understanding calibers

[adam1 2]

I'm considering looking into applying for my FAC mostly for rabbits but maybe the odd fox too but understand little to nothing about calibers, im under the impression a.17HMR or .22 lr may be the tool for the job but may be well off the mark, then ranges ? im lost can anyone point me in the right direction of a site or link with a good explanation of uses please.

Also what sort of acreage would i require,

Thanks

[SportingShooter 0]

Have a look here

 

http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/index...showtopic=67282

[adam1 2]

Thanks SS, I've already read that but was looking for something a little more detailed on the calibre's front,ie ranges trajectory etc what calibre (if there is one) is suitable for rabbit mainly (without destroying them) but still capable of the odd fox sensibly and over what ranges? Also different rounds for both or is there a round suitable for both. Novice questions from a novice person Thanks for your reply.

Adam

[SportingShooter 0]

Realistically your looking at two rifles, just my opinion of course, but if you plan to shoot Fox other than him cropping up when your out lamping, a dedicated Fox rifle is just more humane.

 

The .22LR is the bread and butter Rabbit round, if you couple subsonic ammunition with a moderated rifle then it can be supremely quiet. As a pure Rabbit round, it cant be beaten.

 

Anything from .22 Hornet to .243 is generally considered a Fox calibre. .223 being the most popular with a very varied selection of Ammunition available.

 

The .22 Hornet is an interesting round in that it will fire a relatively low velocity bullet but packs a big enough punch for Foxes to around the 200 yard mark. It will also give you good accuracy for headshots on Rabbits but only headshots.

 

If you consider the Hornet then you will need to reload

 

I know this is getting confusing now

 

If you want one rifle for mainly Rabbits with perhaps the odd Fox, then a .22LR is just about as good as it will get if you couple meat damage with the ability to take Fox at close range.

 

If you wanted two rifles, the .22LR and the .223 seems a popular combination

 

No doubt you will have more questions to clarify what I've just said

 

SS

[danebrewer10 6]

I'm considering looking into applying for my FAC mostly for rabbits but maybe the odd fox too but understand little to nothing about calibers, im under the impression a.17HMR or .22 lr may be the tool for the job but may be well off the mark, then ranges ? im lost can anyone point me in the right direction of a site or link with a good explanation of uses please.

Also what sort of acreage would i require,

Thanks

 

Have a look..... here... http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

 

as for the acreage... if you lived in a steep sided valley, not much at all, if you lived in wide open spaces on flat farmland, then probably quite a bit more, it all depends on that the firearms officer thinks....

[elvolcan 0]

I'm considering looking into applying for my FAC mostly for rabbits but maybe the odd fox

 

.17HMR

 

Great round can recommend it, ok out to 150+ yards for rabbits, can also take foxes at closer ranges.

 

.22LR is another choice, would be good also - has less range although the ammo is cheaper.

 

CZ make some very good rimfire rifles

 

 

I have a .17HMR (in sig) , and have a spare slot for a .22LR which I'll get in a little while, a semi automatic Ruger 10/22 synthetic blued.

 

 

 

ATB

Edited April 25, 2009 by elvolcan

[woz 260]

22lr for rabbits....quite and cheap to run..you will need a degree of skill to use one well.....

 

223 good fox round for 250 yards....

 

really these two calibre's are what everyone starts with and generaly sticks too......

[SEAN3513 7]

as said and agreed .22lr and .223

 

excellent advice from sporting shooter, a very good guide to get you started.

 

let us know how you progress.

 

all the best

 

 

sean

[adam1 2]

Thanks again for all your replys, as you quite rightly stated SS i have more guestions .

there seems to be plenty in favour of the .22LR and i have used one before with results i was happy with, but i still have little understanding of their limits, please can you tell me what range they would be suitable for on rabbits and the occasional fox as you put it as i would not be targeting foxes specifically, also the .17 HMR seems to have a ever increasing following and many seem to be leaving the .22lr in the cabinet in favour of them why is this, answers to the same questions would be helpful.

cheers

Adam

[SportingShooter 0]

I don't think the .22LR will ever be surpassed as a specific Rabbit calibre as with subs and a mod you can normally shoot a good few more than with the HMR.

