Foxing rifle spec

[6.5shooter]

Hello hello,

I have been mulling around in my head what would be classed as the ideal foxing rifle package.

This is not youre usual whats the best foxing calibre but more geared towards a custom build spec for the rifle itself including the overall finished weight.

I have been thinking about this as I find merits and disadvantages with my rifles regarding this scenario as one rifle is light and handy while the other is heavy and stable etc etc there are many swings and roundabouts.

First of what action would you use as the starting point, im not talking about whizzed up tikkas etc im more interested in precision manufactured actions like RG or surgeon or rpa etc?

What trigger?

What stock? Thumbhole non thumbhole? I quite like the mcmillan m4 meself.

Barrel length, profile.

What moderator?

What scope? Is there really a need for turrets on a foxing setup if the correct reticle is used?

Bipod? Is this item really needed?

Does calibre choice reflect on youre rifle spec?

The list goes on, I would just be interested to hear peoples

views and setups. And maybe see a few pics aswell.

 

Regards

 

Garry

[1967spud]

This list is my opinion only:

Sako 75 action, best magazine system any where for a second shot.

Stock triggr.

24" barrel in a heavy varmint configuration, which will help dampen recoil.

Stock entirely up to you, but make sure its chunky so you can keep hold off it inthe cold.

Jetz mod

22 Nightforce with np2dd treticle.

Harris bipod.

As for calibre, up to you again depending on your ground and your allocations but here are a few in no particular order .243 .243AI .223 .222 22.250 .220swift .22br 6mmbr etc etc etc have a look at the 22.243 middlestead its a very capable calibre.

 

 

[provarmint]

Hello hello,

I have been mulling around in my head what would be classed as the ideal foxing rifle package.

This is not youre usual whats the best foxing calibre but more geared towards a custom build spec for the rifle itself including the overall finished weight.

I have been thinking about this as I find merits and disadvantages with my rifles regarding this scenario as one rifle is light and handy while the other is heavy and stable etc etc there are many swings and roundabouts.

First of what action would you use as the starting point, im not talking about whizzed up tikkas etc im more interested in precision manufactured actions like RG or surgeon or rpa etc?

What trigger?

What stock? Thumbhole non thumbhole? I quite like the mcmillan m4 meself.

Barrel length, profile.

What moderator?

What scope? Is there really a need for turrets on a foxing setup if the correct reticle is used?

Bipod? Is this item really needed?

Does calibre choice reflect on youre rifle spec?

The list goes on, I would just be interested to hear peoples

views and setups. And maybe see a few pics aswell.

 

Regards

 

Garry

 

I would love to be able to buy one of these, http://www.specialistrifleservices.co.uk/custom_01.html , still doing the lottery....

[6.5shooter]

I would love to be able to buy one of these, http://www.specialistrifleservices.co.uk/custom_01.html , still doing the lottery....

 

 

That would be nice, fully moderated! Although the stock looks too nice to use! I would set it up on the mantlepiece before id take it foxing for fear of denting or scratching that wood!

[6.5shooter]

This list is my opinion only:

Sako 75 action, best magazine system any where for a second shot.

Stock triggr.

24" barrel in a heavy varmint configuration, which will help dampen recoil.

Stock entirely up to you, but make sure its chunky so you

can keep hold off it inthe cold.

Jetz mod

22 Nightforce with np2dd treticle.

Harris bipod.

As for calibre, up to you again depending on your ground and your allocations but here are a few in no particular

order .243 .243AI .223 .222 22.250 .220swift .22br 6mmbr etc etc etc have a look at the 22.243 middlestead its a very capable calibre.

 

 

 

 

 

I like youre rifle spec spud but im not sure if id stick a nightforce ontop. A nice swarovski and youre rifle would be the dogs gonads!

Although i take it youre rifle doubles as a varminter.

A middlestead would be an awsome calibre! Greg thompson shoots one for varminting and he loves it.

[1967spud]

I like youre rifle spec spud but im not sure if id stick a nightforce ontop. A nice swarovski and youre rifle would be the dogs gonads!

Although i take it youre rifle doubles as a varminter.

A middlestead would be an awsome calibre! Greg thompson shoots one for varminting and he loves it.

