Show Me Your Favourite Fox Rifles

[TBJ]

Now I've bought my new deer rifle, I'm regretting getting rid of my old .222 fox rifle, I'm Looking for a new fox rifle and other small game, I'm looking at the CZ 527 in either .223 or .204, The reason I'm thinking about the 527 is the mini-mauser action since my new deer rifle is a mauser style Winchester Model 70 featherweight. Is there any other rifles I should be looking at as well as opinions on the calibers? also scope power I was thinking a higher power than my deer rifle of which is a 2-10 so I was thinking like a 14x to 18x? also opinions on sporter or varmint barrels?
thanks

[TBJ]

Howa mini action .222, don't over do the scope.
Just my 2 cents!

I was looking at the Howa as I've heard good things what scope do you have on yours? also why the .222 over the .223 with more ammo available for the .223?

[duncan61]

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My .222 ruger.Many good years service

[Osty]

CZ and Winchester aren't the only m98 type actioned rifles getting around. Maybe check out the Ruger M77?

CZ 527 in 204 would be what I'd go with though. Varmint barrel with 4-14x50 optics if spotlighting from a ute as well.

[bigfellascott]

Howa M1500 in 204 HB with a 3-9x50 Nikon Prostaff - flat shooting and great on foxes out to 350m+

[Oldbloke]

Depends on the budget. IMO Any "name" rifle with reloads will be OK for foxes out to 250 yards.
I have a 3-9x40 on both 223 and 30-06.

I have a Marlin X7, but they stopped production soon after Remington bought them out.

PS. Howas are very popular but some have feed issues. Check it before you leave the shop if you get one.

[Gwion]

My vote goes to the Howa mini in 204.

Really,what is the need for a Mauser on this rifle?

[Cooper]

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My vote would be Howa mini action in 204. I have two Minis now. The 223 is in the Boyds thumbhole stock and the 204 stainless in in the MDT LSS chassis. The MDT chassis pretty much fixes the magazine release issue (you can pretty much just bump the release button and mag falls out). I do like CZs but the 223 mini with scope and stock would still just come under the price of the CZ. Not just cheap. They actually shoot extremely well!

[southwest shooter]

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Howa mini action in 223 .

[Mr.Seacucumber]

Just got a Howa mini action in 7.62x39 as an all round guns, I love the round due to its versatility and the misses likes it for the low recoil so hopefully it's a win for everyone!

[Prettybird]

Anything with a dead fox laying 100m in front of it is the favourite of the moment

[rsj223]

Howa Mini Stainless Lite .223

[pete1]

Yeh got a old Howa 1500 in .223 with a bushnell 3-9x40, good 6-12 inch bi-pod, but think its almost time for a upgrade.
Maybe in 22-250 but most likely .223, its been good to me.

Ill say Howa's are simple, reasonably priced with lots of aftermarket parts, but like anything the more you spend the better you get.

[Peeds13]

Howa 20 inch fluted varmint short action, love it

[bigfellascott]

CMC Mountaineer HB in 222 - this one has taken it's fair share of foxes and bunnies etc over the years and still shoots very well (it's around 35yrs old now maybe even older.

[happyhunter]

Any good 222, 223 or 204.

[Oldbloke]

"I'm Looking for a new fox rifle and other small game, I'm looking at the CZ 527 in either .223 or 204"

I would go for 223. Why, a little less specialised than the 204.
If you need to heavier projectiles are available for larger game.

[bigfellascott]

"I'm Looking for a new fox rifle and other small game, I'm looking at the CZ 527 in either .223 or 204"

I would go for 223. Why, a little less specialised than the 204.
If you need to heavier projectiles are available for larger game.

Don't under estimate the 204, it's good enough to roll deer in the right hands. but for foxes It's definitely the better performer from my experience in using both (it's like they get hit by lightning, they just drop as a rule without so much as a twitch).

Another cal that might be worth considering and has good flexibility is the 243, it can run light pills and heavy and can reach right out to nail those foxes that like to sit way out yonder.

[Yipikaye]

Is a 308 too much for foxes? I'm wondering if I need something between my .22 and 308. It's not going to be a frequent thing so ammo price shount be an issue.

[bigfellascott]

Is a 308 too much for foxes? I'm wondering if I need something between my .22 and 308. It's not going to be a frequent thing so ammo price shount be an issue.

Just a Tad but usable all the same but not a cal I would choose for the specific purpose but if it's all I had in hand at the time it wouldn't stop me from shooting one.

[southwest shooter]

Is a 308 too much for foxes? I'm wondering if I need something between my .22 and 308. It's not going to be a frequent thing so ammo price shount be an issue.

Good choice .

[Yipikaye]

Good to know. I'll stick with the 308 and continue saving my money for a Beretta 12GA. I'm sure it will work well on foxes too.

[Oldbloke]

Is a 308 too much for foxes? I'm wondering if I need something between my .22 and 308. It's not going to be a frequent thing so ammo price shount be an issue.

Just a Tad but usable all the same but not a cal I would choose for the specific purpose but if it's all I had in hand at the time it wouldn't stop me from shooting one.

+1

[TBJ]

thanks everyone, seems I might go the .223 from what you guys are saying, and the Howas seem really popular so might need to look into that as I wasnt really thinking of them.

[Gwion]

Howas are popular because the are very affordable and generally shoot like stink!

[southwest shooter]

thanks everyone, seems I might go the .223 from what you guys are saying, and the Howas seem really popular so might need to look into that as I wasnt really thinking of them.

If you buy a howa in 223 buy some osa ammo they seem to love the stuff !

[TBJ]

thanks everyone, seems I might go the .223 from what you guys are saying, and the Howas seem really popular so might need to look into that as I wasnt really thinking of them.

If you buy a howa in 223 buy some osa ammo they seem to love the stuff !

Yeah I've heard, I have some for the .308 but I plan to re-load the .308 anyway and really just want the brass

[Gwion]

the OSA brass is quite good, IMO. Better than the Rem and Fed stuff i had used for 223 before, at least!

[Conallin24]

I personally love my side by side 20Ga (yes not a rifle) the great thing about shotguns for me is that I can hunt almost all game with it I just have to load shells to suit that game. I did have photos on my old phone but it got wrecked not long ago. For me as a junior (and really more a target shooter) I have only got 3 foxes. 2 with my 20Ga at 25 and 40m and one with a 25-06 from 250m.

[bigfellascott]

I personally love my side by side 20Ga (yes not a rifle) the great thing about shotguns for me is that I can hunt almost all game with it I just have to load shells to suit that game. I did have photos on my old phone but it got wrecked not long ago. For me as a junior (and really more a target shooter) I have only got 3 foxes. 2 with my 20Ga at 25 and 40m and one with a 25-06 from 250m.

I like to carry a shotgun and rifle when I'm whistling from stands, comes in handy having one in those situations for the ones who sneak up real close before you know they are there, but if you are limiting yourself to a shotgun you are really limiting your hunting abilities big time, especially when it comes to foxes as at certain times of the year they tend to be a bit standoffish and completely refuse to come any closer (I've had them stop 200-300m or more at times and refuse to come any closer) in those situations it's not a problem when you have a cal like the 204, 22.250, 243 etc, they still reach out there and smack em good.