WHich rifle?

[Ddraig 0]

Hi All

 

Been an ardent airgunner (Non-FAC) for a couple of years, but have a couple of permission where I can not get near the rabbits or corvid due to terrain. Also have the oppertunity to do some Fox control. Am applying for my Firearm cert shortly, but having conflicting avice as to calibre. Been thinking of a .17 HMR cos of possible rickochet with the .22. Would like a calibre that would serve both purposes rabbit if possible rabbit crows and fox. Or would I have to apply for a .223 also

 

Some advice from a broader audience please

[SportingShooter 0]

Ideally, from the situation you describe, two guns would be more suited.

 

If I were shooting Crows, Rabbits and other small vermin over a long distance yards + then I'd want a .17 HMR.

 

If under this range, then a .22LR will be perfectly adequate.

 

For Fox, I'd want a designated centrefire in either .223, .22-250 or .243

 

[zipdog 0]

personally 17 HMR for rabbits and crows etc, reason its faster and kills better than the .22 plus extended range . however the .22 is quiter so its personal prefference. If you can get a fox granted on your FAC for the .17 hmr it will kill of fox upto 100 yards, but no futher. As for a real fox caliber i would suggest the 22-250 unless you was planning on shooting deer in the future then a 243 would be sutiable for both. purly foxing 22-250 all the way.

[langouroux 14]

As this is your first FAC it is unlikely you will be able to use anything bigger than .22 or .17 with out an "experienced centre fire user" so if you planing to go foxing on your own then really you need to be looking at the .17HMR

 

I know several people that have .17HMR, and shoot fox out to 100 yards ( as above said) and rabbits out to about 120yards maybe 140, its an awesome flat shooting but pricey round.

 

if you shoot with some one that has an open ticket and wont be tempted to go out on your own then go for a bigger caliber.

 

peace fellow foxer.

[Ddraig 0]

Thanks all for the advice. I will be applying for the .17HMR, but have heard suggestions that the fragmentation penetrates to 'meat' as I intend to eat what I get. But that rife seems as the yanks put it 'Awesome' and you don’t have the ricochet problem. Noise well never heard one in real life so can not compare .22 and .17 live in west Wales (Carmarthenshire) and not sure if FAO will allow Fox on a .17HMR, but can check on that.

 

Not intending to go Foxing alone initially would prefer a .243 for fox as I have a mate who has held an FAC shooting rim and centre fires for many years has offered to act as a ‘Mentor’ .

Don’t want to take chances with not having a clean kill but would ‘try an apply for .243 as well as would like to do some stalking when the time comes.

 

Thanks

Richard

[RicW 67]

Thanks all for the advice. I will be applying for the .17HMR, but have heard suggestions that the fragmentation penetrates to 'meat' as I intend to eat what I get. But that rife seems as the yanks put it 'Awesome' and you don’t have the ricochet problem. Noise well never heard one in real life so can not compare .22 and .17 live in west Wales (Carmarthenshire) and not sure if FAO will allow Fox on a .17HMR, but can check on that.

 

Not intending to go Foxing alone initially would prefer a .243 for fox as I have a mate who has held an FAC shooting rim and centre fires for many years has offered to act as a ‘Mentor’ .

Don’t want to take chances with not having a clean kill but would ‘try an apply for .243 as well as would like to do some stalking when the time comes.

 

Thanks

Richard

I do not speak from personal experience but there are quite a lot of guys on this forum who say that 17HMR is not up to it for fox at more than very close range. You might care to investigate .22 WMR. It hes a lot more killing power up to 135 yds. There is one guy, can't remember his name, who is now monitoring a shooter in centrefire because the shooter had shot two foxes at less than 100yds, clean head shots, with HMR, and the foxes walked away to die. Not what any of us want.

[SportingShooter 0]

Thanks all for the advice. I will be applying for the .17HMR, but have heard suggestions that the fragmentation penetrates to 'meat' as I intend to eat what I get. But that rife seems as the yanks put it 'Awesome' and you don’t have the ricochet problem. Noise well never heard one in real life so can not compare .22 and .17 live in west Wales (Carmarthenshire) and not sure if FAO will allow Fox on a .17HMR, but can check on that.

 

Not intending to go Foxing alone initially would prefer a .243 for fox as I have a mate who has held an FAC shooting rim and centre fires for many years has offered to act as a ‘Mentor’ .

Don’t want to take chances with not having a clean kill but would ‘try an apply for .243 as well as would like to do some stalking when the time comes.

 

Thanks

Richard

Your local police are pretty good and realise that the area you live in can and is very rural. However, like many forces, the applications that I have heard of through friends, is that they won't grant you a centrefire unless you have a mentor or proven experience. As for them granting a .243 on first grant, I can't see them doing so without a fight but you might as well apply and see. They may turn around and only grant you a .223, which don't get me wrong is more than capable of Fox control.

