What Rifle to get for mostly Fox Shooting??

RJ59

As the title suggests i want to get a rifle for fox shooting only done i little bit of target shooting wit .22s be4 its mostly shotgun shooting i do but i sick of not geting foxs within range to have a safeshot with the shotgun so i have decieded i want a shotgun so why type should i get?it will be mostly foxes i will be shooting.. i have 800euro for rifle and scope limted i no but hopefully i can pick up a good secondhand outfit??would appreciate any replys thanks in advance ross:D

RJ59

so i have decieded i want a shotgun?

sory dat should be rifle:o:o

tomcat220t

Get yourself a .204 and you will never look back;)

RJ59

how much would 1 of them set me back could u recomand any gud gunshops?iam based in offaly but can travel anywhere to get the rite rifle;)

rugerman

i have 204 in cz for 350 in kilkenny but check for ammo availability b4 u make any purchace on any caliber

poulo6.5

you wont go wrong with a .223 for price and availability of rounds.
a .223 will do anything a .204 will do but cheaper

as far as a rifle is concerned you cant go wrong with tikka. and you could pick up a new tikka t3 lite for €750. and i'm sure you could pick up a second hand one with a scope for handy money.

having said that. there are loads of good rifles out there going for handy money, you need to get out there to the shops and see what feels good for you in your hands.

most modern rifles are accurate and reliable so its just a matter of what suits you

enjoy the search for your rifle and keep us informed:D

RJ59

Thanks for the quickfeedback I don't have much experience but I have lot interest in shooting so iam keen to learn so it's a 203? I should be looking out for??any particular makes of guns??

gary29428

I have a Brno 22 Hornet and find it excellent on Foxes, not to load and packs a good punch. Have had it for about 10yrs now and can't fault it.

bunny shooter

poulo6.5 wrote: »

.........a .223 will do anything a .204 will do but cheaper ..........

No it won't :rolleyes:;)

Get a 204 Ruger. Best medicine for foxes :cool:

RJ59

Rite 204 it is:)..any 1 no any shops dat have a good selection of these guns?any what makes should I be looking for?? Da foxes in offaly won't be safe for much longer lol

poulo6.5

bunny shooter wrote: »

No it won't :rolleyes:;)

Get a 204 Ruger. Best medicine for foxes :cool:

i beg to differ BS.
it may pack slightly more punch but at hunting ranges it doesn't kill them any deader than a 223.
not to mention barrel burn and availability of rounds and price and choice. the list goes on.

i have shot and killed fox out to 400yplus with my .223. what more do you need.

it the interest of fairness i will say that the .204 is a great foxing round as is the 220swift and the .222 and .22hornet. or even the .22-250 or .243. if you want to stalk deer as well.

but as a foxing round and taking price and availability into account and reasonable safe shooting distances lets say 300y or so. what do all the others do that the .223 cant do.
NOTHING. a hit from any of the rounds mentioned above will end in the same way only the .223 can do it cheaper and with more choice of ammo;)

Tackleberrywho

bunny shooter wrote: »

No it won't :rolleyes:;)

Get a 204 Ruger. Best medicine for foxes :cool:

A .223 for a guy on a budget is his best bed as remington ammo can be purchased for €14 for 20. .204 ammo is double that.

If you refer to the poster, he is young with a small budget.
If you can afford it buy a .204, however if you only have €10-20 to spoend per week on Ammo a .223 is cheaper run

Remington secondhand SPS and a scope should be just about got for €800 depending on dealer and scope

In fact I would recommend a Remington VTR.223 as it is very handy size for lamping with a 20" barrel. My cousin used one with my Old Nikon Monarch scope 2.5-10x56 very successfully
However that could go over budget for OP.

A CZ.223 might be the cheapest and more versatile than a Hornet.
From a novices perspective, relatively flat trajectory may be easier to learn to shoot with.

RJ59

Seriously thanks so much for all the advice iam on a bit of a budget it's just iam an unemployed app sparky so don't have big money for an outfit I probs would have 20-30 a week for amo so I myte go for a 223

poulo6.5

RJ59 wrote: »

Seriously thanks so much for all the advice iam on a bit of a budget it's just iam an unemployed app sparky so don't have big money for an outfit I probs would have 20-30 a week for amo so I myte go for a 223

what part of the country are you from. i'm not to far from bunny shooter if you want maybe you could meet up with us and have a look at what my .223 is like compared to BS's .204.

