Days gone by

[Blade929]

Maybe showing my age but I can remember the day when a 22lr was the largest calibre granted for fox in some regions. How everything has changed and taken in the ability to produce a humane kill.

 

[bluesako]

i dont shoot any foxes with a 22lr 22c/f does the job better

 

[Tim.243]

Maybe showing my age but I can remember the day when a 22lr was the largest calibre granted for fox in some regions. How everything has changed and taken in the ability to produce a humane kill.

A lot of farms I picked up were only cleared for .22lr now cleared for .243 One farm I shot with Dad and his .22lr was in 1975 @14

 

[Blade929]

i dont shoot any foxes with a 22lr 22c/f does the job better

I agree, I was sharing how it was years ago and how the approach has changed over the years.

 

[Greener Jim]

We have seen some improvements haven't we.
When I first started there were old boys at the club who still talked about open tickets like things of legend, only to be had on your first renewal and even then only if you could document experience rivalling WDM Bell.

 

[Freeforester]

Time was when the .22lr was legal for use on roe deer in Scotland. In the right hands it was pretty effective, Henry Tegner shot many a roe with a semi automatic .22.

Equally, in the wrong hands, a lot of destruction can be caused with the larger calibres, for no discernible improvement in terms of lethality. I had a fondness for the 1oz Impax load in my shotgun, which I always found perfectly adequate for doing the job, ie delivering sufficient lethality to the quarry but without destroying the food value of the bird or rabbit; similarly, with a decent bullet (nearly always Norma’s 50grain soft point semi pointed) the .222 was and still is a great round for either fox or roe deer.

 

[Mr Tree]

Time was when the .22lr was legal for use on roe deer in Scotland. In the right hands it was pretty effective, Henry Tegner shot many a roe with a semi automatic .22.

Equally, in the wrong hands, a lot of destruction can be caused with the larger calibres, for no discernible improvement in terms of lethality. I had a fondness for the 1oz Impax load in my shotgun, which I always found perfectly adequate for doing the job, ie delivering sufficient lethality to the quarry but without destroying the food value of the bird or rabbit; similarly, with a decent bullet (nearly always Norma’s 50grain soft point semi pointed) the .222 was and still is a great round for either fox or roe deer.

Shot a few reds in NZ with that combo, I dont know if they still make factory ammo in that weight anymore, 52 or 54 grain I believe.

 

[Rhodesianjess]

I had my 243 for deer and fox with my first keepering job. Moved to another county with a new job,was told nothing above 222 for fox. Argued the point and was granted it. Every other keeper I met was only allowed 222 or Hornet.
Now AOLQ with most calibres.
Remember when we used to shoot a litter of cubs at a sitting with an unmoderated rifle, multiple loud cracks never scattered them. All whilst using a million candlepower lamp.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I had my 243 for deer and fox with my first keepering job. Moved to another county with a new job,was told nothing above 222 for fox. Argued the point and was granted it. Every other keeper I met was only allowed 222 or Hornet.
Now AOLQ with most calibres.
Remember when we used to shoot a litter of cubs at a sitting with an unmoderated rifle, multiple loud cracks never scattered them. All whilst using a million candlepower lamp.

Back in the good old days!

 

[reelme]

Dad carrying the .22 Bruno and me with the 12volt battery in a rucksack hoping it doesn’t spill down my back and carrying a lamp made from a, I think mini headlight with a old wooden pan handle as the grip that he’d got from the scrappers. Things have certainly changed .old memories