rimfire

[Squirrel_Basher 17,101]

Woodgas topic got me thinking about whether or not we should use a .22 rimfire for fox.Im sure we have all done it but used regularly ,how many foxes running off injured into the night is acceptable.If the quarry is rabbit and the rimfire is loaded with sub sonics,should we attempt a shot at a fox which unless a head shot could go either way ?

[Guest baldie]

As you say, we have all done it, i can only recall a few, and all were head shots, at around 50 yards ish.Even a high velocity is not a fox round really, and 9 out of 10 fac holders, will actually be breaking the conditions of their ticket by shooting at one, the rimfire is not a home office approved calibre for fox you see, and i dont know anyone, whose ticket is conditioned for fox in this calibre, except for humane despatch.

[pegandgun 52]

As you say, we have all done it, i can only recall a few, and all were head shots, at around 50 yards ish.Even a high velocity is not a fox round really, and 9 out of 10 fac holders, will actually be breaking the conditions of their ticket by shooting at one, the rimfire is not a home office approved calibre for fox you see, and i dont know anyone, whose ticket is conditioned for fox in this calibre, except for humane despatch.

I disagree with you there baldie.Most certificates actually say..and i guote (the 22rf and sound moderater and ammunition shall be used for shooting vermin and ground game and for zeroing etc ............)

I think this covers fox as foxes are vermin.Certicates dont have Crows,rats,black backed gulls etc written on them but you are within the law if you shoot any of them.

As far as a .22 being a fox calibre??My own opinion on that is that if your layed and your shooting off a good rest and the fox is within a reasonable range (say 50-60yds) and you take the fox through the head then i think a .22 is as good a fox killer as any other rifle on the marked.

Just because a calibre has been passed a as a fox calibre doesnt mean that it will kill foxes at any range,ie...a .222 is a great fox killer up to 150yds but useless at 1000yds.Its all about using your common sense and keeping within the calibres capabilities

As far as shooting foxes through the chest with a .22 at any range ...well in my opinion you are waisting your time and making an animal suffer unnecessarily and that is unexeptable......

[FOXHUNTER 5,021]

We have all done it , but only a head shot is fatal , I would never advocate a chest shot as you will probably only wound the fox , this is total bad practice.

 

If you are going to shoot foxes you should get a centrefire rifle and do the job properly , you owe it to your quarry

[Guest baldie]

Peg, that was the exact thing i said to my firearms department, when they found out i was shooting fox with the 17hmr. I said just the same, that they were vermin, and the certificate says vermin. Guess what? i was wrong. Foxes are not classed as vermin for the purpose of firearms licensing, and they are quite separate, apparently its written in the home office rules.Thats why, it specifically says, fox, when you get permission for them.

[Squirrel_Basher 17,101]

We have all done it , but only a head shot is fatal , I would never advocate a chest shot as you will probably only wound the fox , this is total bad practice.

 

If you are going to shoot foxes you should get a centrefire rifle and do the job properly , you owe it to your quarry

 

Totally agree mate which is why I bought the 222 The problem arises when you are rabbitting and you see maybe a particular fox you have been after .As we all know ,the .22 rf needs a bit of practice at different ranges to be efficient,and this margin of error is enough to hit the chest of a fox at ranges exceeding that which the sights are set for .I just wondered if anyone shot foxes regular enough with the rimfire to be confident in it .

foxdropper.

[pegandgun 52]

Very confident at close range with a .22.You may be right about that baldie but if ime sat with the .22 and a fox ive been after wonders past within 60yards its dead.Shooting foxes with a .22 is a personal thing.Theres plenty of lads out there that couldnt hit a rabbit at 30yards with a .22 but for people who uses and practices alot with that calibre a fox at reasonable range is very humane :whistle: ...To be fair i saw a guy (who has put a post on this thread) shoot a fox seven times with a .243.The first shot he had at it the fox was no more than 80yards,i still had to put the fox out of its misery after this guy shot the fox to bits :realmad: (not humane at all).Does this mean that a .243 is not a good calibre for fox???? Its the guy who is pulling the trigger who knows if the shot is humane or not

Just my peronal opinion .........

[Squirrel_Basher 17,101]

Nice answer p and g.

[Guest EWOK]

Called a fox in to within 100 yards a while back, shot him with a 6x45 using 85gr BTHP Gameking at 2600 fps. He never moved, just fell in his tracks, use the same bullet on whitetail, if placed right they don't go far.

[Squirrel_Basher 17,101]

"They dont go far". Nor would I mate .