 

Out to 100 yards if you know your rifle and bullet drop with the .22LR is a good effective range for a Subsonic Rabbit shot. If you are talking Fox, under 50 yards, as close as possible and always a Brain shot

 

The HMR has a great following, I have one for the Crows, Maggies etc Ammunition is more expensive for the HMR at around £12/50 it has the advantages of flat trajectory and a fair bit of power over the .22 but it also is more affected by the wind and noisy.

[SNAP SHOT 194]

in a 10mph wind blowing at 90 degrees the drift is 1.8 inches at 75 yards and 3.3 inches at 100 yards,

 

i'd say the 17 hmr has less drift, if you run the bc. and velocity for both through a ballistic calc. and find out....

 

i'll stick with the hmr............

[RicW 67]

I'm considering looking into applying for my FAC mostly for rabbits but maybe the odd fox too but understand little to nothing about calibers, im under the impression a.17HMR or .22 lr may be the tool for the job but may be well off the mark, then ranges ? im lost can anyone point me in the right direction of a site or link with a good explanation of uses please.

Also what sort of acreage would i require,

Thanks

 

Adam - this is as much a query as a suggestion. Perhaps the guys with experience would comment. How about using subs on rabbits and carrying a spare magazine filled with high velocity Eleys? I saw a test in Shooting Times which found the Eleys gave the best combination of penetration and expansion for fox.

Just a thought.

Ric

[Mr_Logic 5]

I'm considering looking into applying for my FAC mostly for rabbits but maybe the odd fox too but understand little to nothing about calibers, im under the impression a.17HMR or .22 lr may be the tool for the job but may be well off the mark, then ranges ? im lost can anyone point me in the right direction of a site or link with a good explanation of uses please.

Also what sort of acreage would i require,

Thanks

 

Adam - this is as much a query as a suggestion. Perhaps the guys with experience would comment. How about using subs on rabbits and carrying a spare magazine filled with high velocity Eleys? I saw a test in Shooting Times which found the Eleys gave the best combination of penetration and expansion for fox.

Just a thought.

Ric

I haven't seen that, but tbh I would disagree anyway - the 22LR isn't a mainstream fox round, so whatever ammo you use is marginal. You have to keep range short and shot placement accurate, and then it works. Forget taking high velocity ammo or whatever, doesn't make a sensible difference. Just put a subsonic in the right place - I assure you Charlie will fall over.

[RicW 67]

I'm considering looking into applying for my FAC mostly for rabbits but maybe the odd fox too but understand little to nothing about calibers, im under the impression a.17HMR or .22 lr may be the tool for the job but may be well off the mark, then ranges ? im lost can anyone point me in the right direction of a site or link with a good explanation of uses please.

Also what sort of acreage would i require,

Thanks

 

Adam - this is as much a query as a suggestion. Perhaps the guys with experience would comment. How about using subs on rabbits and carrying a spare magazine filled with high velocity Eleys? I saw a test in Shooting Times which found the Eleys gave the best combination of penetration and expansion for fox.

Just a thought.

Ric

I haven't seen that, but tbh I would disagree anyway - the 22LR isn't a mainstream fox round, so whatever ammo you use is marginal. You have to keep range short and shot placement accurate, and then it works. Forget taking high velocity ammo or whatever, doesn't make a sensible difference. Just put a subsonic in the right place - I assure you Charlie will fall over.

 

ok. thanks for that, I guess by the time you've changed the mag and loaded the HV into the chamber Charlie would be long gone anyway!

[adam1 2]

Cheers for your replys, this is exactly the information and type of debate i am looking for, i am in the process of trying to obtain enough permission to be eligable for a FAC. I am doing ok at getting smallholdings and livery yards but larger areas are a struggle, at the present moment i just shoot an air rifle (AA S410) and am a bit frustrated at the short ranges i am restricted to (i dont really take shots over 30 yds as i PERSONALLY think thats about the limit for 12 ft lbs ).

I am also tempted to look into an FAC air rifle as my struggle for suitable ground continues ( I am going to start a seperate post to find out the pros and cons of FAC air) this is a compromise on what i would ideally like but possibly a better situation than i'm in now if cant get any larger areas. Would holding an air FAC be of any benefit to a later application for further FAC's?

Cheers Adam

Edited May 1, 2009 by adam1