Advice Please - long range fox gun

[macjeffrey]

GIJ, you're right, their prices are the best in Perth. As fate would have it I've decided on a Tikka T3 223 in varmint stainless from Claremont Firearms. Thanks again for all your advice and suggestions.

[Werribee]

Whislt regarded as "yesterday's calibre", a .17Rem , not HMR, would be just the thing for long distance fox shooting.

[Davyd]

Mac

Sounds like a good one for longer shooting. I like the Tika's though I don't have one myself. There are a number of good suggestions here but it sounds like you have chosen a pretty good one to me.

I was out on the weekend and did a couple of foxes and around 20 rabbits - essentially using the combination you will have - but using the HMR rather athn .22 mag. I am coming to really like the HMR - freindly to use and a good range on it but for the longer range open shots it can't match the .223 - nor can it match the explosive effects on rabbits

[Werribee]

I think the HMR is a fantastic longer distance rabbit rifle. Am wary on using it on foxes, no matter how many posts I read of "head shot kills at 150+ metres".

In all fairness to the calibre, you are shooting a 17 grain - tiny bullet- at speeds which cannot be compared to a .17Rem centrefire with bullets weighing almost twice as much.

Up to 100 metres, I would have a go at fox with HMR, beyond that, and really as better all round foxe calibres, use Hornet ( quiet, 35-45 grain bullets) or .222- to just make very,very sure.

[Knackers]

I think the HMR is a fantastic longer distance rabbit rifle. Am wary on using it on foxes, no matter how many posts I read of "head shot kills at 150+ metres".

In all fairness to the calibre, you are shooting a 17 grain - tiny bullet- at speeds which cannot be compared to a .17Rem centrefire with bullets weighing almost twice as much.

X 2, I reckon they are and excellent rabbit rifle but I agree with Holdenv8 and always take the .223 when looking for foxes.

[Nick S]

I think the HMR is a fantastic longer distance rabbit rifle. Am wary on using it on foxes, no matter how many posts I read of "head shot kills at 150+ metres".

In all fairness to the calibre, you are shooting a 17 grain - tiny bullet- at speeds which cannot be compared to a .17Rem centrefire with bullets weighing almost twice as much.

X 2, I reckon they are and excellent rabbit rifle but I agree with Holdenv8 and always take the .223 when looking for foxes.

X 3, I reckon for cats too, although the right gun to shoot a cat with is the one that's in your hands at the time

[GIJ]

I'm one of those "head shots at 150m" people but what I don't say is how many fox shots I pass up because I can't get the perfect shot.
Anything less than perfect with the hmr equals messy and I believe even foxes deserve better then that.
So my mate is usually hanging out of the window behind me with his 243 waiting for me to say "yours"

Then there's a whole different kind of messy.

[Dr G]

agree totally GIJ

personally i leave the 17hmr as a rabbit gun only because most cats and foxes i see are from a distance. basically we cant afford to f@#k up and teach a cat or fox to become spotlight shy so its always a centrefire for both of them

[woob614271]

Just a late add-on; while I was in the gun shop this arvo I saw one the Steyr Mannlicher Varmint rifles in 223: ttp://www.steyrarms.com/index.php?id=234
The look of the fluted, hammer-forged barrel just blew me away...
The price is very scary through...

[ogre6br]

if junedoolup firearms is still about- try them they had a Tikka 595 in .223 S/S or S/Wood for good $$ with mounts etc- it ws their display rifle.

I am a bit of a Tikka nut and have a definite preferance for the older 595/695 models over the T3- it's purly from a fit/finish woodwork point of view not from an accuracy point of view.

Thomo's T3 Varmint taught me what a flat shooter is really like.

I would suggest you shoose the varmint model in 204 R as it's weight is not all that much more than other brands sporter weight rifle and you get all the advantages of a HB varminter without the weight penalty.

the Federal 39 grain load will do the business for you out as far as you can place the projectile

later
p

[Shamous1]

I'd get a Tikka T3 .204 but what would I know. I am only just getting back into the sport after getting married (15 years ago ).

Picking one up next week.

[macjeffrey]

Hi fellas. I have bought and picked up the T3 - .223 stainless, varmint barell, 5 shot mag. Can't wait to try it out. Now to choose a scope .....

[Rinso]

macjeffrey,

Have a look here

http://www.vortexoptics.com.au/

If you decide to go with one when you ring or email tell them you are from this forum.

cheers
Rinso

[1kshot]

223 hands down cheep to run, accurate, ammo in the cab of most utes (you get it every where), no recoil, any one can shoot it and you'll bail over bunnies to pigs no problem

All the best
John

[Shamous1]

Sorry to sidetrack this thread guys but was wondering what everyones thoughts are on the following.

I want to buy a couple of centrefires that I can give to my 2 sons.

I will be picking up an Anschutz .222 this week and would be looking at getting something fairly similiar to this.

I noticed .223 seems to be a pretty good calibre, recoil wise and just wanted to know what others around .222 and .223 would be good choices.