Fur caliber.....

[Nunk]

I am buying a .223 and having it rebarreled to either a 17 Rem, 17 Mach IV, or 221 Fireball. I will be ordering a barrel. I would like the gun to be a great fur gun. In other words, I can shoot fox and coyotes and not have a huge exit wound. I will be using a light bullet, from either 25-42 grains, no bigger. I need some suggestions on the how long the barrel should be, I can get it as long as 27", and what rate of twist to get. The company is offering 1:9 twist only for the 17's and 8, 12, or 14 twists for the 221 Fireball. What are your thoughts on which is the best caliber of the three and do you have a suggestion for length and twist? How about bullet weights? I'll shoot some whistlepigs with it, but it will be my primary fox/yote gun out to 200 yards. Thanks!!

[pharaoh2]

Don't go too long. If your barrel is too long, your powder will be burnt before your bullet leaves the barrel. The result is parasitic drag and loss of velocity. As for the calibers, that ol' 223 would work great. Just be careful what bullets you choose. If you do rebarrel, the little .17 would be great. Even if it did exit, you have a hole you could fill with a couple pieces of fur.

[Nunk]

I should have said that I am a lefty and I can't get any of those 3 calibers in a standard gun, hence, buying a .223 and having it rebarreled. I personally think the .223 is too much for fox fur and want to go with one of the three calibers listed. I plan on keeping the bullet gr. weight low to avoid fur damage as well but having quick humane kills is always top priority. I know there is a gun and bullet weight that will do both. I am leaning toward the Mach II and the Fireball only because they are a tad different. I figure if I have a semi-custom gun, I should have a semi-custom caliber. LOL!! I will go with the 17 though if I like it and feel it will do the job. Just want to hear some opinions.

Thanks pharaoh2!! Good advice.

[gopher slayer]

i dont know about where you live but around my parts the only one of those calibers i can find is the 17 rem. if you not reloading have a look at your selection. i dont know about those other calibers but that little 17 rem is going at 4000+ FPS and i think that preaty cool.

[Nunk]

Hey gopher. I am in PA. I have found all of those barrels, no problem. I'll give you a few weblinks if you'd like.

I will not be reloading for this gun. I have absolutely no interest in reloading so I'll be using all factory ammo.

The bottom line is this...I am looking for an excellent fur gun that will take fox and yotes out to 200 yards with minimal fur damage. A humane kill is the most impt. thing however. I may use it for an occasional groundhog but my .25-06 is my main ghog gun.

With that in mind, which caliber and bullet weight would you suggest? I have been hearing great things about the 22 Hornet for my requirements as well.

Thanks.

[Nunk]

I'm not too concerned about getting factory ammo. It's out there. Here's what's available...

Remington

17 - 25 gr HP
17 - 20 gr Accutip

22Hornet - 45 gr PSP
22Hornet - 45 gr HP

221 Fireball - 50 gr Accutip Boattail

Cooper Ammunition

17 - 20 gr VMax
17 - 25 gr HP

17 Mach IV - 20 gr VMax
17 Mach IV - 25 gr HP

22Hornet - 37 gr HP
22Hornet - 42 gr HP

221 Fireball - 37 gr HP
221 Fireball - 42 gr HP

So, there are factory loads out there fellas. What's your thoughts? I have a lot of people telling me to reload. I don't reload and have no desire to. Hope this info helps you guys out with an opinion. Thanks so far!!

[killer243]

200 yards or less is perfect range for the 221 fireball. it is traveling slower and i have never had any probs. with it. however with the 17 rem. works great to. however with factory ammo i would have to go with the 221 because a lot of the 17 rem. ammo will spash on impact.

i would go with a 20 inch barrel. 24 max. however the 20 will make it easier to swing and there won't be much loss in velocity

[Nunk]

Thnaks gs and killer!! Keep the ideas coming. Thanks all!!