howa .243 or Tikka .222 for fox

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BelMali

Well-Known Member
In the market for a fox rifle and I have an option to purchase a Howa in
.243, its new, or a Tikka T3 in .222, this is used. Howa is a bare rifle and the Tikka is a complete setup. (Rifle, Scope, Mod, Bipod, Sling)

Im not looking to stir a debate on fox calibers now Im just looking for feedback. On a sidenote the Tikka is a bargain around £500(€600), I know the fella selling, rifle saw 3 boxes of ammo and sat in the safe.

I already have a .308 for Deer, so I am tempted by the .222 but the .243 could be used for fox and deer. Ammo price is irrelevant, Im in Ireland and they run around the same price/box.

Thoughts?
 
Thanks for the feedback, the one Ive been offered is the original T3, although Ive seen the groups, its the same.

Don't have those deer species here, afaik, allegedly some muntjac, but I'll only be using it on Fox.
 
I've not seen a massive amount of 222 ammo in shops in Ireland. Much more availibility of 243 in various grain weights, and if you're not shooting in areas where noise is an issue it'd be 243 for me. It's defn worth having a backup for your deer rifle if you ever have the cause to need it. I had a issue with my Deer rifle a few seasons ago, luckily it was during the off season. But it had me regretting not going for a deer legal calibre with my foxing gun.
 
I had to go onlime to see what .222 availability was like, a good few shops, that deliver, seem to keep it in stock. My plan be would be if .222 dried up in Ireland just get it rebarreled. Although the points you make is why I was looking at .243, however noise is a factor where it'll be mainly used.
 
Go for the treble 2,set it up 30mm high at 100yds and it'll kill everything you put a crossfire on out to 250yds,just make sure the rifle has been stored with the moderator off.
243 is more costly to run, noisier,doesn't kill a fox any better and it's a Howa
 
If you’ve already a deer calibre, go for the 222 quiet and very little recoil, very accurate, you don’t have to re load for a very accurate round I use mine for Muntjac and foxing it does the job perfectly mine likes 35 grn hornady super performance Enjoy, a lovedly calibfrde
 
If it was me I’d be choosing the .222, I have a Blaser r93 in said calibre and I love it! However I don’t love it as much as my Tikka 595 also in .222 it’s probably the sweetest calibre out there and renowned for its accuracy! I have a 22-250& 243 but I prefer the.222 …. Enough said 😊👍👍
 
Can’t really believe I’m saying this. But .243
Bucks the wind better, Carry’s more energy at range, better range of bullets. In my experience no more expensive to run than my .222.
 
Thanks for all the feedback lads!! A lot of .222 fans. Tbh I knew nothing about it until I was offered it. Ammo is a little hard got in Ireland but at the same time its for hunting not target shooting.
 
I'm in Ireland as well, and have both. There is no comparison for ammo availability between the two. 243 is the clear winner on that. It's a slightly higher risk that you won't find a 222 round to suit the Tikka. Off the top of my head there is about 5 different factory loadings available that I can find for the 222 and availability can be patchy. Just so you know. I find the Sako or Horndy superformance the best.
 
Personally I use a .223 for foxing with a night vision Pulsar C50 fitted to it.

The recoil is light enough that you can watch the shot until it makes contact which I feel is quite nice, as you can be sure that the shot was humane and did the desired job especially if you are on your own and don’t have somebody watching through a thermal.
 
Sdoc said:
I'm in Ireland as well, and have both. There is no comparison for ammo availability between the two. 243 is the clear winner on that. It's a slightly higher risk that you won't find a 222 round to suit the Tikka. Off the top of my head there is about 5 different factory loadings available that I can find for the 222 and availability can be patchy. Just so you know. I find the Sako or Horndy superformance the best.
Click to expand...

Yea I did check what ammo availability is like, theres a few shops stocking it at the moment. Have you had trouble getting ammo for it before?, as in left with none?
 
blacklab3042 said:
Personally I use a .223 for foxing with a night vision Pulsar C50 fitted to it.

The recoil is light enough that you can watch the shot until it makes contact which I feel is quite nice, as you can be sure that the shot was humane and did the desired job especially if you are on your own and don’t have somebody watching through a thermal.
Click to expand...
I know .223 is a lot of peoples go to, I had just been offered a .222 and a .243 in my budget so just wanted peoples thoughts.

NV/Thermal requires a firearms licence this side of the sea.
 
BelMali said:
Yea I did check what ammo availability is like, theres a few shops stocking it at the moment. Have you had trouble getting ammo for it before?, as in left with none?
Click to expand...
No, There is always some available to be fair, SnB is nearly always available, but my rifle doesn't like it. I buy up the Sako whenever I can get it, If you do go for it,and you find a round it likes, buy as much as you can while it's in stock, that's what I do!
 
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Sdoc said:
No, There is always some available to be fair, SnB is nearly always available, but my rifle doesn't like it. I buy up the Sako whenever I can get it, If you do go for it,and you find a round it likes, buy as much as you can while it's in stock, that's what I do!
Click to expand...

Ill keep that in mind if I do go with the .222 cheers 👍
 
BelMali said:
In the market for a fox rifle and I have an option to purchase a Howa in
.243, its new, or a Tikka T3 in .222, this is used. Howa is a bare rifle and the Tikka is a complete setup. (Rifle, Scope, Mod, Bipod, Sling)

Im not looking to stir a debate on fox calibers now Im just looking for feedback. On a sidenote the Tikka is a bargain around £500(€600), I know the fella selling, rifle saw 3 boxes of ammo and sat in the safe.

I already have a .308 for Deer, so I am tempted by the .222 but the .243 could be used for fox and deer. Ammo price is irrelevant, Im in Ireland and they run around the same price/box.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I HAVE used both with no problems go with your heart
 
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