Foxing Help.

[shropshire dan 467]

Hi all having recently got my .22-250 ive been foxing 3 times. Each outing has presented a shot I went out sunday and had a fox in the crosshairs at a lasered 170yards before dark and I didn't feel confident with the shot WHY?

 

Ive zeroed up at 200yards and can get sub 1" group's yet didn't feel confident with that fox or the others and I really don't get why.

 

Ive taken a few rabbits with it furthest out to 190 yards so know im capable.

 

Just really don't get why I wasn't able to squeeze the trigger on a relatively easy shot in daylight. I'm still kicking myself niw for not taking the shot

 

Atb

Dan

[Ratmanwan 66]

Maybe a little buck fever with the new rifle over your longer than normal ranges ?. Relax, get the first one down and you'll feel a lot better on the next

[shropshire dan 467]

Cheers mate. The range has got me a little lol. 200+ yards id a long way as apposed to 100 lol

[hutchey 147]

Do some plinking or target shooting out to 200 and you'll feel better.

Maybe in the back of your mind you thought the shot wasn't as safe as originally thought.

I've done that loads and having second thoughts can sometimes be a good thing

[celticrusader 78]

You definatley need to put more ammo through it at varied ranges just to instill confidence into your new toy Dan, tbh mate its coz its new and you've yet to find you niche with it yet.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Maybe a little buck fever with the new rifle over your longer than normal ranges ?. Relax, get the first one down and you'll feel a lot better on the next

Totally agree, shooting targets is very different to shooting foxes, and good on you mate for not taking the shot if you are not confident, when the adrenalin kicks in, even a fox sized target can seem very small when the crosshairs are waving around, due to your raised heart beat, I have done the same thing on deer, put the rifle down, have a minute, take some deep breaths, if he is still there and you feel confident, put the cross on him and squeeze the shot off as soon as its in the right spot, the man who has never had a touch of buck fever, has done very little shooting in my opinion.

[shropshire dan 467]

Your absolutely right chaps thanks. A little practice is needed and im sure once ive dropped my first charlie with it ill be away. Its just that little doubt in the back of my mind that made me decide I couldn't make the shot

[celticrusader 78]

Charlie caller I do fully agree as I've had this myself on my first stalk, on my belly crawling then crouched running to get into a spot to take that shot at just over the 140yrd mark at a small roe to be breathing out my a** and not being steady enough to take the shot.

 

Also when borrowing a rifle its not the same as owning a rifle you have confidence in shot placement through your own experience, needless to say I came away empty handed first time around but I don't regret my decision and am proud I made the right choice.

 

Moving through different calibres and different quarry provides varied changes we need to adapt to and proves rifle work is no easy task but something that comes through practice and experience.

 

I hope to get out late tonight for a crack on Charlie so fingers crossed although it is quite quiet where I have permission for my .243

[3175darren 1,100]

The thing is you didn't fire, so no harm done,you didn't wise the fox up,so with any luck he will present himself again for you slowly slowly catch the monkey,it will come together,as said above build your confidence at that range maybe try a fox silhouette target, broadside and face on at different ranges then you can see your progress,whatever you do don't take it to heart your natural instinct kicked in, it wasn't right for you at that time and that level of control is what a load more rifle men should have,it is a good trait to have and will pay dividends in the long run,

[shropshire dan 467]

I do feel now that I could have made the shot. But as said instinct kicked In and I wasn't confident in that situation. Going to have another go on thursday. Ive found on this one permission I dont need to call as charlie uses the one field as a motorway it leads onto a train track so a natural road for them.