Which 2 calibres?

[Dave881]

It would depend on what's available ammo wise near you or if you homeload.
If factory ammo I would probably go for,

17hmr or 17 hornet if available, the hornet would be my preference. This covers rabbits and closer foxes.

308 would be my choice for everything else if factory ammo is the option but all other deer legal cartridges will work just fine. You can get 308 ammo everywhere and can get a big variety of factory loads.

If homeloading the world is you oyster really. If I were in the position of only two rifles for everything I would probably go for,

204 Ruger, can be reloaded fairly cheaply, can take rabbits and foxes as far as I would ever want and rabbits are perfectly usable if head shooting, (200 yard headshots aren't a problem).

7x64 would be my choice for everything else, from what I can see it's would be a very versatile cartridge for everything for close in woodland stalking, hill stalking, boar and long range targets/gong bashing. I don't own a rifle chambers in 7x64 not have I shot one yet,this would just be my choice from research and the current itch I have to get one.

Hope this helps,
Dave.

 

[scrumbag]

.22 LR and 30.06

There is some sense to this.

.22lr is great for practice and rabbits.

No fox will complain about getting shot by a .30-06 nor will a deer

 

[scrumbag]

It would depend on what's available ammo wise near you or if you homeload.
If factory ammo I would probably go for,

17hmr or 17 hornet if available, the hornet would be my preference. This covers rabbits and closer foxes.

308 would be my choice for everything else if factory ammo is the option but all other deer legal cartridges will work just fine. You can get 308 ammo everywhere and can get a big variety of factory loads.

If homeloading the world is you oyster really. If I were in the position of only two rifles for everything I would probably go for,

204 Ruger, can be reloaded fairly cheaply, can take rabbits and foxes as far as I would ever want and rabbits are perfectly usable if head shooting, (200 yard headshots aren't a problem).

7x64 would be my choice for everything else, from what I can see it's would be a very versatile cartridge for everything for close in woodland stalking, hill stalking, boar and long range targets/gong bashing. I don't own a rifle chambers in 7x64 not have I shot one yet,this would just be my choice from research and the current itch I have to get one.

Hope this helps,
Dave.

Much as I love the 7x64, it can be a bit of a home loaders proposition if you want dedicated target loads.

 

[Heym SR20]

22 long rifle for the rabbits, and the occasional close range fox.

And a deer legal centrefire rifle, as no fox will be troubled by being shot with any centrefire. By all means have a dedicated fox load with a dedicated varmint bullet, but I have shot plenty of foxes with a normal deer bullet.

Personally as to calibres I like the 7mm’s. But others will like the 6mm, the 6.5mm or the .25, 270 or .30 cals and apologies if I have left out any.

As to cartridge- whatever ever floats your boat. I doubt any deer or fox would worry.

 

[norcan]

Right now I have two "combinations" that would fit this..

A classic walnut and blued, and the only pair I actually need:
Brno mod 2 in 22lr
Brno ZG-47 in 30-06
Unmoderated

&

A Stainless and fiberglassed "New & Nato":
Tikka T3 in 223
Tikka T3 in 308
Cut at 16-18" with moderators

 

[Dhindes]

.222 Rem - because it is the calibre god chose before Creedmore came around. With the bonus you can now take Munties Sth of the boarder.
For deer + I would say good old .308 , I should say 7x64 as it is much more exotic in UK and great round - but honestly a .308 will do anything you are going to find in UK, including boar !

 

[6pt-sika]

For me a 222 REM and a 260 REM would be fine . And just so happens I have multiples of both .

 

[Shootgun]

.22LR and .270

 

[I. Farticus]

.22LR
6.5x55mm

 

[User00033]

One for rabbits and foxes?
And one for deer?

And finally, if you had to pick one rifle for everything? Thinking of a 6.5mm Creedmoor, thoughts?

So a varmint rifle…
And a deer rifle…
Or one for everything?

Hmmm… It exists and has done for 66 years, the .243 Winchester.

 

[kenbro]

I would tend to agree with this. Pity about those pesky laws though..

Catbird.
Ken.

 

[HandB]

.222 and 7x57

 

[wabbit warren]

i only shoot foxes and rabbits. not got into deer stalking yet.
i own a .17hmr and a .223 rem, does me for all i want to do.

 

[Uncas]

I would think a fun rifle for Rabbits & Foxes up to a hundred yards
would be a 25 cal FAC air rifle around 45 FT LB with pellets for Rabbits
and air bullets for Foxes.
A.243/6mm /257 roberts, for the deer.

 

[scrumbag]

257 Roberts is a lovely option

 

[Leroux]

.22LR and any standard deer caliber that you fancy.
Boring but hard to look beyond. 308 as an ideal alrounder here in UK and anywhere in the world for that matter

 

[glasshalffull]

Just a small tweak to your question.

Rabbits 22lr
Foxes and deer .243 or 6.5x55swede

I know you said rabbits and foxes but personally I like some meat left on my shot rabbits

 

[JLad]

If dependent on factory ammunition:
223 Remington
308 Winchester

If devoted handloader:
22-250 Remington
7x64

One for all I would go with 308 Winchester. It is truly boring so to speak, but it has it all and is easy manageable cartridge to buy or load ammo for all size game.

 

[Bo Diddley]

I would think a fun rifle for Rabbits & Foxes up to a hundred yards
would be a 25 cal FAC air rifle around 45 FT LB with pellets for Rabbits
and air bullets for Foxes.
A.243/6mm /257 roberts, for the deer.

I believe it is illegal to shoot foxes with an air rifle in the UK... even an Fac jobbie!

 

[2Ll’s]

Has to be 3 for me

.22 FAC with slugs for bunnies and occasional close fox.
.22-250 dedicated for fox.
6.5 for the rest.