.

22-250 is a good option but as a new shooter you probably shouldn’t be pushing shots over 250 yards until you’re up to it (no offence intended but long shots require a lot of practice). .223 will do this all day long and if you reload will be cheaper too, if not reloading you will have more choice of factory ammunition and if looking at secondhand rifles it is far kinder on barrels.

I have, amongst others, a .223 AI and a .243 in the cabinet both for foxing, the .243 is pretty close to the 22-250. If it is really windy and I need to get out the .243 comes out maybe 4/5 times a year. The .223 is out at least once a week and comfortably takes foxes and to 300 yards on a regular basis, rabbits and hares to 200 + as well.

Okay, I’m gaining a couple of hundred feet per second in the Ackley but having run it at regular .223 velocity (50 gr v-max at circa 3400 fps) for a while, the same accuracy and ranges were achievable.

.223 will do your Scottish roe and English munties and CWD, without beating them up with the velocity of the 22-250.

This is true, I would prefer to keep it that way.

I have seen lot of decent 223's available used 22-250 I think I would buy new like howa 1500/weatherby vanguard used would be a real either minter or a pup/lemon

I think the longest fox and deer I've ever shot has been max 170yd when I've been out with a guide had all my other stuff closer the better keeps it more controlled that way 2nd furthest was 150yd. Did once get a roe buck at 25m with 6.5x55 and stalked into pricket at 50m bang flop with 243 and guides loaded 85gr bthp

 

[Revan797]

You making hard work of that, you must have deep pockets 22 rf and 243 is all you need.

Well the job I'm in pays well shootings my only passion no kids or anything to hold me back

I'm keeping it to more simpler Norfolk fac air 22 WMR and 22cf, unfortunately the ground i have not rated for that I believe some counties now limiting max 22cf for fox specifically and only covering for AOLQ on 243,

If I had to get a deer cal I'd either go 270 or 308

 

[Revan797]

22 FAC air rifle, 17 HMR and a .22CF of your choice.

This is one big ears aye to consider

just the 22 WMR and 30gr ammo I've seen people use that combo and drop them on spot like lightning seen people drop them with 17 HMR too though on YouTube but seen runners too

 

[sako85708]

My choice would be a cheap 22rf for subsonic use, maybe a Brno 2E and skip the over rated 17hmr and get a good 22 250 with a day / night scope for all the rest. This would leave room for a Deer legal calibre in the future. You could always get a 22 Hornet / 22 WMR if you feel you need something to bridge the gap.

 

[25 Sharps]

Well the job I'm in pays well shootings my only passion no kids or anything to hold me back

I'm keeping it to more simpler Norfolk fac air 22 WMR and 22cf, unfortunately the ground i have not rated for that I believe some counties now limiting max 22cf for fox specifically and only covering for AOLQ on 243,

If I had to get a deer cal I'd either go 270 or 308

Probably urban myth, the guidance specifically covers conditions where fox is good reason for .243 or 6.5.

 

[25 Sharps]

This is one big ears aye to consider

just the 22 WMR and 30gr ammo I've seen people use that combo and drop them on spot like lightning seen people drop them with 17 HMR too though on YouTube but seen runners too

Had more than one runner with Fox and 30 gr WMR, to the extent that I’ll generally double tap on the odd occasion with 30 gr in the WMR. 40 gr soft points are better.

 

[25 Sharps]

You making hard work of that, you must have deep pockets 22 rf and 243 is all you need.

Or he’s just passionate about shooting, I have a reasonably well paid job, but even with a wife and 2 kids I’m still running 18 rifles , and I enjoy shooting every one!

 

[Revan797]

Had more than one runner with Fox and 30 gr WMR, to the extent that I’ll generally double tap on the odd occasion with 30 gr in the WMR. 40 gr soft points are better.

Ah right is that with Hornady Vmax or the big hollow points from CCI or federal, I know some folk rate the 30gr hp varities and the 30gr CCI stinger looking round +V?. Aye more mass 10gr makes sense it's the better dropper of foxes

Whats been your typical distance with yours 25 sharps 75m?

