Accurate small calibre.

[bgkahuna]

shame to hear youve had 17HMR issues - mine has been spot on with some feeding issues bit thats a magazine issue and accuracy is great

 

[the prowler]

Or get a 20vartarg.

 

[kenbro]

It depends on the calibre, bullet construction and shot angle. Facing away and with a good 6mm+ rifle, aiming for the chocolate starfish will put it down. It's not a shot I'd take with a .22 calibre varmint bullet but my .25-06 shooting 102gr Yew Tree copper drops them on the spot, the whole cavity is turned to soup.

As for what calibre, I wouldn't drop below .222/.223 for a foxing rifle. I prefer a .22-250 and a .243 is better still. I've used all the common .17's, none of them are ideal. The lighter the bullet the more likely it is to fragment if it hits bone. Even a rib can mess with a .17.

I’ve had a few rib slashes with 17 Rem in years gone by.
I found the best bullet was the 25 grain Hornady soft point going a bit slower that what the 17 Rem is capable of.
Ken.

 

[greencurly]

.223 takes no prisoners, very accurate readily available reloading materials as it is a military calibre.

 

[Smellydog]

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?

A 308 up the arse does work though Ben
And 3030.

 

[stubear]

Just my experience but .22 hornet or .222 - love them both. 35gn VMAX in the hornet, 50gn VMAX in the .222 equals dead foxes

 

[greencurly]

Moose, Texas heart shot dropped loke a stone. 375 H&H Mag.

 

[BenBhoy]

Not doubting 308 would work - my point was more about "thinking" on shot placement.

 

[Jackal8]

Close or reasonably far, the 223 will deliver. There’s no modern rifle that doesn’t come in 223, ammunition available everywhere, and hits where you point it with minimal recoil. I’m very satisfied with the calibre.

 

[greencurly]

Not doubting 308 would work - my point was more about "thinking" on shot placement.

223 shot placement isn't a major issue. .308 most certainly isn't.

 

[JTO]

Factory 22 hornet ammo will cost more than 223.
223 for barrel life, also, compared to say 22-250
A 1:8 223 will handle 80gr bullets if you want knock-down.

 

[BenBhoy]

Must admit, threads like this make an OP tear hair out!! Ignore his stated requirements, and just tell him what we use!!

 

[Dodder]

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.

Agree 100% - just my opinion but I personally think .22rf is not suitable for charlie and I wouldn't want to use one or an hmr. Yes of course they can be effective at close range and with good bullet placement but far from ideal and very little margin for error.
A .20 or .22cf (or bigger) is a much better choice. I used to use a .22-250 and it was instant lights out even if due to pilot error the shot placement wasn't perfect - never had one even twitch and to me a humane despatch is the most important thing.

 

[Smellydog]

Agree 100% - just my opinion but I personally think .22rf is not suitable for charlie and I wouldn't want to use one or an hmr. Yes of course they can be effective at close range and with good bullet placement but far from ideal and very little margin for error.
A .20 or .22cf (or bigger) is a much better choice. I used to use a .22-250 and it was instant lights out even if due to pilot error the shot placement wasn't perfect - never had one even twitch and to me a humane despatch is the most important thing.

I've seen a failure from the 250! Many actually.
Use the wrong bullet and it, like others will fail.
Unfortunately the owner of said rifle was stubborn and wouldn't admit his choice of bullet for his choice in rifle was not working until many fails later.
Eventually he agreed to try a different bullet and then it suddenly started to work.

If rating a rifle on a fox not moving one single inch on being shot is the paramount I recommend 270 Winchester or 308 and 3006.

 

[dillieboy]

Where you based us 22lr and 17hmr a legal calibre fox. I am sure my FO saud I would need a min of .223 or similar. Not sure what the rules are north of border? Actually doubting I heard right about the .22lr and 17hmr.

 

[Smellydog]

There is no minimum in law for shooting fox.

 

[Robby56]

Where you based us 22lr and 17hmr a legal calibre fox. I am sure my FO saud I would need a min of .223 or similar. Not sure what the rules are north of border? Actually doubting I heard right about the .22lr and 17hmr.

When I applied for my FAC, I put down .223 for foxes, but when the FEO visited he informed me that the land wasn't cleared for CF, so suggested 17HMR, and said it would be fine for foxes.
Guess it's just pot luck on who visits.

 

[Dr.Dolittle]

Based on your requirements 22 Hornet or .222. Both will do the job absolutely fine and with more authority than the HMR.

Take a trip to your local shop and see what's in stock for the hornet and other .22CFs - that will probably dictate what you go for in the end more than anything else.

 

[MilesW]

Factory 22 hornet ammo will cost more than 223.

Surely for the average operator, there must be a round count per year where any amount under that is really not relevant and shouldn't influence the calibre selection. Is an inappropriate rifle that you are not happy with worth a few quid less in ammo cost?

 

[MilesW]

If a 22 Hornet won’t shoot worth a hoot…how do you sort it to shoot factory ammo accurately?
Ken.

The .22 hornet can be finicky and there are plenty who have solved their woes with handloads. The OP didn't give the impression of a being a handloader so the suggestion was to get one proven to shoot factory fodder. The assumption was he would be buying secondhand.
I fixed one by lopping 7" off the barrel. Shot factory factory ammo as well as handloads after that.