Starting out foxing again - rifle?

[MilesW]

For a dedicated fox rifle meeting your stated circumstances, the no fuss, no muss option is the .223. Factory ammo and new and used rifles of many flavours on every street corner.
Less factory ammo and fewer rifle options, but an easy shooting option is the .204.
But, for a smile every time you pull the trigger on charlie, the .17 Rem is very hard to beat. Yes, may be problematic on the ammo - you will probably have to consider reloading - but rifles are often available used on some really nice actions, and not difficult to get one built up.
There is no benefit in a fast twist 22-250 or .243 for night shooting of foxes

 

[MilesW]

I've got a good feeling 243 won't be restricted...
Anyway what's with the sissy loads mentioned above?
My 308 20" Remington use to shoot 110gn v max @3160fps.
I thought these new cartridges were supposed to be superior???

Did you forget to put the powder in?

 

[MilesW]

For 600 yards I’d be tempted to 6.5 Creedmoor, reduced wind drift at range and loads of factory ammo available.

don’t like 95grain vmax but with non lead I’d look at the 100 grain peregrine from Edinburgh rifles

I think the OP said the paddocks were 600m from fence to fence, not that he was going to take 600m shots at foxes at night.

 

[nf-fuse]

I use a Remington 700 in 223.
Ballistic tip Ammo like nosler varmageddon are very lethal.

Someone correctly pointed out above that a modern scope will work out all the bullet drops etc.

I don't believe copper is an issue in 22 calibers, from what I read, unless you intend to use it for small deer also.

 

[HonestJohn]

Are you sure you’re not on commission

Wish I was, Al is a great friend and having used the rifles, I really stand by his products; they’re very impressive indeed. Not perfect, but almost.

 

[KarlParker]

Another vote for the 223, 55gr or 53gr Vmax work a treat normally out to 200m ish at night without a problem

22-250 and 243 are too loud for where I shoot, sound like a cannon going off and the boom rolls down the valley

 

[Stumpy2]

I think the OP said the paddocks were 600m from fence to fence, not that he was going to take 600m shots at foxes at night.

You’re right, we are all making assumptions, and we all know assumptions are the mother of all fcuk ups!

 

[dropmdead]

Thread 'Weatherby Rifle Twist Rates for .223 Rem and .243 Win in the Model 307 - Readiness for Lead-free'

Mar 31, 2025

Twist rates are an important consideration for the move over to Copper / Lead-free - Weatherby were one of the first to move over to suitable twist rates for these types of projectiles, here are the Weatherby rifle twist rates for common calibers in the UK:

• .223 Rem - 1:8
• .243 Win - 1:7.5

It seems like a lot of people moved over to 6.5 cal and above when the first sniff of the lead ban occurred, but we're now seeing a resurgence in .223 and .243 since the plans were announced - It would be really interesting to hear all your thoughts on caliber choice now, twist rates, and if...

• WeatherbyUK
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Rifles & Calibres

• 

Anyone got any first hand experience of these?

 

[Crowsfeet]

Here your go pal, right up your street. Dm me if you fancy a bit of a haggle.

Sold: Thread 'Sako 75 III stainless laminate - 22.250 varmint'

Oct 4, 2025

Offered for reluctant sale

Rebarreled by Ronin last year with a 24" GB Barrels in 1/9 twist (I think) and has since shot 48 rounds.

Comes complete with Bushnell Elite 4.5-30x50 scope
Reflex T8 mod
Rusan rail
Warne mounts
Spartan carbon bipod
and Z Aim sling.
All quality gear.

Genuine reason for sale.....
Whilst being rebarreled, I purchased a .223 and it's all I need and more. The Sako is a bit heavy for me too, lugging around the type of ground I cover.
It has been sitting in the cabinet since.

Needs to go.

Full setup. £1000

Possibly split

Based East Manchester.

• Crowsfeet
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Firearms

• 

 

[25 Sharps]

Here your go pal, right up your street. Dm me if you fancy a bit of a haggle.

