Fox & .22RF

[njc110381]

In this situation I wouldn't be worried about if the round will kill the Fox, rather where it could end up. For a couple of years I was too scared to shoot my .22lr on any of my shoots and just used it at the range. It's frightening how many bullets ricochet even on ground I would normally consider ok! I don't know the site but by the sound of the size of it I'd be more keen to use an air rifle on the bunnies and the .22lr on Foxes baited to a suitable target point. Compost heaps, ton sacks of sand, a wall of railway sleepers - all will stop the bullet in it's tracks and that's what you need to be 100% certain of here. In a field a zinger will fall to earth and do no harm but in an estate it could be a complete disaster!

Back on topic I've shot many Foxes in urban gardens using the above methods. Yes it will kill them cleanly if you use it properly but there is little room for error and ranges need to be close. If they are urban Foxes consider a cage trap. They're seriously good when it comes to dumb Foxes that are used to human scent and the unnatural food they leave about the place!

 

[crawfordjohn]

I used to shoot foxes all the time with an old BSA .22 bolt action.However I moved district and the new policeman who came to see me told me I would need to use a minimum .22 magnum which I purchased .It is an Anchutz and a better gun I have not had.There were occasions at night where shooting with the .22 resulted in wounded beasts and long searches with dogs,the magnum has much more power and generally drops them on the spot.

 

[bewsher500]

find a suitable spot in the land and start baiting it.
a nice downward trajectory into some soft ground and your .22 will do the job just fine.
one thing about shooting relatively urban foxes at close range with subsonic ammo is you can often get a second fox very quickly if you leave the first one where it drops.

dont get that with either a full bore or a 22wmr. no amount of moderator gets rid of the crack on my .22wmr. much louder than the .17HMR

 

[norma 308]

Shame the local plods don't include fox within pest or vermin, it's a named species on ticket.

I'm sure you're right, on my ticket 22RF has shooting vermin, ground game and zero-ing. I have a 22/250, 243, 308, all have fox next to the category. Do I have a problem? Thanks very much for bringing this to my attention I am due a visit from plod shortly as my wife has just applied for her ticket. Just what this forum is for, much obliged.

 

[bignoel]

i have fox on my 22lr .but i do urban fox control. placement shot head only and to be honest i dont shoot much further than 25 yrds always a pre baited area chosen by myself .the 22 is more than capable at this type of range and beyound .the trouble is a lot of fao dont have a clue i applied for a 22 rimfire pistol with mod so i didnt have to carry a rifle case down any streets in london and i could be descreet to dispatch caged foxes .i was refused instead i had to get a huge pistol unmoderated and carry it holsterd on my hip like frigging jhon wayne and we all know what a unmodeated pistol sounds like .my fao is into golf and never had a firearms in his life mybe i should apply for 5 iron for the job .

 

[old keeper]

There must be variations in police areas, as my FAC shows all weapons held can be used for fox/deer/vermin control, There is no specifics applied as to which weapon should be used. I have a range of rifles from FAC rated air rifles to 7x57 CF.
As far as suitability is concerned 22RF as has been said is fine out to 70 yards, in the sort of situation described I would think this would be no problem. Still got to be careful though!!!