RJ59

Yea mate dat would be klass Iam in tullamore

BELOWaverageIQ

Go to Des in outdoor sports in Mullingar 044-9333572, sound guy, he will sort you out with a second hand .223
.223 ammo cost and availability is much better than .204

RJ59

Thanks I just rang him he only has one secondhand and it's 1500 hundred dats twice my limit ha gonna be hard to find myself 1 I think:/

BELOWaverageIQ

Mate of mine has a Remington .223 he is looking to sell, pm me your contact details
Mark

tomcat220t

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

A .223 for a guy on a budget is his best bed as remington ammo can be purchased for €14 for 20. .204 ammo is double that.

If you refer to the poster, he is young with a small budget.
If you can afford it buy a .204, however if you only have €10-20 to spoend per week on Ammo a .223 is cheaper run

Remington secondhand SPS and a scope should be just about got for €800 depending on dealer and scope

In fact I would recommend a Remington VTR.223 as it is very handy size for lamping with a 20" barrel. My cousin used one with my Old Nikon Monarch scope 2.5-10x56 very successfully
However that could go over budget for OP.

A CZ.223 might be the cheapest and more versatile than a Hornet.
From a novices perspective, relatively flat trajectory may be easier to learn to shoot with.

.204 hornady ammo is from 22-25 euro a box .The cheap .223 ammo is exactly that for a reason !!This topic on fox calibers seems to come up often and just to say that ive had a very good .223 before i got a .204 and the .223 is just simply not in the same league ,sorry tac.Either way both will kill foxes well.

bunny shooter

poulo6.5 wrote: »

i beg to differ BS.
it may pack slightly more punch but at hunting ranges it doesn't kill them any deader than a 223.
not to mention barrel burn and availability of rounds and price and choice. the list goes on.

i have shot and killed fox out to 400yplus with my .223. what more do you need..............

I assume you have never used a 204 or put one up against a 223. I have 204 beats the socks off 223 in the wind, less recoil and longer barrel life if new info is correct :cool:

poulo6.5 wrote: »

what part of the country are you from. i'm not to far from bunny shooter if you want maybe you could meet up with us and have a look at what my .223 is like compared to BS's .204.

BS currently is using a 220 Swift but has bought a 204 :cool: Wouldn't take a 223 if I got it for free To be fair 223 has the edge on cheap ammo BUT most of it is crap over 100-150 yards

Remmy VSSF in 220 Swift for sale at €500 if your interested

kildare.17hmr

bunny shooter wrote: »

Remmy VSSF in 220 Swift for sale at €500 if your interested

is that just the rifle or is there a scope included???

poulo6.5

bunny shooter wrote: »

I assume you have never used a 204 or put one up against a 223. I have 204 beats the socks off 223 in the wind, less recoil and longer barrel life if new info is correct :cool:



BS currently is using a 220 Swift but has bought a 204 :cool: Wouldn't take a 223 if I got it for free To be fair 223 has the edge on cheap ammo BUT most of it is crap over 100-150 yards

Remmy VSSF in 220 Swift for sale at €500 if your interested

correct. i never shot a .204. i have used a .220. and yes they are more powerful than a .223 but to what advantage.

i would love to compare them side by side and as you know i only live a few miles from you so we could go for a fox some evening if you want.
i have an open mind and i will stand corrected if the .204 can do anything my .223 cant do.

kildare.17hmr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4X25ZjJKE

Great .204 rugger video







Mod Edit - Done that for ya.

clivej

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4X25ZjJKE

Great .204 rugger video

(wouldnt embed for me!)

There you go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4X25ZjJKE

poulo6.5

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4X25ZjJKE

Great .204 rugger video

(wouldnt embed for me!)

its easy find exceptional shots on youtube. and i'm not doubting the power of a .204 but i am saying it is not as versatile as a .223

bullets from 40gr - 75gr hunting and target types. priced from €10-€30 for all needs

here is a video of a lad using a semiauto rifle not a target rifle hitting a target at some distance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9NkQldeu0

kildare.17hmr

Ah i no but thats just one of my fav youtube clips so couldnt resist puttin it up:D

both will kill a fox equally well out to 300/400, wouldnt think many foxes are shot past that distance in this country anyway

PS, how do you embed the clip???

Anto...

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4X25ZjJKE

Great .204 rugger video

(wouldnt embed for me!)

unbelievable shot

sikastag

Glensman on this forum has a Schmidt & Bender 6 x 42 for sale for €400 in the for sale/wanted section.
Surprised their arm hasnt been pulled off yet for that one!
If you could stretch your budget to maybe €500 for second hand rifle, couple that with the S&B scope youre on to a winner. Tikka i would recommend because i use them and am very happy with them, but plenty of others out there. If youre buying new, spend money on your scope if you can. Good luck with it.

