Air rifles and Foxes

Rimfire bolt action rifles, lever action, pump action and self loading rifles. Air rifles.

Air rifles and Foxes

Post by 83neil » 28 Sep 2015, 5:48 pm

Hi all, what air rifles are suitable for shooting foxes?
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by on_one_wheel » 28 Sep 2015, 10:02 pm

.22 rimfire is as small as I go with foxes. I have a high quality .22 air rifle that is as powerful as springers get but I wouldn't consider it sufficient for hunting anything larger than a rabbit. Air rifle pellets simply don't retain enough energy to humanely kill foxes with any consistently.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by sandgroperbill » 28 Sep 2015, 11:47 pm

If you are looking for something specifically for foxes, look at something propelled by gun powder, not air. Shotgun or rimfire depending on range.

Under the right conditions with the right shot, yes, an air rifle can kill a fox, but its not a reliable option.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Title_II » 29 Sep 2015, 1:42 am

Under what circumstances are you guys shooting fox with .22 RF? I think that is a little underpowered. Are you taking headshots?
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by sandgroperbill » 29 Sep 2015, 11:47 am

.22 is perfectly capable vs foxes. just not from silly ranges.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by sarki » 29 Sep 2015, 12:01 pm

Too small, not reliable IMO.

.22lr minimum if you want something small and keep shots inside 50m.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by bigfellascott » 29 Sep 2015, 2:13 pm

You could go one of the 50cal Air Rifles, they will sort them no worries at all but honestly I'd prefer a CF rifle like a 222, 223, 204, 22-250 etc just gives you more flexibility and killing ability at greater ranges (nothing worse than sitting there watching a fox sit and look at you at 100m or more and all you have is firearm with limited range and killing power (been there done that too many times to even bother now).

I guess it comes down to the type of area you are shooting them in - Ie small acreage etc as to what cal is suitable, me if its small acreage and risk is an issue I'd look at buying some foot hold traps and just buying a 22 to finish them off with.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Baronvonrort » 29 Sep 2015, 2:33 pm

Title_II wrote:Under what circumstances are you guys shooting fox with .22 RF? I think that is a little underpowered. Are you taking headshots?


Headshots up to 100 yards.

My father made good money from fox skins a few decades ago before the campaign against fur by the leather shoe/skirt/dress/gstring/handbag/purse/jacket/pants wearing models who sit on leather chairs in cars and home.

If fur is bad then surely leather must be bad as well unless you're a hypocrite with an agenda.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Strikey » 29 Sep 2015, 6:11 pm

If the ranges are kept realistic there is no reason why a PCP air rifle shooting at 40fpe in .22 cal ( forget about the so-called magnum springers, they are very difficult to shoot accurately & will not equal a PCP for energy)will not take a fox with a well placed headshot but you can always step up to 25 or 30 cal, with the energy they produce the results would be the same as a rimfire. There are airgunners out there taking goats and pigs as well as foxes, I think a lot of shooters would be surprised at just how effective a PCP airgun can be, a .22lr at 100yds would be producing the same energy as some of these airguns at 50yds. ;)
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by on_one_wheel » 29 Sep 2015, 8:48 pm

Title_II wrote:Under what circumstances are you guys shooting fox with .22 RF? I think that is a little underpowered. Are you taking headshots?

Well placed head or heart / lung shots up to 100 yards but not beyond, using Winchester 40 grain PowerPoint ,
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by on_one_wheel » 29 Sep 2015, 9:01 pm

Strikey wrote:If the ranges are kept realistic there is no reason why a PCP air rifle shooting at 40fpe in .22 cal ( forget about the so-called magnum springers, they are very difficult to shoot accurately & will not equal a PCP for energy)will not take a fox with a well placed headshot but you can always step up to 25 or 30 cal, with the energy they produce the results would be the same as a rimfire. There are airgunners out there taking goats and pigs as well as foxes, I think a lot of shooters would be surprised at just how effective a PCP airgun can be, a .22lr at 100yds would be producing the same energy as some of these airguns at 50yds. ;)


Im still a little sceptical about hunting game larger than rabbits with air rifles, even with pcp.

