Foxing With A Normal Shotgun Load?

[Luto 0]

I'm new to shooting foxes with a shotgun. I have photographed them and shot them with rifles. However I need some advice: firstly can I shoot them with a 12bore with full choke firing 32g of no 7 shot.

Secondly do I need to shoot them in the head or hart and lungs.

 

Thanks for the help, Luke.

[air gun ant 1,666]

dont even think about shooting them with no 7 shot please mate in my opinion you shouldnt use anything less 5s but preferably 1s 0s or bb is what would be classed as a fox load

[drakeshead gunner 26]

Yeh defo agree with ant, number 7's are a clay or pigeon load. If I were for instance on a pheasant shoot and a fox came out I'd use my no 5 but if I were specifically out after fox nothing less than a no3. And just swing through it and as long as your hitting it in top third of its body (nose to front shoulder) it won't be going anywhere. Even if you were to arse end it, the fox would be knocked of its feet giving you chance for a follow up shot.

 

Good luck

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

I'm new to shooting foxes with a shotgun. I have photographed them and shot them with rifles. However I need some advice: firstly can I shoot them with a 12bore with full choke firing 32g of no 7 shot.

Secondly do I need to shoot them in the head or hart and lungs.

 

Thanks for the help, Luke.

yup a good dose of some thing large..ive shot more foxes when out after other things than i have then looking for foxes. but ive always used the same as i use for geese......46gram alphamax 3s not much shakes a dose of them off!

[The one 8,476]

A few do get shoot as there pushed out of cover on a pheasant drive but hopefully its heavier shot than number seven mate , when i go looking for them its bb's in one barrel and threes in the other , But as said when they have bolted unexpectedly a load of numbers fives at short range will kill them out right

[kingnewport 19]

I dont even use a 7 load. Always BB or AAA

[Born Hunter 17,763]

Early in the year there will be a fair few foxes flushed on a partridge drives and no doubt shot at with #7s. And no doubt as many wounded as killed.

 

Just don't unless you've practically tripped over it. Drop a couple of 36gm BBs in ya pocket for such opportunities.

[Deker 3,478]

Early in the year there will be a fair few foxes flushed on a partridge drives and no doubt shot at with #7s. And no doubt as many wounded as killed.

 

Just don't unless you've practically tripped over it. Drop a couple of 36gm BBs in ya pocket for such opportunities.

 

At last someone with a constructive comment!

 

If the fox walks passed you he will fall down easy with 7's.

 

If you are looking at foxes out to normal 12g distances, you certainly need a heavier load!

[Alsone 789]

I'm new to shooting foxes with a shotgun. I have photographed them and shot them with rifles. However I need some advice: firstly can I shoot them with a 12bore with full choke firing 32g of no 7 shot.

Secondly do I need to shoot them in the head or hart and lungs.

 

Thanks for the help, Luke.

 

It's unlikely to penetrate that far with No: 7.

 

NEVER attempt anything this large with shot so small.

 

3's at the smallest you should use although they're marginal.

 

No: 1's or BB's are best.

 

AAA's Ok but you're starting to get to the upper limit. I wouldn't go above AAA.

 

Use the heaviest load you're proofed for as heavier load = more shot = potentially more hits = more energy transferred.

 

Its the shock that kills not the penetration with a shotgun so you need a combination of energy delivered by the size of the shot + numbers. If you're short on either energy or numbers you won't kill. Hence the reason why very large shot aren't recommended either as although each shot carries more energy, you simply don't get enough numbers of hits to deliver sufficient shock. Hence the reason for mid sized shot as the cumulative effect of all the hits plus the energy in each gives enough to kill.

 

Also don't shoot from too far out and consider using a heavier than normal choke unless shooting at close range if you're specifically after fox.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Alsone

[Deker 3,478]

 

 

 

It's unlikely to penetrate that far with No: 7.

 

NEVER attempt anything this large with shot so small.

 

3's at the smallest you should use although they're marginal.

 

No: 1's or BB's are best.

 

AAA's Ok but you're starting to get to the upper limit. I wouldn't go above AAA.

 

Use the heaviest load you're proofed for as heavier load = more shot = potentially more hits = more energy transferred.

 

Its the shock that kills not the penetration with a shotgun so you need a combination of energy delivered by the size of the shot + numbers. If you're short on either energy or numbers you won't kill. Hence the reason why very large shot aren't recommended either as although each shot carries more energy, you simply don't get enough numbers of hits to deliver sufficient shock. Hence the reason for mid sized shot as the cumulative effect of all the hits plus the energy in each gives enough to kill.

 

Also don't shoot from too far out and consider using a heavier than normal choke unless shooting at close range if you're specifically after fox.

 

 

What shotgun do you use on the fox, and what cartridges do you use for your foxing work?

[Alsone 789]

I used to use 42g No: 1 though a Beretta Silver Pigeon (not my gun) from 2 3/4" Gamebore Mammoth Hi-Bird Cartridges (non magnum). They don't appear to make the load any more, only Magnum now.

 

If specifically going out for fox then I'd use 3/4 & full choke. If general walking round then 1/4 and 1/2 but restrict the range a bit more.

 

I also like to head shoot if the fox is face on with the bead roughly at the tip of the nose if at spreadable range. That way you get part of the load into the skull and the other part into the neck / chest. Obviously the aiming point has to be varied as at close range with full choke you'd blow the nose off (!) so at closer range I'd go straight between the eyes with a tight choke.

 

Always found it effective with an instant kill.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Alsone

[Deker 3,478]

I used to use 42g No: 1 though a Beretta Silver Pigeon (not my gun) from 2 3/4" Gamebore Mammoth Hi-Bird Cartridges (non magnum). They don't appear to make the load any more, only Magnum now.

 

If specifically going out for fox then I'd use 3/4 & full choke. If general walking round then 1/4 and 1/2 but restrict the range a bit more.

 

I also like to head shoot if the fox is face on with the bead roughly at the tip of the nose if at spreadable range. That way you get part of the load into the skull and the other part into the neck / chest. Obviously the aiming point has to be varied as at close range with full choke you'd blow the nose off (!) so at closer range I'd go straight between the eyes with a tight choke.

 

Always found it effective with an instant kill.

 

Does that read that you don't have a shotgun and have only been out with other people after the fox, and not for a while?

 

Have you got a SGC or FAC yet?

Edited October 28, 2013 by Deker

[Alsone 789]

I've had a SGC for 15 years. Yep I usually go out with my friend and yep I've not been foxing for probably 4 or 5 years.

 

I don't hold an FAC just walk round with him and spot when he has he rifles out. He has several calibres .22 RF, .223, .30-06, all on open ticket. So scenario are either I spot and he takes rifles, or we go out out with both (him rifles, me shotty), or shotgun only.

Edited October 28, 2013 by Alsone

[Luto 0]

Thanks for the help guys I have found some no5 semi mags at the back of the Cabernet ill use them.

Thanks again, Luke

[SportingShooter 0]

Thanks for the help guys I have found some no5 semi mags at the back of the Cabernet ill use them.

Thanks again, Luke

 

For me, I wouldn't use 5's at anything over about 15 yards, there just isn't the capable energy in them if you go much further and the risk of wounding will drastically increase,

 

Save yourself the disappointment and pick up something between AAA and No.3 in a heavy load and stick to sensible distances,

 

SS

 

P.S. or put in for an FAC.