 

Also as a rule, HMR for Fox is out, I know, I tried! (Don't live in Dyfed-Powys Police now)

[Lewdan 17]

FOR AN ALL ROUND RIFLE THAT WILL DESPATCH ALL GAME UP TO FOX SIZE OUT TO 200 YDS, I SUGGEST .22 HORNET,--- NO RECOIL , VERY QUIET ( WHEN MODERATED ) VERY CHEAP TO RELOAD..CHOICE OF BULLETS FROM 32 GN TO 45 GN

WELL WORTH THINKING ABOUT

[Ddraig 0]

Thanks all for the advice. I will be applying for the .17HMR, but have heard suggestions that the fragmentation penetrates to 'meat' as I intend to eat what I get. But that rife seems as the yanks put it 'Awesome' and you don’t have the ricochet problem. Noise well never heard one in real life so can not compare .22 and .17 live in west Wales (Carmarthenshire) and not sure if FAO will allow Fox on a .17HMR, but can check on that.

 

Not intending to go Foxing alone initially would prefer a .243 for fox as I have a mate who has held an FAC shooting rim and centre fires for many years has offered to act as a ‘Mentor’ .

Don’t want to take chances with not having a clean kill but would ‘try an apply for .243 as well as would like to do some stalking when the time comes.

 

Thanks

Richard

I do not speak from personal experience but there are quite a lot of guys on this forum who say that 17HMR is not up to it for fox at more than very close range. You might care to investigate .22 WMR. It hes a lot more killing power up to 135 yds. There is one guy, can't remember his name, who is now monitoring a shooter in centrefire because the shooter had shot two foxes at less than 100yds, clean head shots, with HMR, and the foxes walked away to die. Not what any of us want.

 

 

Hi RicW

 

I quite agree, would prefer .223/3 or 243 myself.

 

Richard

[aaronpigeonplucker 32]

i dont do any fac shooting or anything, but what is the largest animal you can take with a .22 LR? i dont want to get deleted so i won't say the stories i've heard of the biggest animal you can take.

[Ddraig 0]

FOR AN ALL ROUND RIFLE THAT WILL DESPATCH ALL GAME UP TO FOX SIZE OUT TO 200 YDS, I SUGGEST .22 HORNET,--- NO RECOIL , VERY QUIET ( WHEN MODERATED ) VERY CHEAP TO RELOAD..CHOICE OF BULLETS FROM 32 GN TO 45 GN

WELL WORTH THINKING ABOUT

 

Hi Keithparry

My concern is that there is quite a lot of stoney ground in my area and the danger of ricochet is ever present. The hornet does look an idel weapon though.

 

Rich

[bobndog 0]

i dont do any fac shooting or anything, but what is the largest animal you can take with a .22 LR? i dont want to get deleted so i won't say the stories i've heard of the biggest animal you can take.

 

Poachers use the 22r/f to shoot deer, but that does not make it a deer rifle. Realistically a rabbit is the largest quarry for a 22, even a hare will often need more than one shot to kill it.

In answer to your original question, I would go for the 22rf and a 223, best of luck!

[Mr_Logic 5]

22 Hornet with a 35gr bullet is v-max, shouldn't ricochet as fast and explosive.

 

Much better on fox than HMR, best all round rifle.

 

HMR really isn't a fox tool. Works well if your shot is precise and close, but as the range increases HMR's wounding massively reduces, meaning the odds of a clean kill are low.

 

Much better to annihilate a rabbit than wound a fox, so 223 for the lot if in doubt.

[Deker 3,478]

The questions have been answered rather comprehensively I'd say, but I'm still a little confused over this apparent pre-occupation with the .22lr bouncing all over the place...seldom is the answer... a HMR is better than a .22lr because it doesn't ricochet.

 

Select the right gun for the job...the .22lr does have a tendency to bounce, sometimes, but if you take the shot with care it should never cause a problem..

 

The .22lr is still the most popular civil calibre in the world so it can't be all that bad!!

Edited August 12, 2009 by Deker

[Lewdan 17]

FOR AN ALL ROUND RIFLE THAT WILL DESPATCH ALL GAME UP TO FOX SIZE OUT TO 200 YDS, I SUGGEST .22 HORNET,--- NO RECOIL , VERY QUIET ( WHEN MODERATED ) VERY CHEAP TO RELOAD..CHOICE OF BULLETS FROM 32 GN TO 45 GN

WELL WORTH THINKING ABOUT

 

Hi Keithparry

My concern is that there is quite a lot of stoney ground in my area and the danger of ricochet is ever present. The hornet does look an idel weapon though.

 

Rich

 

Hi Mate, i understand what you mean we must keep it safe at all times, But this problem will exist with any calibre, vballistic tip bullets can be used such as v max, these will reduce the risk of ricochet

 

Keith