Fox Shooting in Wales

[Blacknsilver]

Can anyone clear this up? Is there a certain cal that must be used? Is there any over kill calibre?
Cheers

[mullen7]

I believe the HO advises .243 and above? But not 100% sure on this as I don't shoot vermin etc. I do know that a lot of my friends who do shoot fox regularly shoot .223 and have no problems.

[DL.]

You can use a 6.5 in windy conditions.

[ovenpaa]

It is Wales so part of the UK other than Scotland so it is down to whatever your licensing/FEO feels is acceptable. The venerable 22-250 takes a lot of beating however I know people who will go for Fox with a .22 Rimfire and even a .17HMR when they are happy with the shot.

My choice would be the 22-250, super flat to 280 yards, accurate and a lot of energy, it always gets the job done :)

[Ginger]

not my bag, but I believe .357 is an authorised round for foxing too, but the HMO Guide to Firearms Licensing (http://tinyurl.com/h75wb2r) states the following:

Fox
13.25 Although not set out in legislation, common rifle cartridges considered suitable for the shooting of foxes range from .17 Remington, and .22 Hornet to .22 -250 and .220 Swift, though there is a wide range of suitable similar calibres commercially available.

In windy areas, where heavier bullets aid accurate shooting, or if applicants wish to use one rifle for shooting both deer and foxes, they may choose a rifle in 6mm (.243/.244) or 6.5mm (.264) calibre. .22 Rimfires are generally considered as having insufficient muzzle energy to be used against foxes in most circumstances. However, these could be suitable for use at short range by experienced persons, and may be permitted in certain situations such as around farm buildings or paddocks. It is for the operator to ensure that the quarry species are shot at the appropriate range with the appropriate ammunition to achieve a humane kill.

Combination shotgun/rifles should have the rifled barrel in a similar calibre. Expanding ammunition should be authorised for shooting foxes.

But recommended reading would be page 121 for you as it gives a good breakdown of calibres to quarry.

[Blacknsilver]

To be on the safe side a call needs to be made to clear it up.

[dromia]

Seems to me that unlike game, vermin have no calibre limitations other than the moral duty to use a calibre of sufficient potency to ensure a humane dispatch.

My fox calibre of choice is the .222" Remington, for the odd occasion when I've needed something for the longer ranges then the .244" Remington would be my choice or the .22" Savage Hi Power.

But then I like faffing about with different calibres, if you want a superb all round cartridge that will do for fox to red deer and all quarry in-between then you will be hard pushed to beat the .270" Winchester.

[ovenpaa]

My preference for larger vermin is a 6,5x47 and a .22LR for the smaller stuff, they make a handy combination.

[Chapuis]

Can anyone clear this up? Is there a certain cal that must be used? Is there any over kill calibre?
Cheers

No minimum caliber other than by conditions on your FAC and ethical responsibility to use a caliber and bullet suitable to the task.
There is not even a legal requirement (at present) to use expanding ammunition.

No such thing as over kill, dead is dead. Though there is a need to suit the type of bullet to the task in hand if a rapid single shot humane kill is to be achieved.

Personal opinion is that while a .22lr or .17hmr can kill a fox at short range neither should be the weapon of choice. A .17" or .22" centrefire should be the minimum using an appropriately designed expanding bullet.