what rifle for foxes??

[njc110381 0]

You are right Snap. With a perfect shot the .243 would drop an Elephant. I just like to have a little to spare.

 

The way I see it is this... There are dozens of calibres available to us and Sika are big Deer. Not only big but hard! For the Fox I've always said the .243 takes some beating. That's what it was made to do and it does it extremely well. For big Deer though there are bigger bullets. This guy is obviously new to stalking and no matter how good you are, things can go wrong. I like that little bit of power to overcome the odd error in judgement.

 

If you get it completely wrong then a .50BMG wont save you. The Deer will still run! If you have any doubt then you can always come back tomorrow and take the shot well. You never have to pull the trigger. With all the good will in the world though you will pull the odd shot, and then something like a .270 or .308 will tare a hole which may clip an artery that the .243 may not have touched.

 

Not everyone wants to go through life living in a one room flat and driving a smart car. Bigger is better, it's human nature!

[SNAP SHOT 194]

IF the shooter is new to the game then, they SHOULD NOT shoot until they can place a shot consecutively where they need it to be.....

 

Larger calibres will lead to new shooters or beginners to flinching.... and its a hard habit to overcome when you get the fear of pulling the trigger...

 

knowing our own personal limitations is what makes us proficient....

 

Snap.

[FightTheBan 1,147]

"Bigger is better, it's human nature! "

 

Not if you intend on eating it! LOL

 

I would far rather drop some roe with my .223 than blow them with a .270.

 

As snap said, accuracy and shot placement are of preliminary importance.

 

FTB

[njc110381 0]

A .243 can bruise up quite a bit of meat mind. Speed has a lot to do with it as well as bullet size.

[trappa 518]

Im no expert but ive shot fox with a 22lr and a .223 and i cant fault the .223, its a great fox calibre. If i was looking for a gun just for fox, nothing else, then i wouldnt look further than a 223.

[njc110381 0]

I've shot them with 12g, .22lr, .17hmr, .17ah, .22h, .223, 6.5x55 and 7x57. They all died, but were progressively more obviously dead towards the end of the list!

 

For just Fox I agree, the .223 is brilliant.

 

EDIT... And I should add I'm still not an expert. Far from it!

Edited April 28, 2010 by njc110381

[Deker 3,478]

i've shot plenty large reds with no issues, i had a 6.5x55 but sold it due to needing cash, and the .243 was my primary gun for long range foxing, etc..

 

i loved the two calibres...

 

but seeing as i had no trouble droping deer at distance ..... the .243 stayed......

 

Ability simple as, if you don't have the ability, larger calibres can only get you so far..... A poor shot WITH any calibre is still a poor shot...

 

the larger calibre's are just that little bit MORE forgiving...

 

Snap.

 

[Deker 3,478]

...and getting back to the original suggestion of .270 for fox...few would have this as their first choice!

[njc110381 0]

.25-06 maybe?

 

I know the obvious choice for a Fox rifle with the odd Deer chucked in is .243. That's what I'd suggest most of the time myself. But with Sika? They're pretty tough nuts to crack aren't they?! If I was in this position I don't think I'd be comfortable using something that can struggle to shoot 100 grain bullets well. I'd just want a little more weight. Not a huge amount, but a little more.

 

I always feel that .243 lovers are a tough bunch to reason with. Yes it will do the job, but there are better options IMO.