Sold: Thread 'Sako 75 III stainless laminate - 22.250 varmint'

Oct 4, 2025

Offered for reluctant sale

Rebarreled by Ronin last year with a 24" GB Barrels in 1/9 twist (I think) and has since shot 48 rounds.

Comes complete with Bushnell Elite 4.5-30x50 scope
Reflex T8 mod
Rusan rail
Warne mounts
Spartan carbon bipod
and Z Aim sling.
All quality gear.

Genuine reason for sale.....
Whilst being rebarreled, I purchased a .223 and it's all I need and more. The Sako is a bit heavy for me too, lugging around the type of ground I cover.
It has been sitting in the cabinet since.

Needs to go.

Full setup. £1000

Possibly split

Based East Manchester.

• Crowsfeet
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Firearms

• 

If I was you @dropmdead, I’d be trying to get a deal done on this and take up reloading

 

[muckers]

.243 or 6.5 creed. plenty options to go at.

 

[Foxyboy43]

.222, no worries re lead, perfect 250 yard foxer.

Ahah!
A gentleman of obvious taste for the finer things in life…

 

[ColinBr]

Why limit yourself to factory ammo would be my main question when you already reload?

 

[Fox246]

I’ve used .223 with 53gr vmax 1:8 and .22-250 50gr 1:14. Both do an excellent job. 22-250 slightly better and will make you smile more. About £2 a box price difference.

 

[Bowland blades]

I'm going to start a foxing only rifle and scope, out with deer and comp rifles.
I would like to be mindful and prepare for future copper bullets etc
The ground is open lambing fields over 600 yards between walls.

I would like to run factory ammo..

I'm boiling it down to something rebarrelled, and shot off sticks, not carried for miles every night, but not shot from a vehicle.

22-250 fast twist?
243 1-8 twist?


Open to ideas

1-10 std twist and a 80 grain copper bullet would be better using copper or lead at 95 grain . 243 1-8twist is all about shooting longer copper bullets and that's kind of daft because your getting into jacket separation ground , if you shot long extra heavy tough bullets it would work but then your using up powder room / speed and although that might be cool on long range steel targets because of the BC gain our plan with foxes in the sheep field is mitigating ricochet and one shot kills from getting closer for the shot not chucking a hail -Mary shot on a windy fell
I have shot a lot of 243 win bullets at Fox and deer 1-10 is best and i am on my second just now , totally shot the first one out Comp rifles make poor foxing rifles heavy and difficult to shoot fast while standing or snatching a quick opportunity

 

[mikey223]

22 creed

 

[Rusty knife]

I had a 22/250 loved it when the barrel shot out i got a .243 and put norma tipstrike through it very effectively but found it was hellish loud with a 20” barrel changed it for a 223 and love it not to loud and cheeper ammunition. 55grn vmax and using a nv scope with balistic calculation Ive shot some pretty rangey stuff. Wind affects it more than the other two though. I maybe should have got a 1/8 twist barrel but it’s not a problem at the moment and might never be

 

[trickie]

A 223 with an 8” barrel would meet all your needs. Simple easy to buy factory of components for good past 400 (not that I’d dream of shooting a fox at that range).
And a great choice of good solid rifles, especially Tikka at decent prices.

 

[nf-fuse]

A 223 with an 8” barrel would meet all your needs. Simple easy to buy factory of components for good past 400 (not that I’d dream of shooting a fox at that range).
And a great choice of good solid rifles, especially Tikka at decent prices.

Seems a bit short

 

[MTheaded but happy]

My 1 in 8 twist 243 shot 87 grain V-max with incredible precision and handloads were screaming at 3180 fps out of a 24" barrel . It didn't like 75 grain V-max , poor precision.
A 1 in 9 twist 22-250 will give more options as far as bullets go , in that chambering and will shoot factory ammo , gospel according to the keepers who frequent the gun shop .
Both bark a little but the 243 will win in a strong breeze .
After dark , I reach for the 22-250 it's easier to maintain sight picture and hits with ample authority . If its windy where I shoot the foxes disappear into several thousand acres of surrounding forestry so I stay home anyway . I no longer own the 243 , it's now something else .