Variation possibly, what you reckon?

Sounds like you've got all you need for what you shoot? Maybe perhaps ditch the HMR for (a much better) WMR - add then the Hornet for flat shooting/sniping out to 250yds.

If then, you still want some (in inverted commas chaps 'FUN' so calm down) - go for a nice .223 from Lantac.

Nothing wrong with owning different calibre and types of guns in my book - horses for courses.

Shooting is still a hobby you know, last time I checked - I do it mainly because I enjoy it and have done since the BSA Meteor at age 9. I am not in the position to do it for a living, however, I fear if I was it may then become a chore.

I have a good few guns and I enjoy using, cleaning and owning them all - if thats not a good reason too then I'll eat me hat....
 
Sounds like you've got all you need for what you shoot? Maybe perhaps ditch the HMR for (a much better) WMR - add then the Hornet for flat shooting/sniping out to 250yds.

If then, you still want some (in inverted commas chaps 'FUN' so calm down) - go for a nice .223 from Lantac.

Nothing wrong with owning different calibre and types of guns in my book - horses for courses.

Shooting is still a hobby you know, last time I checked - I do it mainly because I enjoy it and have done since the BSA Meteor at age 9. I am not in the position to do it for a living, however, I fear if I was it may then become a chore.

I have a good few guns and I enjoy using, cleaning and owning them all - if thats not a good reason too then I'll eat me hat....

I was thinking of perhaps replacing the hmr, and a .22 hornet had crossed my mind, but a .204 seems to be the one I may apply for. The obvious answer is to have both and see which one I prefer, hence wanting to put the variation in.
The .243 is big enough for what I do, fac air ideal for shooting up trees, .22 lr is nice around the stables for bunnies. The only one I'm unsure of is the hmr, it's nice on rabbits and legal on fox, sometimes think though that a bit more on foxes would be good.
So really I suppose it boils down to wanting to try an efficient fox calibre that's still ok on rabbits.

Any thoughts on .204
 
Last edited:
Rod

Most of the small cf will chew up a bunny unless your head shooting and then the problem is range, so the 17 hmr could stay,or a 17 rem/fb but with that we thing you can still still turn your bunny into a glove puppet,

Its a hard choice, I used the 17 hmr for a long time but as I am there to remove vermin i and I don't eat bunny anymore the 20 cals are what I use now for all my foxing and vermin control, went down and seen the new 20 tac today and i am over the moon with it, I should be collecting it very soon,

You have a hard choice, I'm so glad it's not me making it any more,

Best of luck

Bob.
 
Last edited:
Ahhh in that case, step up the .17 tree maybe? .17 hornet, .17 fireball or the daddy in .17 Remington

Seem to hear of a lot of folk having problems in wind with .17, or not allowing for it. I was thinking or something a little heavier perhaps? I could be on completely the wrong track here though ?
 
Rod

Most of the small cf will chew up a bunny unless your head shooting and then the problem is range, so the 17 hmr could stay,or a 17 rem/fb but with that we thing you can still still turn your bunny into a glove puppet,

Its a hard choice, I used the 17 hmr for a long time but as I am there to remove vermin i and I don't eat bunny anymore the 20 cals are what I use now for all my foxing and vermin control, went down and seen the new 20 tac today and
ovedmitmand I should be collecting it very soon,

Younhave a hard choice, I'm so glad it's not me making it any more,

Best of luck

Bob.

I don't eat the rabbits Bob, but it would be nice to be able to pick them up in one piece :-D The one permission I shoot is paddocks and they like them chucked out of the way.
I'm not saying I don't like the hmr, I do, just wanted to compare it to something closer than I have got at the moment.
probably just curiosity on my part to be honest.
 
Ahhh heavy is my kinda caliber....although I feel a 600 Nitro isn't what you're looking for ;)

They can get blown around a little but all part of the challenge.
It's not that bad mind. 10mph wind for all of the 300 yards gives the .17 Rem less than 5 inch more drift on average compared to a selection of .22CF rounds.
Obviously so many variables it's untrue.

A .22 centre fire would fill the need for you with aplomb.
Sadly not many are particularly interesting, they just do what they were designed for and they do it well.

Do you reload? If so, would a wildcat scratch the 'varmint' itch?
 
Last edited:
Tricky to find a cal for fox & bunnies - personally I don't like the HMR for foxes.

What ranges are you out to on them both? Also are you a daylight or NV shooter?
 
Fewer, but better quality, is another way to go...

"Never mind the quality, feel the width". Now, if that rings any bells you're getting on a bit :-D



In answer to the calibre gents, .204 seems to be lingering in my tiny mind. It will be predominantly for night vision.
 
In answer to the calibre gents, .204 seems to be lingering in my tiny mind. It will be predominantly for night vision.

Split the difference then? .204 NV dedicated set-up and a nice little variation for a .22 WMR for some proper, closer daylight bunny & fox? can't speak highly enough of the WMR (there will always be one in my cabinet) - nothing like calling a fox in to 100-120yds with a 30g vmax mag on :D
 
Split the difference then? .204 NV dedicated set-up and a nice little variation for a .22 WMR for some proper, closer daylight bunny & fox? can't speak highly enough of the WMR (there will always be one in my cabinet) - nothing like calling a fox in to 100-120yds with a 30g vmax mag on :D


I feel the same with. 20 tac 40 gr vmax,

Priceless,

Bob
 
I feel if you can't think of a 'good reason', than that means that you don't have a good reason!


My earlier post was a bit tongue-in-cheek - naturally I understand you would like another rifle, just because you do!
When applying for the slot on your FAC you have to give 'good reason' and that would be to use that new rifle for a named species for which it is suitable, and show the Police that you do have a permission where your landowner allows you to shoot that species. So it shouldn't be too hard to find 'good reason' for a lot of calibers. Or if you are a member of a target club/range your 'good reason' is simply that you want to shoot that caliber.
Good luck.
 
My main thought on the .204 is its not legal for small deer, if your main deer quarry is Munties then why not consider 0.222 / .223? You can load with 40 grain BK / V-max for a fast flat (not as flat as the .204 granted) rabbit and fox round but if you know the scope adjustment you can carry a 50+gr load for the occasion you may bump into a muntjac.

I have a hornet and really enjoy shooting it the one thing that lest it down is its not quite small deer legal but then that's not what I bought it for.
 
My post was not really intended as having a go at the original poster, and he is only looking to fill a vacant slot on his ticket.

What really boils my p@@s is the amount of people over the years who have contacted me asking if I would write
a letter saying they had booked x amount of days stalking, no they did not want to book stalking, they just wanted
the letter so they could either be granted a FAC or a variation for a larger caliber than they had been allowed,some even offered to pay for the letter.

My second word was off in answer to all such requests, what the feck were they going to do with it if they were granted it , in effect nowhere to shoot it.

Wish I could say it was an isolated case unfortunately that's not so it's happened countless times over the years.

Not got a problem with anyone who has a genuine reason, but fraudulent claims and inventing " good reason" is just crazy.
 
Back
Top