Author Topic: 223 for fox  (Read 1656 times)

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Offline APEX PREDATOR

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223 for fox
« on: February 01, 2010, 12:45:51 PM »
wat would be the best ammo for fox with 223
will a fmj in the head kill one?
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Offline Wyo. Coyote Hunter

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2010, 03:51:18 PM »
for sure if you hit the brain...fox from the little I know about shooting them are fragile critters, easily torn up with a high speed rifle...Norman Johnson who does some writing for VARMIT HUNTER has shot hundreds of fox with a rifle...something over 300 fox and coyotes with a 7mm mag alone...he shoots them with all kinds of calibers...He would be an excellent source for this...I have heard the .222 with a 50 grain was about perfect so your 223 is about perfect also....

Offline dks7895

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2010, 07:05:35 AM »
Foxes are pretty easy to kill.  I shot a bobcat with my .223 using a 55gr FMJ and he dropped in his tracks.  I hit him in the neck and there was very little pelt damage.  Coyotes are a bit tougher and I prefer rapid expansion bullets for them, i.e. VMAX or JHP.       
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Offline Catfish

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2010, 09:25:24 AM »
I will not shoot FMJ bullets in the field. Here in Ohio things are just to close and the FMJ bullets rickochet far to far. I would recomand some of the 35 gr. lite varmint bullets. I would think that at .223 velocities they would all stay in and the knock power would put them down and keep them there.

Offline dks7895

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2010, 10:42:11 AM »
Catfish makes a valid point.  In my case, the shot was text book perfect and chance of ricochet was no concern.  With that said, I would stick with a VMAX or JHP in whatever weight your gun prefers.  My .223 is a 1:9 twist and likes 50-55gr bullets.  I have not tried any of the lighter bullets, but there are tons of options.
Winchester 100 .243; Marlin XS7 .308; Stevens 200 .223; Rossi 92 .45LC; Marlin 1894C .357M; Marlin 30AS .30-30; NEF Pardner Pump 12ga; Mossberg 500 Turkey 20ga; Winchester 1200 20ga; Savage Mark II F .22LR; Henry H001 .22LR; Marlin 60SB .22LR; Ruger 10/22 DSP .22LR; Remington Genesis .50 cal ML; Ruger Vaquero .45LC; Ruger Blackhawk .357M; Ruger SR9c 9mm; Ruger Single-Six .22LR; Browning Buck Mark Camper .22LR; Crosman Powermaster 760 .177; Crosman Storm XT .177; Mission X3

Offline APEX PREDATOR

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2010, 10:52:30 AM »
has anyone tried the factory varmit grenade on fox? dont kow wat bullet to use
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Offline dks7895

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2010, 11:05:40 AM »
I have not shot a fox with one....but they blow the snot out of oranges.  They are thin jacketed and expand rapidly.  Similar to a VMAX.  It will kill a fox without a doubt.  But it might be messy.
Winchester 100 .243; Marlin XS7 .308; Stevens 200 .223; Rossi 92 .45LC; Marlin 1894C .357M; Marlin 30AS .30-30; NEF Pardner Pump 12ga; Mossberg 500 Turkey 20ga; Winchester 1200 20ga; Savage Mark II F .22LR; Henry H001 .22LR; Marlin 60SB .22LR; Ruger 10/22 DSP .22LR; Remington Genesis .50 cal ML; Ruger Vaquero .45LC; Ruger Blackhawk .357M; Ruger SR9c 9mm; Ruger Single-Six .22LR; Browning Buck Mark Camper .22LR; Crosman Powermaster 760 .177; Crosman Storm XT .177; Mission X3

Offline APEX PREDATOR

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2010, 11:26:10 AM »
ok just want a bullet that doesnt blow up a fox lol if that is possibly with a 223
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2010, 11:41:41 AM »
I don't think you will find any .223 bullet that will not blow up a Fox.  Problem is 40 or 50gr bullet just carries too much energy to be stopped by anything as small as a Fox no matter how much it expands.  Hoping for a pass through with a FMJ could be the best bet, but in most places a FMJ is not legal to hunt with and probably not ethical either.  I am sure you will find someone who's "friend of his cousins uncle" or someone like that will tell you he uses them all the time and has never damaged a pelt.  You may have a chance for no exit if you go with about a 20gr HP 17 in a Fireball or even a 17 HMR.  Larry
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Offline dks7895

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2010, 11:43:27 AM »
I would go with a good ol' fashioned soft point in .223 Rem.  If he is within range a .22LR is plenty on a fox and will not blow him up either.  .17HMR or .22WMR would be a good choice as well.
Winchester 100 .243; Marlin XS7 .308; Stevens 200 .223; Rossi 92 .45LC; Marlin 1894C .357M; Marlin 30AS .30-30; NEF Pardner Pump 12ga; Mossberg 500 Turkey 20ga; Winchester 1200 20ga; Savage Mark II F .22LR; Henry H001 .22LR; Marlin 60SB .22LR; Ruger 10/22 DSP .22LR; Remington Genesis .50 cal ML; Ruger Vaquero .45LC; Ruger Blackhawk .357M; Ruger SR9c 9mm; Ruger Single-Six .22LR; Browning Buck Mark Camper .22LR; Crosman Powermaster 760 .177; Crosman Storm XT .177; Mission X3

Offline billy_56081

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2010, 11:56:01 AM »
The 223 is a very fine fox caliber. I have avoided using FMJs for saftey reasons. If you do use a FMJ use a flat base as boat tails do seem to tear up hides worse. I have used a 36 grain varmint grenade on a coyote at 10 yards and it did not exit a broadside chest shot. Any bullet that hits on the edge of a fox will tear it up but centered hits will generally be repairable. A 17 rem is fine for fox on calm days but wind plays hell on those little bullets.
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Offline APEX PREDATOR

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2010, 03:21:00 PM »
i have a 22mag,22hornet 17 hmr and many other rounds just wanted to try the 223 on fox
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Offline bigvarmnt

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2010, 04:23:22 PM »
Depending on the range, I would use the Hornet, if closer 22 mag or 17hmr should work great. If you want to use the 223, load 36 gr Varmint Grenades with the youth loads either on IMR of Hodgdons website. They also make a 30 gr V.G. for Hornet but can be used in 223. I'm gonna try them slowed down. Better hurry up and decide, our season ends soon. Good Luck!

Offline SD Handgunner

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Re: 223 for fox
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2010, 06:21:01 PM »
I shot a Red Fox this fall with a 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip at 2947 FPS Muzzle Velocity out of a 16" 1 in 9" Twist Bushmaster at 220 yards. It was a quartering towards me shot, hitting behind the near side shoulder. The bullet exited on the off side in front of the rear leg leaving an exit hole about the size of my thumb. I was fortunate in that I didn't hit any bone. Not sure what the outcome would have been if i had hit bone.

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