 

the thing about a nightforce is i love the reticle plus its illumintaed

[6.5shooter]

the thing about a nightforce is i love the reticle plus its illumintaed

 

 

I know what u mean, i have an np2dd on my 6mmx47 for varmints but i fing myself paying too much time to the paralax knob at night to get it just right before I take the shot.

Maybe its just me?

[gunnery]

first of all if this is a foxing rifle then we are talking 200-300yrds under lamp so i would think 20tac 204 etc cheap to load flat fast shooting action nothing wrong with remy s/steel action jewel trigger barrel pacnor vermit profile 22" if it was 20tac 26"if it was 204 h/s precision stock one of the best stocks there is for foxing bi-pod a must for shooting of top of truck mod a must proberly a ultra compact s/steel scope list is endless but again for a foxing set up think about the range you do not need a expensive scope there is a good choice i am using a nikko sterling 6-24-50 illuminated £260 and it is brilliant for that job i find when foxing large cals to shoot 200-300yrds over kill to much recoil with 20tac 204 you can watch the fox go down through the scope there is no recoil at all or very little to talk about

[skany]

I know what u mean, i have an np2dd on my 6mmx47 for varmints but i fing myself paying too much time to the paralax knob at night to get it just right before I take the shot.

Maybe its just me?

 

Nope

 

That's the main reason I changed mine along with having to turn ir on and off all the time!

 

 

Great ret tho

 

I'd say a cal that let's u spot ur shots is next on the list even more critical if u don't use a mod!

 

Cheers Andy

[palo]

Hi Garry

Having used most of the popular calibres my favourite is the 204.

Flat shooting, no recoil, and I see every fox drop through the scope.

20 tac would give similar performance so that would be good also.

As for actions I like the look of the valkyrie or the stiller predator and tac actions.

Barrel would be 1/10 or 1/11 twist light varmint profile aout 24in long.

I use a boyds laminated varmint thumbhole stock and really like it.

My trigger is a riflebasix varmint model set at 1.25lbs which is very good.

I use a zeiss 6-24x56 scope and it is great under the lamp.

My scope has target turrets but I rarely use them at night.

I just leave my scope set 1 inch high at 100 yards and that works fine.

Oh and im getting a dm80 mod in 20 cal soon.

Hello hello,

I have been mulling around in my head what would be classed as the ideal foxing rifle package.

This is not youre usual whats the best foxing calibre but more geared towards a custom build spec for the rifle itself including the overall finished weight.

I have been thinking about this as I find merits and disadvantages with my rifles regarding this scenario as one rifle is light and handy while the other is heavy and stable etc etc there are many swings and roundabouts.

First of what action would you use as the starting point, im not talking about whizzed up tikkas etc im more interested in precision manufactured actions like RG or surgeon or rpa etc?

What trigger?

What stock? Thumbhole non thumbhole? I quite like the mcmillan m4 meself.

Barrel length, profile.

What moderator?

What scope? Is there really a need for turrets on a foxing setup if the correct reticle is used?

Bipod? Is this item really needed?

Does calibre choice reflect on youre rifle spec?

The list goes on, I would just be interested to hear peoples

views and setups. And maybe see a few pics aswell.

 

Regards

 

Garry

[22/250 foxer]

rpa for me. in 22/250 1 in 12 twist 24 inch barrel. spitting the 50 grain nostlers out at 3840 on the chrono and very very accurate.

 

rpa trigger is nice to use i prefer it to the jewel trigger i had in my old rifle.

interceptor stock though looks a little weird is very nice to use.

ase cqb mod on it. im not keen on over barrel mods. they just look to big and bulky.

and the performance of the ase mod is very very good.

 

got a nice zeiss victory on top. ir mildot ret if you need it. glass is superb under the lamp.

 

rifle does need a make over though. i dont mind all the marks on the stock its the horrid colour i hate.

also the mag system needs coating as its all marked and looks scruffy.

 

did think about getting stock carbon dipped or duracoat in olive green. i could do the stock myself but the stupid mag system must be glued into it or something. cant get off and being heavy handed dont want to break something

 

ideal i want the stock done in one of the above and the action and mag system Teflon or duracoated. it would look nice then to as well as shoot great.

