fox rifle

[hatchetjack]

I was wondering if a .22 mag or .17 hmr has enough energy to kill fox at 150 - 175 yards? If so which loads are best for saving pelts?

[Flash]

Whew, the 17 is too explosive for pelts in my opinion unless you can make a head shot. The 22 mag stands a better chance with a solid bullet.

[quickdtoo]

Problem with the 22mag is they just aren't normally near as accurate as a 17hmr. With the 20gr 17hmr XTP and Gamepoint rounds, you get great  downrange accuracy and more energy in a bullet that is fur friendly. At 150-175 yds, the 22mag and Hmr energy are not that different and the 17hmr is definitely flatter shooting and less affected by wind drift.

[DennisB]

Much as I love the 22Mag, don't discount the .17 HMR.  Just like deer calibers and bear guns, the bullet you choose drives the results you get.  For example, last year I shot a bobcat with one of the XTPs at about 50 yards.  He ran about 20 feet and folded.  I thought I was gonna have a nasty exit hole on the off side, but was suprised at just how really explosive those XTPs are--did not have an exit hole.  Lately I've been using the CCI Game Point load that came out a while back.  In my Win 9417 they are dead on at 50 yards and still a fraction high at 100.  About a month ago I had the 17 with me in my deer stand when a fox came along just at 100 yards out.  I hit him on the front shoulder and down he went.  That GamePoint slug went out the off side just ahead of the hind leg leaving about a half-inch hole.  So, I guess some more field testing is in order...

[Lawdog]

hatchetjack,

I was wondering if a .22 mag or .17 hmr has enough energy to kill fox at 150 - 175 yards? If so which loads are best for saving pelts?

Forget the .17 HMR on critters as large as a Fox.  It was never designed for animals much over 10 pounds.  Bullets are way too fragile even using the newer 20 gr. loads.  I betting you’ll loose more than you’ll kill especially at ranges of 175 yards.  If these are your only two choices then go with the .22 WMR and solid bullets.  Lawdog
 

[Howler]

I agree with LawDog! The 22 Mag is the better choise of the 2. I have taken a few fox with the 22mag, the win supreme load does a really good job on fox out to 75yrds or maybe a little farther.
If you need 175yrd rifle & are worried about pelt damage you might want to think about the 22 hornet,or better yet the K hornet. This rnd has alot to offer for your intended target & would also dubb nicely as a coyote Rig.

[Jerry Lester]

I'm pretty much a veteran fox caller. If you're planning on calling foxes there's really no reason you can't expect nearly all your shots to be inside 75 yards with the most of them being inside 50 yards.

I think the 22 magnum loaded with the faster light weight bullets are as near to perfect as you can get for calling foxes. My personal preference is the CCI TNT 30g HPs. This load will hardly ever exit on a fox at nearly any angle. It'll also drop a fox like a bad habit easily at 75-100 yards with a decent chest shot. I can assure you that if you choose a 22 magnum for foxes, you won't be sorry.

I myself use a Ruger 77 Hornet for my main calling rifle. That's because around here anymore, you're as apt to call in a coyote as a fox, so the Hornet is about my only option for killing foxes, bobcats, and coyotes with consistant results, using the same rifle. With the Hornet though, you have to use a heavier bullet, at a little less than full power to keep from blowing up a good fox hide. I still have to watch my angles though or I'll tear one up pretty bad anyway.

[varmit_master]

Hi i would too vote for the 22 mag over the 17 i like the 22 mag hunting fox it does a good job on them but if i wanted a 175yrd gun i would look at a 222 or a 223 rifle look at the 223 becaus the ammo is so cheap VM

[Al in Md]

Personally Ive had quite a few good experiences with the 22 mag on foxes using the 33-34 grain hollow points and ballistic tips but have also had a fair share take off running after a solid chest shot.Some went down a shot or two later some kept going without me recovering them as I missed the running follow up shot.Either way I lost enough after solid hits to finally give up on the 22 mag and get a 223.They drop like a stone every time and as far as wanting a rifle out to 175 yds the 22 mag or the 17 shouldnt be considered.I would get a 22 hornet or 223.

[Nunk]

No doubt the 22mag will work, however, all of you putting the 17HMR down, have you ever actually USED the round?  It'll work just fine out to 100 yards.  In the 150-175 yd range, best to use a centerfire over EITHER of these rounds.