Accurate small calibre.

[purdeydog]

Evening all.

What’s people views on the most accurate small caliber for foxes. I need them dead, not running on. obviously shot placement blah blah.

I’ve been using a 17hmr but it’s so unreliable I can’t trust it. It goes bang bang on the money and then next shot just goes anywhere it likes. I know a few others who have the exact same issue.

Im looking for a small safe calibre, but still accurate. Only needs to be over short distances. Something in the 17/22 family.

I might go back to my 22lr it was accurate and if it missed I knew it was me, don’t think i ever shot a fox with it.

Cheers

 

[topscots1]

If rimfire go 22 WMR in a decent rifle with the correct ammunition will be consistent. If you want to leap to a centrefire a 17 hornet, 222,223,22-250.

They will all do the job. Lots of other calibres will be recommended in the right rifle with the right ammo they will all work. The most accurate is very much down to the individual.

 

[the prowler]

22lr is ok for fox. Close range. But prefer a center fire in most cases. I only use subs in my annie.

 

[Stumpy2]

.17 or 22 hornet, 222, 223.

Depends on range you want to shoot them at, .22lr subs in the right place work, so does .17hmr, perhaps get to the bottom of what’s causing the .17hmr inconsistency?

 

[Jagged77]

.22 Hornet might be worth a look? I got great accuracy out of my CZ but was incredibly mild to shoot with a mod. Nice in between chambering.

 

[Rake Aboot]

.222
.223
.204
Etc

 

[Smellydog]

Evening all.

What’s people views on the most accurate small caliber for foxes. I need them dead, not running on. obviously shot placement blah blah.

I’ve been using a 17hmr but it’s so unreliable I can’t trust it. It goes bang bang on the money and then next shot just goes anywhere it likes. I know a few others who have the exact same issue.

Im looking for a small safe calibre, but still accurate. Only needs to be over short distances. Something in the 17/22 family.

I might go back to my 22lr it was accurate and if it missed I knew it was me, don’t think i ever shot a fox with it.

Cheers

What rifle you using? I've never experienced what you describe.
With any current rimfire you CAN expect them to run on a bit.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

Despite owning and loving my 17 hornet- I wouldn't suggest it for regular fox work. It's capeable- but not as a regular tool IMO.

A 22 CF just gives you so much more authority. It's less affected by the wind- and whilst there's no substitute for accuracy- gives you a little more reassurance and forgiveness. I have also never had a 22CF blow up on the shoulder. I have with a 17 Hornet.

All modern 22CF calibres are equally accurate - provided the shooter, gun and ammo are the same.

Buy any 22CF you wish (or a 204 ruger)- and enjoy a brilliant foxing tool out to all sensible ranges with minimal recoil.

 

[Cyres]

.204 Ruger. 20 TAC if you want custom.
17 Remington Fireball but needs precise shot placement.
D

 

[Longstrider]

.204 Ruger. All day and all night.

 

[PEA]

204 is great but you do need to think about shot placement..

 

[BenBhoy]

204 hands down, what it was made for.

 

[BenBhoy]

204 is great but you do need to think about shot placement..

With respect, I think we should all the "think"ing about that always a anyway, every shot every calibre. Just because your using a 308 doesn't make it ok to shoot it in the arse!? No?

 

[MilesW]

Evening all.

"What’s people views on the most accurate small caliber for foxes"
"I’ve been using a 17hmr but it’s so unreliable I can’t trust it"
"Im looking for a small safe calibre, but still accurate. Only needs to be over short distances. Something in the 17/22 family"

That brief just screams .22 hornet. Should not be too hard to find a well sorted one at reasonable money. By well sorted, I mean accurate with factory ammo.

 

[old 30-06]

purdydog, Lots of advice here, but I think some are missing the point that you want a small calibre for close range. A 22-250 is not what you want at all. A 22 hornet is your best bet, followed closely by a 222 Remington if you wanted to extend the range a tad.

 

[Kevgun]

Out of all the calibres mentioned I would think .223 is the most used one, it's probably the easiest to get ammunition for, I use one for Urban Foxing on with a 40gr vmax I get no exit and the job is neat and tidy and quiet

 

[Kevgun]

I know how you feel, I have a .17HMR and if someone said you have to get rid of one of your Rifles, I'd quite happily cut it into small pieces with a angle grinder and throw it in the dustbin

 

[Sol]

Better question Is how far are we shooting these? If your shooting them over 80-100 yards and need them *dead dead* a .22H might not do the job as well as folks are pointing out here? some of the other calibres mentioned here do a bit better job regarding take down power.

223 will be legal for roe In Scotland and Is plenty capable at taking over vermin If needed (although, bit more expensive per shot.....)

 

[purdeydog]

Some great replies many thanks.

Anything with 3 numbers in it is too much. I did have a 204. Really good rifle.

Ok leaning towards 22cf or 17 hornet.

 

[6mmAI]

Some great replies many thanks.

Anything with 3 numbers in it is too much. I did have a 204. Really good rifle.

Ok leaning towards 22cf or 17 hornet.

I solely used a 6mmAI as my everyday truck / quad gun for 7 years, had a second after a couple months Togo as a dedicated nv rifle as I couldn’t see past it as it fitted the bill for what I wanted.
However I have moved estates and where I am now I have huge volumes of squirrels and the 6mm although working well was causing quite high ammo bills for the boss, so I got a hmr sold that after a couple months due to running foxes. And I’ve gone down the 17rem road, I wish I did years ago, smooth to shoot, zeroed .75” high at 100 puts me .80” low at 300 with a 25grain v-max @4000 fps. The foxes I’ve shot have fell to the shot. And on occasions put a torch on and took it lamping and been very satisfied with the results.