Tackleberrywho

tomcat220t wrote: »

.204 hornady ammo is from 22-25 euro a box .The cheap .223 ammo is exactly that for a reason !!This topic on fox calibers seems to come up often and just to say that ive had a very good .223 before i got a .204 and the .223 is just simply not in the same league ,sorry tac.Either way both will kill foxes well.

I was speaking pure economically.

The OP like many; said he was on a budget.
Out to 200yards (~generic fox range max at might) the cheap ammo will still function; for as little as €10 a box.
One of my mates only uses Wolf ammo for price reasons solely.

If the OP says he can afford €22-25 a box then go .204.;)
If not, then .223

Off thread I got permission to shoot 2-3 farms today just by stopping to chat a farmer who was out foddering sheep

So my .223,Nightforce scope,LED LENSER P7 will be out in force tonight.

Snow on the ground means the Mardaí Rua will be on the move

No6

I have found the foxes very scarce around here at night in the cold and snowy weather, you'd see more during the day when you've got no gun with you!!!!:D

declan1980

not all cheap ammo is crap. a mate of mine uses only remington umc 45gr hollow points at €15 a box, in a cz 527 varmint
he shoots in excess of 200 foxes a year from 20 yards to 350 yards and i have rarely seen him miss, so saying cheap ammo is only good for 100-150 yards is bull.
you'll be able to find more second hand .223's than .204's so that is a good reason for getting a .223 as you'll be able to find some good deals out there

bunny shooter

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

is that just the rifle or is there a scope included???

No scope but there is mounts. What ya want jam on both sides

poulo6.5 wrote: »

correct. i never shot a .204. i have used a .220. and yes they are more powerful than a .223 but to what advantage.

i would love to compare them side by side and as you know i only live a few miles from you so we could go for a fox some evening if you want.
i have an open mind and i will stand corrected if the .204 can do anything my .223 cant do.

My brother is currently using a 204 I'll get back to you for a comparasion test.

poulo6.5 wrote: »

its easy find exceptional shots on youtube. and i'm not doubting the power of a .204 but i am saying it is not as versatile as a .223

bullets from 40gr - 75gr hunting and target types. priced from €10-€30 for all needs ..................

All dependant on twist in the barrel.

declan1980 wrote: »

so saying cheap ammo is only good for 100-150 yards is bull.

Not in my experience

declan1980 wrote: »

you'll be able to find more second hand .223's than .204's so that is a good reason for getting a .223 as you'll be able to find some good deals out there

Maybe because lads who have 204's don't sell 'em :D

daithi55

id have to agree with .223
have used them and cant fault it
i used to use American eagle 50 grain hollow points for 12 euro a box on foxes and it never let me down out to 250 yards and probably further only i wouldn't feel safe any further
i couldn't care how cheap the ammo is if it groups well that's all ya need it has more then enough power to drop a fox
when i got it first i spent about 100 euro on various brands of ammo from Wolfe federal, American eagle, sako and hornady i think

ya could have the most expensive rifle best scope and best ammo and still not hit the end of a barn with it
hes only starting off at the minute so he will also want to practise

dwighet

300 win mag

Its very forgiving...;);)

223 does it for me..Mind you I`ve never had a go at fox with a 204 so I guess im a bit biased.....

clivej

9 out of 10 foxes say they prefer the .223.
This is from survey taken each year going back to the early '70's

dwighet

clivej wrote: »

9 out of 10 foxes say they prefer the .223.
This is from survey taken each year going back to the early '70's

you would of been about 28 then?

clivej

dwighet wrote: »

you would of been about 28 then?

And still an old fart:o

The Big Fella

Im just after buying a CZ 527 .223 for €400 last week off carley and its in immacculate condition. Millet scope mounts were €80 and Ive a north star moderator ordered off fergal white for €290. Im only going to be using the hawke 3-9x40 scope on it until later in the year. I searched alot a dealers around the country till I found my gem.;) You should shop around and not be afraid to walk out of a dealers without buying. Plenty a good guns out there.

dwighet

The Big Fella wrote: »

Im just after buying a CZ 527 .223 for €400 last week off carley and its in immacculate condition. Millet scope mounts were €80 and Ive a north star moderator ordered off fergal white for €290. Im only going to be using the hawke 3-9x40 scope on it until later in the year. I searched alot a dealers around the country till I found my gem.;) You should shop around and not be afraid to walk out of a dealers without buying. Plenty a good guns out there.

