Advice Please - long range fox gun

[macjeffrey]

Hi, I'm wanting a rifle capable of hitting a fox/cat at 200-300m (I have a 22 magnum and 12G U/O at present). I shoot maybe 5-10 times a year on farmland. I would appreciate some advice re calibre (e.g. .223) and brand. I just want something accurate, trouble free and good value. Need to have widely available off the shelf ammo. Am considering new Weatherby 223 or 2nd hand Ruger but have no real preference at present. Thanks, Jeff

[Ackley Improved]

If you do not mind a single shot, the Remington XR100 in 204 would do the trick.

For that range, flat shooting the 204 with 40's sounds alright!

Cheers
AI

[kjd]

.243

[czt3]

or 22-250

[Knackers]

a CZ sporter in .204, light, accurate, well balanced, excellent trigger.

[Rinso]

Any of the 22 family from .222 up will do as will everything up to the 257WBY.

What is your budget ?
What will it be .. walkaround or varmit ?
Is it for small game only or may bigger things be expected ?
Do you intend to reload or will you run factory ammo ?

cheers
Rinso

[Model70]

or 22-250

What he said

[243redmist]

T3 in 243 best of all worlds

[dave]

Sounds like you wont be handloading, wanting to spend $ on fancy factory ammo and or getting the rifle improved, am i right? If so a Tikka T3 lite in .223 has to be the way to go in my opinion

[macjeffrey]

Hi all, Thanks for the info. I am not into reloading or bedding, etc (yet), may get trigger lightened, will be using it from a vehicle at night spotlighting mostly, as I have a 12G and 22 mag for walking around/whistling during the day. May do a bit of rabbit sniping. Budget wise up to around $1500, no more. Saw a Tikka T3 lite .223 today and I thought it looked and felt the goods. Liked the bolt action, light weight and simple safety catch. Not convinced I need a 243 as there are no pigs or deer around where I shoot and don't want to over do it calibre wise. From others comments in the forums I'm assumuning the Tikka T3 won't dissappoint ?

[Knackers]

Just have a look and a feel of the CZ before you buy.

[HiWall]

Hi all, Thanks for the info. I am not into reloading or bedding, etc (yet), may get trigger lightened, will be using it from a vehicle at night spotlighting mostly, as I have a 12G and 22 mag for walking around/whistling during the day. May do a bit of rabbit sniping. Budget wise up to around $1500, no more. Saw a Tikka T3 lite .223 today and I thought it looked and felt the goods. Liked the bolt action, light weight and simple safety catch. Not convinced I need a 243 as there are no pigs or deer around where I shoot and don't want to over do it calibre wise. From others comments in the forums I'm assumuning the Tikka T3 won't dissappoint ?

T3 Lite will be fine if you want a cheap rifle that will do the job - excellent value for money and probably the single most popular rifle in Australia at the moment. A 'varmint' model and a good scope will stretch the $1500 budget pretty tight though.

[Brad Y]

A 22-250 will give you a bit flatter shooting and maybe a bit longer shot capacity too... And you can shoot 40gr pills at frightening speeds, or 60gr pills to stop things dead in their tracks.

But one thing to think about with the 223 is that the cost of ammo is very cheap compared to other centerfires. Rifle sounds right- very accurate from the box which is what you want. Maybe some of the premium factory rounds will shoot groups that cant be improved on with handloads...

[Rinso]

223 is a good choice .. it will kill effeciently with all smal game and is cheap to run on factory ammo.

As for type the Tikka as mentioned, Remington SPS or CDL will all do a good job.

For $1500 I would look at the second hand market and see whats about with scope and mounts all ready to go .. a bargain may be had. I purchased a 223 XR 100 Rem the other day fired about 10 rounds and came with Leupold mounts and rings for $1200. Also picked up a Rem VS 223 with virtually no wear for $800 so they are out there.

cheers
Rinso

[Divey]

.220 Wilson Arrow.