First Rifle

[tubba 38]

I'm looking at getting a rifle for fox and rabbit. I have seen a CZ ZKM 452 style .22lr for £422.99 including mountmaster, mounts, scope, moderator, and slip. Doe's anyone use one of these , any help would be appriciated.

[mattydski 560]

Great Rabbit rifle, not so good for fox!!

 

Can you stretch to two rifles? A small centerfire would be better for fox.

 

If can only have one rifle, then you need to limit your foxing to very close ranges...i.e just over shotgun gun range. Or you compromise on the volume of rabbit shots you take and get something like a Hornet.. Great rifle. Good for rabbits out to 200 yards and good for fox for that range also. Reloaded, it can take the cost of ammo down to the cost of HMR.. Circa 0.20p a shot.

 

 

You always compromise somewhere with one rifle...

 

Start with the .22lr, and buy another bigger rifle later.

[tubba 38]

What would you recomend for foxing then as i only have around £500 to spend

Don't want to waste my money if it aint gonna do the job.

[mattydski 560]

If you have the land where you have the necessity to control foxes, then you can get a centre fire rifle.

 

Why not try a Hornet or (.22H) as it is abbreviated to. Great hard hitting rifle out to 200 yards on fox.. Easy to justify to your FEO, if you have the requirement. In my opinion doesn't need moderating.. Find someone local to reload with you...then enjoy hours of cheep centre fire shooting.

They will take most ground vermin, such as rabbits, crows on the ground etc.. Use a 35gr Vmax bullet.....makes a fine mess, and a humane kill. If you plan to eat your rabbits, then head shots only.

[mattydski 560]

 

i picture to show the difference between .22H and .243..

 

 

There seems to be some reluctance to use a hornet, as people see it as a dated calibre. This quite simply isnt true.

[tubba 38]

Cheers pal So what your saying is 243 is better for longer range, but the hornet will do the job up to 200 yards or so.

[RicW 67]

Also bear in mind that some forces are reluctant to grant any rimfire for foxes.

 

Ric

[mattydski 560]

Cheers pal So what your saying is 243 is better for longer range, but the hornet will do the job up to 200 yards or so.

 

 

I seldom take my .243 out, unless targeting deer only. I have £2800 .243 set up, but prefer to take out my Hornet that cost me £400 second hand. I only wish I had one earlier in my shooting life.

 

If you are really honest, there are not many foxes shot over the 200 yard range.... And therefore I fully recommend it as you first centre fire rifle.

 

They are becoming harder to locate second hand as they increase in popularity, a kind of 'Retro' comeback

 

If you are close to Dundee, you are welcome to try all of the calibres listed above, and .223, 308 etc and make your own mind up!

 

Ric is quite right, that not all Authorities will grant rimfire for fox, an d irrespective of other advice givn to you, I wouldn't set out to target fox with a rimfire, and choose not to shoot them my self unless under extreme circumstances.

[Bango 0]

If you can stretch your budjet take a look at the browning x-bolt rifle in 243.

 

This could fit your demands on a 243.

[mattydski 560]

If you can stretch your budjet take a look at the browning x-bolt rifle in 243.

 

This could fit your demands on a 243.

 

Nothing wrong with a Browning Xbolt in .243 or any other .243 but the OP requires the rifle to do rabbits and fox. I think we would all agree that a .243 is a tad too much in those circumstances.

[ace32 4]

well .22 will not be granted for fox,more or less any where,and a lot wont grant .17hmr for it neither,i think the smallest cf is about the hornet,which is ideal for fox,just a tad over power for bunnies,well my reloads make a canny mess if you body shoot them,happens now and again,due to wind,but the .22 hornet is a lovely little rifle,and about as loud as an hmr with a half decent mod on her,ideal for long range sniping, 125 yds plus,love mine but busy playing with the hmr at the moment,ian

[kingnewport 19]

I had .22 rim for fox and I've got a .17 hmr now fir fox and bunny . I'm in south Wales and my Fao said .22 is fine for fox, it comes down to distance and shot placement

[Bango 0]

If you can stretch your budjet take a look at the browning x-bolt rifle in 243.

 

This could fit your demands on a 243.

 

Nothing wrong with a Browning Xbolt in .243 or any other .243 but the OP requires the rifle to do rabbits and fox. I think we would all agree that a .243 is a tad too much in those circumstances.

 

Agreed didn't see the 'Rabbit' usage

[gav22 24]

a .22 magnum would do the job nicely it wont stop a fox at 200 yards iv shot a fox at 130 yards and it dropped no problem with a well placed shot and it dosnt make as much of a mess of rabbits as the hornet and there cheap to buy

[Colster 1]

I'd sound your FEO out on their opinion on minimum calibre for fox. It's not unheard for them to grant rimfire for fox but a lot won't. Personally speaking, a rimfire will do the job but you need to re-think your maximum range, out to 100 yards might be fine on rabbits with LR but don't expect it to drop a fox at that range.

 

If they're not open to rimfire for fox, then you would be looking at a small centrefire as a minimum, 22 Hornet, .204 Ruger etc or look at the higher end (.22-250,.222,.223), these would give you the opportunity to take small deer (CWD, Muntjac) too.