Cheapest Caliber For Fox, Rabbit And Zero?

[Matthew Phillips 36]

Hi guys,

 

What's the cheapest caliber to shoot at fox, rabbit and zero? 22rf is cheap but not suitable for fox, 17hmr is loud and expensive, anything bigger is going to cost loads to shoot.

 

Also if someone could possibly let me know the rough cost per 50rounds in 22rf, 17hmr, 22hmr, and some other suitable calibers that would be greatly appreciated.

 

Any advice would be great, thank in advance.

[TheRealChuckNorris 42]

I'd think about two different calibres and you'll be able to read many opinions on the best for each job but I went down the popular route of .22lr (for target work and small vermin in the field) and .223 for foxes and longer range target work.

 

You can try to compromise too much by picking one calibre for all your work (that's if Glos will pass it).

 

Ammo cost wise, .22lr from £3.50-£9 a box dependant on brand and I pay about £16-£20 for a box of 20 .223. You can get cheaper and more expensive brands but I stick to what works well in my Ruger and Howa.

 

Have a look here by way of costs, I use them as they have a wide range of stock at competitive prices. Other stores are available

 

http://www.dauntseyguns.co.uk/categories.php?cat=11000

[shropshire dan 467]

Hmr im paying £15 for 50. Some say capable of fox at 120 ish yatds but ive only taken short range fox with mine so far. Rabbits out to 150 yards is fine for the hmr once your used to it. A hmr is great for fox and rabbit and rabbits dont spook as much as youd think with the crack

[Matthew Phillips 36]

Thanks both for the responses. The link to the prices for ammo is great, thanks for that.

 

The issue with two calibers is the cost....., thus i've seen the Sako quad but then that's only for rimfire.

 

I'm thinking it might be a safe bet to go with 22rf for rabbits and hare, then something more substantial for fox. What would be a good cheap fox ammo. I don't want to go down the route of £1 every time i pull the trigger. My Semi auto shotgun at 20p a go seems to cost me a fair bit when i get trigger happy!

[shropshire dan 467]

I think a .223 is probably the cheapest but that will still cost you at least £15 for 20 rounds.

 

Your not going to get anything cheaper or more versatile than a .17hmr matey.

 

IF your feo will clear .22lr for fox then well placed 60yard head shot will drop charlie.

Edited May 25, 2014 by shropshire dan

[delswal 3,819]

.22 hornet , using ppu ammo @ £50 a 100 from henry kranks……….ideal for fox ……..dont think ya will find much cheaper than that for a centre fire

[Bunny Boiler 177]

.22lr gives options of supersonic (fox) and subs (small game). 100% my choice.

[Alsone 789]

 

Hi guys,

 

What's the cheapest caliber to shoot at fox, rabbit and zero? 22rf is cheap but not suitable for fox, 17hmr is loud and expensive, anything bigger is going to cost loads to shoot.

 

 

.17 HMR is a necked down .22 WMR case, so you're not going to find .22 WMR quieter than .17 HMR.

 

Anything is loud compared to a .22 sub, even some air rifles!

Edited May 25, 2014 by Alsone

[alan81 110]

.17 HMR for rabbit and if you meet a fox out to 150 yards it will take him to. .204 or .223 for fox and your good out to 300+ yards.

I wouldn't worry about ammo cost for a .204 or .223 if its for hunting and not targets.

[TheRealChuckNorris 42]

The thing to remember is that for foxing rounds (I'm talking centre fire rounds here - .223 and the like upwards) you're not going to be blatting loads of shots off in one session. A pack of 20 rounds might last you a while unless your place is overrun with foxes.

 

Shotguns are easy enough to loose a few carts off and not think too much of it but you don't do the same thing with a centre fire round. For starters you need to ensure there's enough safety around the shot (clear line of sight and adequate backstop) and then you really need your target to be static. One shot from a big rifle needs to be enough to do the job and unless you've got other foxes that want to hang around for more of the same you may not even get two shots off in one evening.

 

I've had quite a few mornings where I've not taken any deer and my ammo has gone back in the pouch ready for next time so although it may cost me £25 for a box of my fav .243 rounds, I don't burn through them quickly and it all evens itself out.

 

Cost is important but comparing it to shotgun cartridge costs isn't totally comparing apples with apples if you get what I mean.

[SportingShooter 0]

On the subject of cost, cheaper is definitely not always better when it comes to ammunition,

 

Some rifles will love the cheaper stuff, others will throw it like a shotgun.

 

As Chuck says, the volume of centrefire rounds fired is small so personally, I prefer to have a good round, that I know works well in my rifle and drops whatever I shoot at on the spot.

 

I'd rather that than have an inaccurate rifle and the risk of wounding something.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Get yourself a .22 hornet, and reload for it, works out @ around 20pence per bang, and 200 yard foxes are no problem, cracking little round the hornet, and with a good moderator like a PES small centerfire on board, its quiet as you are ever going to get a cf.

[slipper 116]

I have been thinking about the 22hornet for a while now Charlie caller, I would like to get one as a nightvision cf setup, its just finding a legitimate reason to have one as I have a 223, will the fao let me have one?

[shropshire dan 467]

Im sure the reason of a dedicated nv setup will suffice chris. Ive asked my feo for a second .22lr and he said why I replied as a nv setup and he said that's fair enough

[slipper 116]

That will do then, variation incoming!