.22LR or .17HMR For Very Close Range Fox

[Mutimer 0]

I know this is probably going to raise a few eyebrows or slaps on wrist for me asking but on my permission we mainly shoot rabbits from 30 to 100 yards with air rifle (Around caravans), .22LR or .17HMR

 

Over past few months we have seen a couple of foxes lurking around. On a few occasions we have been as close as 50y but we only had air rifles with us at the time, so we were unable to even consider having a pop at them. This then raised the question what should we do and which rifle would be more suitable if at all.

 

So I was thinking which rifle .22LR or .17HMR would be more suitable to shoot with, these two foxes are causing a lot of damage around the bins and I have been asked if we can do anything, Hence my question. I know both of these rifles are not really suitable for regular Foxing but could we consider them at close ranges

 

All views welcome

 

Darren

[stubby 175]

your saying "around caravans" so presume its a public place, Id rather live catch the foxes (traps) and then dispatch, rather than using a rifle near public

[Mutimer 0]

Yes it is a caravan park but we only shot when site is closed, around the vans we use air rifles.

There are two large fields adjacent to the vans which has been approved for use of .22LR & .177HMR

 

The foxes that i would want to shoot are well away from public or vans.

 

Sorry i should have explained better

 

Live trap is something we have purchased but not yet tried and maybe best option long term.

 

Just if out one night and had suitable rifle should i have a go?

Edited September 30, 2009 by Mutimer

[Grousekeeper84 2]

I reccomend a good lurcher and a battery pack! Silent and deadly! lol

(seriously it has to be the .17 HMR its the buisiness!)

[salukiwhippet 6]

.22 bullets penetrate better on charlie than those little HMR ones. If you must use the HMR, try to get hold of some 20 grain hollowpoints, the terminal ballistics are much better.

 

James

[Mr_Logic 5]

Up close, 22LR is better. 22Wmr is the one though.

 

And you'll need it on ticket.

[jamie g 17]

shot a good 5 foxes over last month with hmr and its about placement. you have to have it on your ticket tho

[steveff1353 7]

Have used both 22 and 17 on foxes, my preference is the HMR every time.

[cyclonebri1 8]

I'm not sure,

 

Only had the HMR for a year and to be honest it's uses are limited. I don't want to go into that here.

 

 

At close range, ie sub 50yds or maybe 60, I have NEVER had fox complain, I have however had a couple of runners with the HMR at 100 plus, but that may be me

[andyf 144]

Yes it is a caravan park but we only shot when site is closed, around the vans we use air rifles.

There are two large fields adjacent to the vans which has been approved for use of .22LR & .177HMR

 

The foxes that i would want to shoot are well away from public or vans.

 

Sorry i should have explained better

 

Live trap is something we have purchased but not yet tried and maybe best option long term.

 

Just if out one night and had suitable rifle should i have a go?

 

Well it would be the .22 for me every time, I have one and until recently I had a 17HMR as well, the HMR is very much a 'niche' cartridge, it does everything it says on the tin, and I think it's done very well in the UK for several reasons, 1. It's easy to get on your fac, and for many people coming from airguns it as a major step up in power from 12 ft/lbs giving a false impression of actual lethality. 2. It's accurate in line with top grade pcp airguns, so you can now reliably hit something 130 yards away (not 30 yards like the pcp), also no ricochets as the tiny bullet vapourises on anything bigger than a grass stem. But for Foxes forget it, I shot several with mine all went down but had to be shot again to kill them, no good at all. However the slow/heavy old 40 grain rimfire slug at 50 yards is about as good as you will get shooting around a caravan park and will put a 'charlie' down very effectively. I use a 22.250 for Foxes but that would never be tolerated around your type of location, (you would scorch the paint off the vans).

Take a heart lung shot, or best of all a head shot with the .22 if it's up close and personal, 'Simples'.

[HEDS 0]

HAVE SHOT MANY FOXES WITH THE HMR.

BUT AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED - ANYTHING 100 PLUS SHOULD BE FORGOTTEN TO BE FAIR TO THE ANIMAL.

HMR IS ACCURATE ENOUGH UP TO A 100 FOR HEADSHOTS.

GOOD LUCK

[Colster 1]

At the distance you describe, either will do if you can get a good clean head shot.

[Spangle 0]

Your original question asked....."22LR or .17HMR For Very Close Range Fox"

 

 

 

If you need to ask, you shouldn't be shooting either calibre. If you have got either calibre you will know what it is capable of and thus know the answer to your own question!

[JohnGalway 1,043]

also no ricochets as the tiny bullet vapourises on anything bigger than a grass stem.

 

HMR will ricochet I've heard them They just don't do it nearly as often as the .22lr.

[Deker 3,478]

also no ricochets as the tiny bullet vapourises on anything bigger than a grass stem.

 

HMR will ricochet I've heard them They just don't do it nearly as often as the .22lr.

 

 

Totally agree with John here....

 

and...

VERY Close foxes...22LR with 40g subs and a big hollow point, spreads a treat, punches a big hole and usually imparts ALL its energy, i.e., it stays in!

 

17g HMR is too small on the whole, usually fragments very small and is not as good on the body as .22LR, head shots are fine, usually turns the brains to jelly which start flowing out the ears! 20g HMR is better on fox generally, but not as accurate as 17g, but I still favour .22lr for CLOSE!

 

40g HP .22WMR

 

This site seems to present other problems though and I have to question if either is suitable, perhaps, as already mentioned, trapping should be considered!