Advice Please - long range fox gun

[Nick S]

.220 Wilson Arrow.

Might not be the best choice if you don't reload (sorry Divey)
My vote would be .223 if you want cheap, available ammo, or a .204 if you want to flatten the trajectory for longer PBR.
Just my opinion

[Simpson]

I don't think you could go wrong with a 223, 204, 22-250 or 243 for a long range fox rifle.

I would weigh up the price of ammo in your area, the amount of recoil and barrel life for each of them. My pick would be 223 considering those factors.

Either that or just buy one of each

[wem]

.243W Remington CDL

[jt]

if you like Remingtons then check out page 65 in the latest S.S.A.A. magazine 'AUSTRALIAN SHOOTER'. Since you are in W.A. get your local gunshop to equal or better the deal.
jt.

[Davyd]

.223

I would not do a light though - for those ranges a lightly heavier rifel helps in both sitting firmly and being able to see your shots - hence walk your bullets if you need to.

My furthest rabbit was 450m on the second shot with Remmington 700VS and factory Remmington accutips 50gr bought second hand for $1500 a number of years ago. I now use a much more expensive Blaser R93 but being lighter I am not sure I could readily replicate that shot and have more difficulty tracking my shots as I lose the sight picture more when I fire.

[prodj1000@hotmail.com]

davyd
i think you should post a picture of that blaser and what does it shoot like

[Davyd]

Prodj

Here are some shots of the R93 rifle and victims from last year
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e234/ ... uary%2006/
The distances to the forrested fenceline are around 150m. The 450m shot happened at another time along the same fenceline. The setup Blaser R93 Professional, .223 Jagdmatch barrel (24 inch heavy profile fluted), Leupold VXIII with TMR reticule added and Harris tilt adjustable bipod. The setup for 450m was exactly the same but with the remmington rifle not the Blaser in fact the shot was taken from within yards of where I shot the fox in the photo.
Unfortunately showing shots of both rifles side by side would simply show my limitations as a shooter. The Blaser is a wonderful rifle I think the issues is my ability to shoot a lighter rifle as accurately. People accostomed to shooting bigger rifles can probably do so much better than I. There may also be the fact that the remmington Accutips seem to shoot very well with the remmington rifle, though the blaser has a reputation for shooting factory loads extremely accuartely.

[macjeffrey]

.223

I would not do a light though - for those ranges a lightly heavier rifel helps in both sitting firmly and being able to see your shots - hence walk your bullets if you need to.

My furthest rabbit was 450m on the second shot with Remmington 700VS and factory Remmington accutips 50gr bought second hand for $1500 a number of years ago. I now use a much more expensive Blaser R93 but being lighter I am not sure I could readily replicate that shot and have more difficulty tracking my shots as I lose the sight picture more when I fire.

Davyd, thankyou for your advice. I think it makes good sense to avoid a lite for accuracy reasons. From your collective advice it's clear that a .223 best meets my requirements. I've looked at a few different brands and really liked the feel and bolt action of the Tikka rifles so will investigate their other models (besides the lite). Cheers fellas, Jeff

[ogre6br]

if reloading a 17 fire ball ( or for something bigger a 204R)
if shooting factory a 204R

later
p

[Divey]

macjeffrey,

Okay, so you're not into reloading, no problems.

You are asking for a 'long range fox rifle', don't beat about the bush, go and get yourself a .220 Swift and be done with it!! keep the brass and send it to me, I'll pay for postage.

The heavier .224 bullets will buck the wind so much better than the .17's and .204's and at the same time give you equivalent velocities.

I'm going to put my flame suit on now

Regards,
Lindsay.

[Rinso]

You want ..

a rifle thats cheap to run on factory ammo
effective on foxes, rabbits & cats out to 250 + if you do your bit ..
Capable of dropping a pig or goat if the opportunity presents

You need
Remington XR 100 in 223
.. if you dont like the single shot XR 100 then Reminton VSSF or VLS.

Don't skimp on the mounts and scope and you have a top outfit.

All good

cheers
Rinso

[Divey]

Hey Rinso, he wants a long range fox file. 250 metres is NOT long range!!

[Rinso]

Divey,

250+ is further than most people ever shoot ... range estimates are not very accurate in my experience and can usually be halved ie thought it was about 400 .. really turns out to be 200 - 230.

Not directed at you mate just a general observation.

Factory ammo is not cheap for most larger 22 cals and then you should get a 243 or maybe a 25.06 or a 6.5 x 55 where do we end up.

223 is cheap to run, will meet or exceed most peoples needs .. an when it time for another purchase you have a good trade/sale item or a good step to the next level ie 223 and 6.5x55 swede not too much you cant do with that line up in the safe and it wont break the bank.

cheers
Rinso

ps I would recommend a 25.06 Sako Varmit (or similar) for a real long range varmit rifle

[Divey]

Happiness is a headshot at 300 metres.

I just had point that out!

After many seasons of fox shooting using a .222, I became so frustrated at not being able to deliver the goods at 250 - 300 metres. After much deliberation, I built my own custom .220 Wilson Arrows, they delivered the goods that I disparately needed. They still deliver the goods!

They are NOT .220 Swifts, however, they are very, very close sisters.

I really do understand what you are saying about measurements. I've seen a lot of shooters stretching the tape measure to the limit. I don't have to worry about that sort of crap, I'm getting a little too old for it.

Skins are not worth a great deal of money these days, but, I do believe that the young ladies, walking like pissed horses on the catwalk, are getting a little bit more used to wearing fur .
Until such times have been proved correct, let's rip in to 'em with a .270 Winchester. The old .270 still shoots flatter than most others

Regards,
Lindsay.
(Still wearing the flame suit!!)

[GIJ]

If you're shopping in Perth i'd suggest Claremont Firearms in Bibra Lake 94941380 or mail order from http://www.armscar.com.au/ , his prices are good if you're not from over east. Most of the guys in Perth can be a rip off. Eg. box of 17hmr Feds at Claremont $20, at another $27.