your cz will serve you well..
I`ve had a few over the years and cannot fault em at all...all the best wit it

poulo6.5

bunnyshooter wrote:

Maybe because lads who have 204's don't sell 'em :D

i was over with a dealer a while ago and he had 2 .204's and 2 .220 swift second hand. he is currently using a .204 him self and he said it was great for shooting crows at long distance:D

ormondprop

you can get cheaper ammo for a .223 but theres not much differance in price between premium .223 and .204,my preferance would be .204 and hopefully i'll get one in the next few years instead of my hornet, the hornet is perfect for all the lamping i do but the .204 comes into its own when your shooting long distance rabbits and crows during the day ,my fathers friend who does a lot of lamping had a sako in .223 and after using a .204 he loved it so much he rebarreled his sako in .204 and loves it, flatter and faster and less recoil so easier to stay on the target, but for your budget it'll be hard find a clean 2nd hand .204 with a scope,

how much experience have you at shooting long distance at night, if you dont have much there is no point forking out for the likes of a swift or .22/250 as they'll be overkill for the distances that your comfortable with and you wont be competent enough to take advantage of the extra power and distance you can get out of them, if your only going to be shooting foxes at less than 120 yards a .17hmr or .22wmr would be perfect and good and cheap on rabbits and crows aswell, if any further than that you'll be better off with a centrfire,

cheapest is .17hmr or .22wmr at 30-40 cent a shot
the cheapest centrefire to run is a .223 with cheap ammo like remington umc, wolf or american eagle ammo at about 50-75 cent per shot but not all rifles will shoot them accurately and its luck whether they will or not, for premium ammo your talking 1-1.75 per shot
hornet is about 80-1.10 a shot and is the least powerful centrefire but still capaple of knockin foxes out to 200 yards
.204 is about 1.25-1.75 a shot
swift, .17 rem and .22/250 can be over 2euro per shot

if you get either a .22wmr, 17hmr, .22 hornet, .17 rem, .204, .223, .220 swift or .22/250 i'm sure you'll be happy and they will all do a great job of knocking foxes

did u contact these guys
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055930717
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056100399

RJ59

Decided iam gonna go for a .223 rifle due to availability and cheapness of amo and plus it covers everthin I want in a rifle ..my budget is 800 for rifle and scope so could ye reccomand some 2nd hand makes and a rough price of what they should be and maybe if ye no any gunshops that has a nice selection of them thanks in advance Ross...

bunny shooter

clivej wrote: »

9 out of 10 foxes say they prefer the .223.
This is from survey taken each year going back to the early '70's

Considering 223's have only been licenced here for a few years that's a bold statement

bunny shooter

You won't go wrong with a 223 BUT just check with your firearms officer that your Super will licence one. There are a few that won't or will try make it hard to licence one.

Cass

You could start with Jim Griffin in Rahan, Tullamore. Shouldn't be too far from you.

Tackleberrywho

ezridax wrote: »

You could start with Jim Griffin in Rahan, Tullamore. Shouldn't be too far from you.

Also try James McBride in Athlone
Ballykeeran Sports Co.
Bullet Road, Ballykeeran, Athlone, Co. Wesrmeath.
James McBride
0906 73099
087 2696647

Scully Guns & Tackle
Pearse street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
0906 492486
086 8125266

Mullingar
Lakelands Shooting Centre
Tullamore Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

Ballinasloe
Edmund O'Hara
Neale, Kilimer, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Edmund
0909 9676338
086 8235336

Portlaoise
John Conroy
Hophall, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
057 8625692
087 2592946
Portlaoise Rod & Gun
62 Main Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
057 8621419
0449 223127
087 2598288

poulo6.5

mick dougan here in killarney has a new Remington sps & new mounts & second hand scope for €850.
he is a sound lad to deal with. i had a look at it last night. all in black

i have his number if you want

RJ59

is the remington sps a .223??

qould it be a gud foxeing outfit?

poulo6.5

RJ59 wrote: »

is the remington sps a .223??

qould it be a gud foxeing outfit?

ya its a .223. and it would be a great foxer.

niteowl84

poulo6.5 wrote: »

i have shot and killed fox out to 400yplus with my .223.

Hi Poulo6.5 just wanted to know what type scope and reticle do you use to shoot out to 400y plus?

Thanks

poulo6.5

niteowl84 wrote: »

Hi Poulo6.5 just wanted to know what type scope and reticle do you use to shoot out to 400y plus?

Thanks

The scope is a hawke sidewinder 30, 6-24x56 with a mil dot reticule