What weight slugs and fps are we talking?
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Oldbloke » 29 Sep 2015, 9:15 pm

bentaz wrote:I've just bought a 222 because the 12ga wouldn't reach out and touch em, I wouldn't even consider an ordinary air rifle for foxes.
I know they are a pest but they still deserve to be killed cleanly and humanely.



Spot on. I have shot a few with the 22 and lost a couple of wounded ones. Hate that so got a 223. Just no room for error with the 22lr.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by 83neil » 29 Sep 2015, 9:18 pm

Thanks for the input.
We have a bush block where we camp and recently we keep getting foxes visit us, as close as 20 metres.
Most of the time we would just shoot paper targets and rabbits so pellets would b a cheaper option.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by 83neil » 29 Sep 2015, 9:22 pm

What would 100 shots cost roughly for a rim fire?
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Gwion » 29 Sep 2015, 9:31 pm

Anywhere between about $12 and & $50. Winchester PowerPoint Max about $10 for 50, CCI Velocitor about $11 for 50.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by bigfellascott » 29 Sep 2015, 10:31 pm

83neil wrote:What would 100 shots cost roughly for a rim fire?


Depending on the brand of ammo, but anywhere from say $10 - you can buy bulk 22 ammo (buckets) which I think have 1400 rounds for around $110 :thumbsup:
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Herdsman » 01 Oct 2015, 10:53 am

83neil wrote:What would 100 shots cost roughly for a rim fire?


About $9 or $10 a box or close to that. (It's 50 shots a box).

Like with everything they make cheaper and more expensive ammo, some match ammo is like $20 a box but you wouldn't use that for foxes.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Mr Pete » 02 Oct 2015, 10:17 pm

Baronvonrort wrote:
Title_II wrote:Under what circumstances are you guys shooting fox with .22 RF? I think that is a little underpowered. Are you taking headshots?


...before the campaign against fur by the leather shoe/skirt/dress/gstring/handbag/purse/jacket/pants wearing models who sit on leather chairs in cars and home.


This is brilliant. I once had a run-in with an RSPCA fundraiser who freaked out when I told her I shoot pests (rabbits & foxes). I tried to explain that the animal was dead as soon as the bullet (or shot) went through its head. She truly did not realise that her leather boots were made from the skin of an animal - she told me they came "from a fashion house".

All I could do was walk away, wishing her a long and happy life.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by huccl » 03 Oct 2015, 11:13 am

Mr Pete wrote:She truly did not realise that her leather boots were made from the skin of an animal - she told me they came "from a fashion house".


These people don't let the truth get in the way of a good story, as they say.... They think the world runs off the fuzzy feeling they get from being a do-gooder while all their meat and animal products come from some magical factory where the stuff just appears out of thin air.

Waste of your time trying to educate these people :thumbsdown:
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Heckler303 » 03 Oct 2015, 11:29 am

Mr Pete wrote:
Baronvonrort wrote:
Title_II wrote:Under what circumstances are you guys shooting fox with .22 RF? I think that is a little underpowered. Are you taking headshots?


...before the campaign against fur by the leather shoe/skirt/dress/gstring/handbag/purse/jacket/pants wearing models who sit on leather chairs in cars and home.


This is brilliant. I once had a run-in with an RSPCA fundraiser who freaked out when I told her I shoot pests (rabbits & foxes). I tried to explain that the animal was dead as soon as the bullet (or shot) went through its head. She truly did not realize that her leather boots were made from the skin of an animal - she told me they came "from a fashion house".

All I could do was walk away, wishing her a long and happy life.



When I was 5, even I had realized just from watching educational programs, leather came from animals. Alongside meat, antlers/horns and everything else in between. When my classmates found out at first about where leather comes from, some of them refused to ever again wear their fancy shoes or sit in their mum's car because they were 'laying against a dead body'.