AJ

 

[25 Sharps]

Ah right is that with Hornady Vmax or the big hollow points from CCI or federal, I know some folk rate the 30gr hp varities and the 30gr CCI stinger looking round +V?. Aye more mass 10gr makes sense it's the better dropper of foxes

Whats been your typical distance with yours 25 sharps 75m?

AJ

The v-max are better but chest shots you still get runners, the CCI TNT are just too explosive, I’ve retrieved them out of rabbits where they’ve not exited, so good chance of a splash on fox but great on rabbits.

The 40 gr are just a bit tougher so better penetration. Ranges, under 100 yards with the WMR for fox but rabbits out to 130-140, furthest was a hare at 167.

Small cartridge for fox though the .22 hornet is king in my opinion, shot loads with mine out to about 160 yards head/chest with a 35 gr v-max or varmageddon I can only ever recall one that didn’t drop on the spot and that was a bad range call from a buddy (I misheard) . Not as flat as the .17 hornet but plenty of mass. It’s the best cartridge for close range (sub 180-200) in my book. Only downside is crap in the wind but the .17 and wmr would be worse.

I miss my hornet! But I picked up a load of very cheap powder for the .223 Ackley so I’m feeding it for around 35p a pop. It’ll do 3600 fps with a 50 gr v-max so good for close in and reaching out a bit further!

 

[Revan797]

The v-max are better but chest shots you still get runners, the CCI TNT are just too explosive, I’ve retrieved them out of rabbits where they’ve not exited, so good chance of a splash on fox but great on rabbits.

The 40 gr are just a bit tougher so better penetration. Ranges, under 100 yards with the WMR for fox but rabbits out to 130-140, furthest was a hare at 167.

Small cartridge for fox though the .22 hornet is king in my opinion, shot loads with mine out to about 160 yards head/chest with a 35 gr v-max or varmageddon I can only ever recall one that didn’t drop on the spot and that was a bad range call from a buddy (I misheard) . Not as flat as the .17 hornet but plenty of mass. It’s the best cartridge for close range (sub 180-200) in my book. Only downside is crap in the wind but the .17 and wmr would be worse.

I miss my hornet! But I picked up a load of very cheap powder for the .223 Ackley so I’m feeding it for around 35p a pop. It’ll do 3600 fps with a 50 gr v-max so good for close in and reaching out a bit further!

Only still a rimmy albeit magnum

They seem to be the most common in rfds as well 30gr vmax with the 30,gr hollow points close 2nd well ones near me,

Yeah keeps all within the animal no visible exit, I do believe Hornady used to do lead free round in it but discontinued it 25gr ftx?

Sensible for fox that keeps It controlled, wowsers good shooting there nice nice you know your rifle and kit,

Aye mass instead of speed with 22 hornet seen the prices for cz rifles and they go for magnum rimfire money in some cases

This is also true WMR/HMR worse for wind compared to them 2. Wow 35p a shot that's good going nice, how long you had your 223 ack improved?

hopefully once I'm all up and running eventually I'd like to reload for 22cf and then if I ever getmy own deer cal reload for that too esp with cost of copper/non lead ammo

AJ

 

[BruceA]

I might be up for a swap or p/x. CZ 455 blue laminate 17 HMR with Sacs mod. Applied for 17 c/f.

 

[Overlay]

22LR, 22 Hornet and 204 or if you may want to go for deer later .243 instead of 204

 

[2Ll’s]

Hello All,

I hope your all well and had a good weekend so far.

I am applying for FAC over spring once I've moved into my new gaffe cannot unfortunately have them where I currently live.

I was thinking 22RF vermin only, 22 WMR for vermin/fox on small holdings and 22-250 fox & vermin for larger places, open fields etc

Largest place I currently have is about 100 acres
Next largest is 45 acres, but has wide open field on one spot 25 acres and up in the hills.

I was just wondering if 223 would be a better option than 22-250 not to stir up a hornets nest just want people's advice and thoughts

I have a farmer friend who uses a 22-250 to very good effect and swears by it.

AJ

I think the same way as you, have 22lr for bunnies etc, 22-250 for foxes and 17 Rem Fireball which comes in handy on foxes if out after bunnies, effective but quiet.