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[danny01 0]

my son and me were granted our FAC this time last year for the first time. We put down for a .22LR, .17HMR and a .22 hornet. We were told that we had the choice of either the 22LR or the .17HMR, and would not be allowed the hornet. We took the .17HMR. Good for rabbits but not close in, and we've had foxes out to 70 yards ( wouldnt go any further without a guaranteed kill ). If you want to eat the rabbits they must be head shots as the round shatters on contact, and it does destroy the meat if you hit them anywhere else.

[Mr_Logic 5]

Danny where in the country are you? Your firearms department needs a f****ing snotty letter about that.

 

IF you can show good reason and a suitable place to shoot, then the HO guidelines and Firearms Act says they must grant unless you're a nutter, and you clearly aren't as they gave you .22LR.

 

There is always good reason for 17HMR and 22LR - HMR for longer shots, and 22LR at night under the lamp so you can be quiet.

 

I could see them saying pick between HMR and Hornet as they can do similar things, but even that is stretching it a bit because Hornet can be used on rabbits but you could also ask for it for fox!

 

REALLY annoys me the way firearms depts are licensing now, I've a mind to start digging with ACPO and/or MPs on this, it's ridiculous persecution.

[Squirrel_Basher 17,100]

The debate on rimfire for fox will go on but in my opinion it is not satisfactory and there is not a rifle that will do both rabbit and fox .If you can Prove that you have a legitimate reason for fox control as well as rabbit ie letter from farmer and the land is passed ,then take it further to aquire the right fiream for the job .I had a hornet for years but soon realised its shortfalls and stepped up to a .222 which will has everything you want in a fox round .Its a learning curve but with these forums now ,the newby can with a bit of thought ,bypass a few years of wounding and reget .ATB foxdropper .

[Mr_Logic 5]

I find Hornet is great on Charlie, with 35gr v-max, but I just have to remember that it's really a rimfire on steroids, and doesn't offer the same reassurance as a 'proper' .22CF.

[comanche 2,990]

Two pennyworth . For rabbits definatly go for .22 rimfire,moderater and subsonic ammo. learn to shoot straight with it and brush-up on your field craft and you'll be able to take the odd fox too. Pop plenty of targets (.22 rimammo is so cheap that there is no excuse not to practice,practice ,practice) Learn your own limits of range/accuracy and stick to em .

Whether you put a .22 rim or a 243 round through fox's head or chest it will be dead .Your ability to place it there is the deciding factor . A slightly misplaced bullet from a powerfull round allows a greater margin of error due to the greater shock and impact damage it delivers but the deadly potential of the 22 subsonic rim-fire round is not to be dismissed lightly. Israeli Army snipers might back this statement .

The higher velocity spit-rifles ,tis true ,will shoot straight a long way which is ideal for surprising lone rabbits but the report will often scatter other rabbits in the area even in moderated form .They are often" too much gun " if you actually want something edible and the ammo is expensive .

When I was Keepering I shot most of my foxes with my.22 and subs whilst doing the rounds or rabbit shooting. When I inherited a Remington 222 from a late friend I got very keen about getting out with the lamp but the 22 LR was a far handier all round tool . The fact that it was a woodland shoot and the fields were small suited the rimfire .

I suppose that in big"open" country other criteria would apply . So its not just what you want to shoot but where you want to shoot that has a bearing on your decision .

I know which I'd choose if( what do I mean ,"If"?) I was short of money and only really wanted one rifle or my main interest was aquiring edible or saleable rabbits but wanted the ability to pop-off the occasional fox ...