.375 Ruger vs. fox

Big Uncle · 12-23-2010, 07:22 AM

This morning I shot a red fox with a .375 Ruger. The fox had been hanging around my wife's birdfeeder, and has been leaving his droppings on the sidewalk to the garage (I did not like that). It was a monster of a fox, weighing in at about 20 pounds! The 270 grain Hornady soft point gave complete penetration and did the job well enough without expansion.

I loaded a soft point in the chamber and had the magazine stuffed with 300 grain solids in case he charged after the first shot.

I hope to shoot another fox at some point with my .375 H&H so that I can compare the two rounds on game other than cape buffalo. The Ruger works nicely on buffalo, and I am happy to report that it is entirely adequate for red fox.

ipscshooter · 12-23-2010, 08:12 AM

I've got a ferocious gray squirrel stealing acorns out of my front yard. What cartridge would you recommend for this fluff-tailed beast? I was thinking it might be a good excuse to acquire a .416 Rigby...

Big Uncle · 12-23-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipscshooter

I've got a ferocious gray squirrel stealing acorns out of my front yard. What cartridge would you recommend for this fluff-tailed beast? I was thinking it might be a good excuse to acquire a .416 Rigby...

I think a .375 with a tough bullet should be Ok on this type of thin skinned dangerous game. I have scopes on my .375 rifles but don't have one on my .416 Rem. A scope would probably come in handy in dealing with the acorn stealing beast.
I would make sure my insurance was paid, and try to have someone with a heavy stopping rifle nearby before facing the "gray death"!

Maine Shooter · 12-23-2010, 12:53 PM

geeze and to think I always thought those foxes were rimfire class. Silly me. Wrried now that if a .375 Ruger is required for a fox, I'm thinking I best up the present compnay some. Figured I was covered with the .405 Win in the #1, but that's probably only suitable for a medium coyote.

Big Uncle · 12-23-2010, 01:22 PM

I might have been a bit over-gunned. I was really disappointed with this particular fox's behavior and thought a large slug would teach him better manners.

Pawildman · 12-23-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Uncle

This morning I shot a red fox with a .375 Ruger. The fox had been hanging around my wife's birdfeeder, and has been leaving his droppings on the sidewalk to the garage (I did not like that). It was a monster of a fox, weighing in at about 20 pounds! The 270 grain Hornady soft point gave complete penetration and did the job well enough without expansion.

I loaded a soft point in the chamber and had the magazine stuffed with 300 grain solids in case he charged after the first shot.

I hope to shoot another fox at some point with my .375 H&H so that I can compare the two rounds on game other than cape buffalo. The Ruger works nicely on buffalo, and I am happy to report that it is entirely adequate for red fox.

..... I'll bet the sweat was standing out on your brow for a bit until you saw it drop!! I can only imagine the heart-pounding exhilaration of such an experience!! Congratulations are in order for such a triumphant adventure.... Bigger gun next time, or are you steadfast in the .375's worthiness??

Backwoods7 · 12-24-2010, 11:33 PM

Time for you to get a 470 express for deer season lol

bronko22000 · 12-25-2010, 06:30 AM

I would imagine that if that 375 bullet had a brain it would have though something like "Did I just go through something? I think I felt a disturbance in the force!"
That bullet probably performed the same as a FMJ would have on that fox.

Swampdog · 12-25-2010, 06:55 AM

.......LOL ,Don't let 'em get to you BU .Strange acting fox, dog, raccoon,I'll pop it with whatever I can get my hands on.I nailed the biggest prettiest true red fox I have ever seen about 25 years ago with .243 Dang near turned him inside out.Was going to have him mounted .But everybody was afraid somebody might see them.