I'm pretty sure I grew up with city 'tards.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by SendIt » 05 Oct 2015, 10:30 am

Heckler303 wrote:I'm pretty sure I grew up with city 'tards.


I know the feeling :problem:
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by 83neil » 17 Nov 2015, 4:42 pm

Thanks for all the advice.
Deposit put on a .22 and a .308
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Oldbloke » 17 Nov 2015, 5:13 pm

This is brilliant. I once had a run-in with an RSPCA fundraiser who freaked out when I told her I shoot pests (rabbits & foxes). I tried to explain that the animal was dead as soon as the bullet (or shot) went through its head. She truly did not realise that her leather boots were made from the skin of an animal - she told me they came "from a fashion house".

I take pity on them. They are either very DUMB or LIARS & FRAUDS. :allegedly:
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Title_II » 17 Nov 2015, 9:57 pm

Heckler303 wrote:
Mr Pete wrote:
Baronvonrort wrote:
Title_II wrote:Under what circumstances are you guys shooting fox with .22 RF? I think that is a little underpowered. Are you taking headshots?


...before the campaign against fur by the leather shoe/skirt/dress/gstring/handbag/purse/jacket/pants wearing models who sit on leather chairs in cars and home.


This is brilliant. I once had a run-in with an RSPCA fundraiser who freaked out when I told her I shoot pests (rabbits & foxes). I tried to explain that the animal was dead as soon as the bullet (or shot) went through its head. She truly did not realize that her leather boots were made from the skin of an animal - she told me they came "from a fashion house".

All I could do was walk away, wishing her a long and happy life.



When I was 5, even I had realized just from watching educational programs, leather came from animals. Alongside meat, antlers/horns and everything else in between. When my classmates found out at first about where leather comes from, some of them refused to ever again wear their fancy shoes or sit in their mum's car because they were 'laying against a dead body'.

I'm pretty sure I grew up with city 'tards.


Australia is a lot different than I thought.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Harts » 18 Nov 2015, 9:20 am

83neil wrote:What would 100 shots cost roughly for a rim fire?


Last time I got a brick (500 shots) on special it was $66.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Tiger650 » 20 Nov 2015, 9:01 pm

My spring piston air rifle with mounts and scope owes me North of $1800 and at 20 metres would surely do up a fox.
That said, a $350 .22 bolt action rifle shooting Z longs or equivalent over iron sights would do the same job and if there were two of the bastards you would maybe get the second as the .22 would be much quieter and very much faster to load a second round.
Foxes are prime ****** animals so I will offer another possible solution, ground bait the bastards and when they are happy eating what you leave out wrap a lithium button battery in the bait.
Not a pleasant way to pass but the fox and feral cat and the socialist are all hideous vermin.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by southeast varmiter » 20 Nov 2015, 9:20 pm

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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by sarki » 23 Nov 2015, 11:02 am

83neil wrote:Thanks for all the advice.
Deposit put on a .22 and a .308


Perfect first combo :thumbsup:
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by Heckler303 » 23 Nov 2015, 7:59 pm

83neil wrote:What would 100 shots cost roughly for a rim fire?


If you are shooting a 22lr, pretty cheap. Boxes of 50 are easy to find, so 100 rounds would set you somewhere between 15 and 30 bucks.


Shorts are dirt cheap, magnums a bit more expensive, check your LGS on how much their ones go for.
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Re: Air rifles and Foxes

Post by glidagida » 15 Jun 2017, 7:25 pm

To put this issue to rest, Field Sports Britain experimented with real Fox heads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khrJwZLOn6s
Rated at 82 ft.lbs. the result was a resounding "YES" for the big bore FX Boss 30 cal out to about 50 yards.
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Surprisingly, even the sub 12 ft. lb. plinker did some damage at 50 yards.
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