Best fox calibres?

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Slamfire76239

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I’m looking at getting a rifle for foxes and coyotes.

I’m stuck on 17 HMR or 22 WMR. Maybe a 22 Hornet.

Due to the price of ammo, I’d like to avoid the 220 Swift, 223, 222, 22-250, etc.

Do you guys think that 17 HMR or 22 WMR would be enough for foxes and coyotes? Average range that I’ve taken them at is from 75-125 ish yards.

Thanks!

SF
 
Depends on where you hunt, in my opinion. It doesn't take much to put either down; but because both are leery, shots (at least in my area) tend to be longer. What I have encountered, shots tend to be in the vicinity of 150 to 200 yds and beyond.
 
snooker said:
Depends on where you hunt, in my opinion. It doesn't take much to put either down; but because both are leery, shots (at least in my area) tend to be longer. What I have encountered, shots tend to be in the vicinity of 150 to 200 yds and beyond.
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Thanks for the feedback, Snooker!
 
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222 or 223 with 40 gr bullets.
 
Slamfire76239 said:
More power down range? I know the 17 is faster, but is it just because it doesn’t carry as much energy that you’d go with the 22 mag?
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17 is good close range. Probably going to drift if there is a good wind. One thing, I've read the 17 caliber you have to be careful cleaning the bore.

I know 17 hmr is good on gophers. Fast and flat trajectory. 22 mag is a bit cheaper for shells I think.
 
Best fox calibres?
I’m looking at getting a rifle for foxes and coyotes.

I’m stuck on 17 HMR or 22 WMR.

Of those 2 the 22 MAG for sure - Much Heavier bullet weight avail - YOTEs can be TUFF to KILL ! Shot placement is Critical - jmo RJ


A 22 Hornet would Be. BETTER then either of those two .
 
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Sorta depends on your intent - if you just want to make them dead, has been many killed with multiple cartridges - if it can take a deer, can take fox or coyote. If you want to take for pelts, you have likely eliminated the most popular in this area - .223 Rem or 22-250 Rem. If you just want to make noise to make them run away, about most anything?? Is many taken around here with .17 HMR - most often from a shooting rest, set up overlooking a bait pile.
 
As stated it depends how far and where you are. At 300+ yds I use a 243. If I think I’ll be 2-300 a 222 or 223 works great. If calling I like a hornet. My last coyote was 285(lasered) yds with a 17 Rem. Reloading lets me shoot a cf 22 for less than 22 mag.
 
If you're concerned about cost, the .223 is a top choice. Surplus ammo is and plentiful and cheap, common components make it cheap to shoot handloads, .223 has cheaper brass and bullets than the .22 hornet. But both the .17 HMR and .22 mag are more expensive to shoot than hand loaded .22 centerfires.
The .17 HMR is more fur friendly than anything else.
As a compromise, I'd choose the .22 magnum and know I was equipped reasonably well for coyotes up to 100 yds or so, foxes 150.
 
204 or 223. Reduced loads with lighter bullets for fox, full load for coyotes. 30gr Bergers in the 204 loaded down with 4895 work very well for fox. 35 or 40gr Bergers are extremely effective on coyotes.
Same as the 223. 30 or 40gr bullets loaded light for fox. 50gr and up for coyotes. I have even shot a few coyotes under 100yds with the light loads and they died just as well.
 
Most the foxes i shoot are with shotguns but ive taken many with 22mag. I hunt smaller woodlots and creeks often call them in. Shots are generally inside 50 yards.
My 17mach2 is about perfect for foxes inside 50yards.
My last pair of foxes were shot wit a 50cal muzzleloader. Both were right sick with mange and were eating the landowners cats
 
brybenn said:
Most the foxes i shoot are with shotguns but ive taken many with 22mag. I hunt smaller woodlots and creeks often call them in. Shots are generally inside 50 yards.
My 17mach2 is about perfect for foxes inside 50yards.
My last pair of foxes were shot wit a 50cal muzzleloader. Both were right sick with mange and were eating the landowners cats
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I'm curious as to shot size and choke you're using.
 
bb07 said:
I'm curious as to shot size and choke you're using.
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Ive shot many with #7.5 shot while hunting bunnies over hounds. #6 will easily take a fox to 40 yards with a full or mod choke. While hunting foxes intentionally #2 will reach out quite far in tighter chokes but #4 is what i mainly use unless coyotes are around. When hunting coyotes with shotguns i use #4 buck or bb. Works great but bb will wreck a fox inside 30yards
 
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