 

 

ONE OF MY SHOOTING MATES STILL SAYS TO ME ARE YOU BRINGING THE ''UGLY'' RIFLE WITH YOU TONIGHT when we go shooting :lol: BUT THE FOXES KEEP DROPPING me and the other half just had a nice £7000 cheque

so was thinking about selling some kit and putting some dosh to it. and having a rifle built. using stolle action etc. :D

 

[Offroad Gary]

i've been toying with the idea for a while, but i cant spec anything better than i already use....

 

r93 pro, .243, t4 mod, swaro 6-24x50 pvi2 tds 4i - 70gn ballistic tips at 3350 fps. zero at 200, sub 1" at 300 with only 6.5" drop. safe to carry round chambered so no loading and unloading when getting in and out of vehicles and weighs 9lb inc scope, mod and harris br bipod. 42.5" long so manageable in the truck. and the archer works very well on the back of the swaro - shoot fox sized targets at 300y in the right conditions, can wind scope up to 24x and still see targets.

 

had a tooley 22-250 once (a3 stock, blueprinted remmy, jewel trigger, hart 26" barrel) killed a lot of foxes with it, got tempted to use it on deer so it had to go. nightforce scopes have caused me more missed foxes than anything else, good scopes, far to fussy for lamping imho.

[garyw]

its all personel when getting a custom job built up all i will say is do some forward planning go with your own instincts and keep an eye on the £££.when its built you cant backtrack as for calibre well- i have - 14. cal.17 cal-.22br-6ppc -6-284 all will make charlie dead its what else you want to use it for that you should base your choice on.

[6.5shooter]

I currently use a newly barreled rpa thumbhole with a 26" border on it.

Thinking of changing the stock to an m4 or a3 type stock as Im not a fan of thumbholes, just cant get the consistency with them, although im not trying to shoot tiny groups while foxing, the correct stock fit of youre preference does alot for youre condidence in hurried situations.

As for scope, well im still mulling it over after quite sometime, been working with a nightforce but im just not 100% comfortable lamping with it and im not sure if I want to put a few grand into a zeiss or swaro.

As you quite rightly say Garyw, any cal makes em dead and this is exactly why I didnt want a calibre war of which cal is best as we all know that debate has been fought to death with no winners. Each cal has its merits and disadvantages. I however just like to be on the slightly safe side and shoot a swift just a personal love affair that I have for the cartridge

I get bored of the 223 that I have and the swift just seems to make my grin a bit bigger when I hear a more solid thump. So horses for corses.

This is aimed at custom rifle choice along with scope choice, just like some are into custom stalking rifles I am interested in a sole custom foxing rifle.

[TonyH]

My impression is that some people are over-spec'ing their fox rifles. I calculate that on the one hand, because a fox is not a small varmint like a rabbit or prairie dog, shooting Charlie doesn't require the same level of high precision, fine-tuning every bit of kit to the nth degree – especially since typical foxing distances are not enormous. (Before anyone replies about the fox he shot half a mile off, sure – but that's untypical. I'd bet the very great majority of foxes are shot at under 200 yards. My furthest was 300 and the closest was 20 yards...). And on the other hand, a fox is in some ways a dainty beast, lighter boned than the average dog, and doesn't need heavy artillery to bring it down. Big boomers are fun but they're overkill on foxes.

 

Any half-decent light sporter in a small-cased .20 or .22 centrefire round is ideal IMO – and I wouldn't dream of sticking a gurt heavy variable-power varminting scope on top of it either. Something in a fixed-mag 6, 7 or 8x with good sized front glass is lighter, neater and more practical.

 

Stick a mod on it if you like, can't advise, don't use them myself.

 

Win, Rem, Sako/Tikka, take your pick; I'd choose a short-barelled lightweight such as Win Featherweight, Rem Model 7 or Mountain Rifle, for ease of handling especially at night in winter, and the only custom feature would be an aftermarket trigger.

 

There are some very fancy specs being discussed above, but personally I'd restrict the fanciness to a varmint – that's small varmint – rifle, for precision zapping at extended range. Pursuing Charlie doesn't need fancy kit for the most part. Of course, if someone has the spare cash, fine, just seems a bit OTT for the application.

 

Ah, nearly forgot loads. I've shot lots of foxes with a 22-250 and 55gr polymer tips, but when I switched to a .223 with 40gr ditto I didn't notice any difference at all in the way foxes went down with a bullet in the breadbasket.

