Fox rifle
#1
Fox rifle
So I'm thinking of picking up a new rifle for fox hunting and possibly woodchucks as well. It will be mostly used for game but I suppose I might keep the pelt occasionally.
I've been looking into either the Remington Model 7 CDL in .223 or the Savage 93R17 BVSS in .17HMR. And if I must use a scattergun I suppose I would.
Also what ammo/loads do you recommend (I'm not a hand loader)? If it helps, most of my hunting will be done in semi thick PA woods with fairly good visibility.
I've been looking into either the Remington Model 7 CDL in .223 or the Savage 93R17 BVSS in .17HMR. And if I must use a scattergun I suppose I would.
Also what ammo/loads do you recommend (I'm not a hand loader)? If it helps, most of my hunting will be done in semi thick PA woods with fairly good visibility.
#3
You are asking a cartridge to do two completely different tasks.
Groundhog (woodchuck) hunting can require some long shots, so a centerfire .22 like a .223 would be the best choice. A good groundhog rifle will kill any fox alive, but ruin the pelt with a very large exit hole. The only .22 centerfire that I know of that does not leave a very large exit hole is the .22 Hornet - and you really need to handload if you want a Hornet to shoot well.
I had a Savage in 17 like you mentioned. Mine wouldn't shoot very well. With most ammo it was a 2" rifle (at best) at 100 yards. It was even worse if there was any wind at all. However, most guys seem to like the rifle and cartridge.
If you don't handload you might have a tough time finding .223 ammo for a while. I have killed a bunch of foxes with a regular .22 long rifle rimfire, and it works very well at the ranges you mentioned
Groundhog (woodchuck) hunting can require some long shots, so a centerfire .22 like a .223 would be the best choice. A good groundhog rifle will kill any fox alive, but ruin the pelt with a very large exit hole. The only .22 centerfire that I know of that does not leave a very large exit hole is the .22 Hornet - and you really need to handload if you want a Hornet to shoot well.
I had a Savage in 17 like you mentioned. Mine wouldn't shoot very well. With most ammo it was a 2" rifle (at best) at 100 yards. It was even worse if there was any wind at all. However, most guys seem to like the rifle and cartridge.
If you don't handload you might have a tough time finding .223 ammo for a while. I have killed a bunch of foxes with a regular .22 long rifle rimfire, and it works very well at the ranges you mentioned
#4
Lots of options out there if you're willing to reload.
For a non-reloader: .22Win mag or .22 Hornet.
The 17cal rimfires are fine and dandy, but they haven't proven anything to me that would make me put them over the .22WMR.
For 25-50yrds, any of the rimfires would be fine.
I'd be going with (and do use myself) a .22WMR when Fox are the target of the day.
For a non-reloader: .22Win mag or .22 Hornet.
The 17cal rimfires are fine and dandy, but they haven't proven anything to me that would make me put them over the .22WMR.
For 25-50yrds, any of the rimfires would be fine.
I'd be going with (and do use myself) a .22WMR when Fox are the target of the day.
#6
22 Winchester magnum will do all that you ask. On a headshot on a large coon, it will blow both eyeballs out of the sockets, flatten foxes without ruining the pelt and buck wind much better than a 17.