Tony

[Tuck]

What a can of worms I see your point but to me foxing is a passion I love. So if I see fit to spend x amount of ££££s on a foxing outfit that surely that's my choice and everyone elses choice to. I understand if you don't want to spend lots of money on a rig this is your choice and fine. but this is my outfit I have a rpa action in 243AI s/s 1-8 twist border fluted in a roberts stock custom paint job bead blasted barrel reblacked action jet-z mod and I love it. Pet load 40g varget nearly kissing the lands 65g v-max brilliant varmint round. Will try and post some pics. Someone telling you what rifle you should have is a bit like someone telling you what car you should have, I personally drive a fifteen year old landy because I seem to spend all my money on rifles oh well my choice

[223magic]

This list is my opinion only:

Sako 75 action, best magazine system any where for a second shot.

Stock triggr.

24" barrel in a heavy varmint configuration, which will help dampen recoil.

Stock entirely up to you, but make sure its chunky so you can keep hold off it inthe cold.

Jetz mod

22 Nightforce with np2dd treticle.

Harris bipod.

As for calibre, up to you again depending on your ground and your allocations but here are a few in no particular order .243 .243AI .223 .222 22.250 .220swift .22br 6mmbr etc etc etc have a look at the 22.243 middlestead its a very capable calibre.

 

 

Spud wwhy the NP2DD reticle on the Nightforce, just interested to know. ??

[1967spud]

They are uncluttered and yet you stil have a simple hold over point and easy to aquire a target in the dark

[Roebuck]

And 6XC ( 6mm22-250 ) ?

Norma make brass and it's easy to make from 22-250.

6XC and 6-6,5/47 Lapua seem very similar ?

[matchking]

Rifles are a very personal thing.What floats one mans boat might not apeal to someone else.I personally like heavy barrels and vari power scopes,My foxing rifles double as long range vermin rifles so need to have certain amount weight about them.The furthest i carry them is from the back seat of truck to the back to shoot off the roof. Scopes are a minimum of 24 power a crow or a bunny at 350 yards plus is a small target,Just because you have 24 power it doesn't mean you have to use it.But it havn't got it you can't use it.I normally lamp on 12 power this means i don't have to mess about with parallax.I also like single shot actions i have never felt under gunned with only one round up the spout.As for actions well there are loads to choose from.What i would say if you are going to spend a small fortune on a custom build you might as well buy the action you really want.Better to spend an extra few hundred quid and have what you really want,Than take something out of the cabinet and wish had spent the extra money.Been there done that Calibres well you can argue all day if it was an out and out lamping rifle a little .223 would take some beating.If it was doubling as a long varmint rifle i would opt for a larger .22cf.Everybody knows the swift is still king of hill after all these years .Theres a pic of my swift on here somewhere i will try and add it later.

Cheers sean

[happyhunter]

Just a pure foxing rifle so most shot will be inside 200yards, I would go for any factory sporter rifle in .223 or .22/250, jetz mod, but the scope is where my money would be spent nf s&b or even a nv setup and do some serious load development! For the long range stuff say out to 650 yards I would keep it exactly the same as it tests me and equipment to the limit which is great fun which it's all about! If I had a spot to take foxes and rabbits in daylight out to 1000yards I would get closer

[Alycidon]

An ideal foxing package.

 

I agree with TonyH, anything from 17 Hornet through to a 6mm will do the job well. Light weight and short barrel is a must in my book if I have to carry it, again on a carry rifle a small high quality scope, my favorite is a Ziess 3x9x36 Dia vari C with duplex. The stock needs to FIT, this is often neglected by rifle users, you want that reticule being perfectly centered as soon as the rifle hits the shoulder. I have small hands, the thumbhole on my long range fox rifle has been cut to suit my hands. Moderator, well I was a dedicated moddy user until the builder of one of my rifles refused to fit one as he believes the they do not do accuracy any good. Arguable I know but when his rifle shoots .2s and .3s after 600 + rounds would you change it ?.

 

So think about how far you wish to reach, how far you will need to carry it, so how heavy ( believe me a 14lb rifle will be a pain after 200 yards !!) and what budget. This will steer you in the right direction, just dont skimp on optics. A fox chest at 150 yards is a big target, a hit anywhere in the centre or upper chest will drop him on the spot, lower chest he may go 100-200 yards before piling up. You do NOT need any better accuracy than MOA for foxes the vast majority of which should be taken at 70-150 yards.

 

A