.243 fox loads

Varminting and vertebrate pest control. Small game, hunting feral goats, foxes, dogs, cats, rabbits etc.

.243 fox loads

Post by twoforty » 30 Mar 2014, 3:27 pm

Hi all,

Need some advice on .243 fox loads.

For doing some varminting on these suckers at 100 - 400m do you think anymore more than a 55gr load is needed?

100m no problems of course, but out to 300, 400 etc. are the 55 likely to be running a little short on puff by then?

Any need for something heavier do you think?
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Apollo » 30 Mar 2014, 4:15 pm

Are you kidding!

At 400m the 55gr, especially Ballistic Tip will turn a Fox inside out.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by twoforty » 30 Mar 2014, 4:58 pm

Well that's good :lol:

I'm coming down from heavier 95gr game loads.

Flatter, low recoil varmint load is the current workup.

Wasn't sure how "light" 55gr really was over longer distances.

:)
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Lorgar » 30 Mar 2014, 5:10 pm

With a heavy (while still safety tested) powder charge you can drive those 55gr pills in the neighbourhood of 4,000 fps.

Velocity is not an issue you have to worry about with the .243 ;)
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Westy » 01 Apr 2014, 7:15 pm

243 Fox Loads????? Your joking right!!!!!! Did a fox steal your Baby or something???
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by on_one_wheel » 01 Apr 2014, 8:19 pm

400 mtrs ! Sounds like the foxes your hunting might know what your about...... 55 gr will be fine.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by twoforty » 02 Apr 2014, 8:31 am

I just put 400m in as that's the furthest I would ever shoot, not that it's a regular thing.

Just covering all the bases ;)

Obviously I was fussing over nothing though.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Aster » 02 Apr 2014, 8:32 am

Yeah mate, they'll get a lot closer than 400m to you.

They'll often happily stand there at 100m staring at you, if not closer.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Chickenhawk » 02 Apr 2014, 8:33 am

Well closer.

Check out YouTube and there are videos with blokes with fox whistles getting them to come 5m away!
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by twoforty » 02 Apr 2014, 8:33 am

Well, I'm pretty confident I could get one from 5m away at least :D
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Granting » 02 Apr 2014, 8:34 am

If not I think it's time you hand your license back in :lol:
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by grainweight » 02 Apr 2014, 8:34 am

Out of the man club! Hand in your card!

:lol:
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Westy » 02 Apr 2014, 5:54 pm

grainweight wrote:Out of the man club! Hand in your card!

:lol:

Like this'????? I had it happen to me

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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by teekay0 » 02 Apr 2014, 9:22 pm

This works in my Savage .243 on foxes and have shot a 0.336" 3 shot with the 2206H at range too.

Hornady Zmax 58gr 41.2 gr AR2206H , 41.9 gr AR2208 and 41.6 VVN550.

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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by on_one_wheel » 02 Apr 2014, 11:50 pm

Right... all this talk about foxes has stirred me up!

Just cleaned the 12 gauge, topped up the cartridge belt, grabbed 3 different whistles and laid out the camo ready to don at sparrows fart.

Hunting foxes can be one of the most rewarding things you can do, with or without the aid of a spotlight it is a art form of its own that deserves its own thread... I'm doing it!
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Igoe » 03 Apr 2014, 7:22 am

I couldn't get 55 and 58gn loads to shoot accurately in my 243. They sprayed all over the place.

I've standardised on 87gn V-Max for pretty much everything now.

Check your barrel twist rate to see if it is suitable for 55gns before you get too committed to them. As always, some rifles like loads that others don't like.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Prios » 03 Apr 2014, 10:43 am

on_one_wheel wrote:Right... all this talk about foxes has stirred me up!


Get fired up! Go son!

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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Lorgar » 03 Apr 2014, 10:44 am

Igoe wrote:I've standardised on 87gn V-Max for pretty much everything now.


That's the way IMO.

87gr recoil is soft anyway, and that way you've got a deer legal round if the right one crosses your path while your varminting ;)
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by grainweight » 03 Apr 2014, 10:46 am

Westy wrote:Like this'? I had it happen to me


:lol:
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by twoforty » 03 Apr 2014, 10:47 am

teekay0 wrote:This works in my Savage .243 on foxes and have shot a 0.336" 3 shot with the 2206H at range too.

Hornady Zmax 58gr 41.2 gr AR2206H , 41.9 gr AR2208 and 41.6 VVN550.


Awesome.

Thanks for the load data teekay.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Bennybigbores » 10 Sep 2014, 9:44 pm

This little load almost looks like they've stepped on a land mine, best accuracy I've achieved yet too, 75gr Speer varmint hollow point (biggest hollow point hole ever seen) flat base projectile, pushed by 44gr of AR2209 in once fired neck sized brass, mind you all rifles of differing brand makes etc like different loads. Mines out of a blued howa varmint axiom stock
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Apollo » 10 Sep 2014, 10:59 pm

75gr bullets on a poor Fox, gee. You guys really hate Foxes and love wearing out barrels, fast.

I can think of a lot better, cheaper and just as accurate calibres to shoot a Fox with .... and quieter than that loud .243W bark that's heard for a long way.

But, I suppose not everyone has a selection of calibres to use on little critters.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Seconds » 11 Sep 2014, 3:45 pm

Apollo wrote:75gr bullets on a poor Fox, gee. You guys really hate Foxes


They're like vampires.

If you don't do enough damage in 1 hit they come back to life...

No chances :twisted:
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by RoginaJack » 11 Sep 2014, 9:19 pm

I use 75gr HP on feral dogs and none of those have come back to life after getting hit, so I don't think you need worry about the fox.
I'd suggest you take a 12 gauge loaded with BB or No.2 shot and a whistle.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by Oldbloke » 11 Sep 2014, 9:43 pm

RoginaJack wrote:I use 75gr HP on feral dogs and none of those have come back to life after getting hit, so I don't think you need worry about the fox.
I'd suggest you take a 12 gauge loaded with BB or No.2 shot and a whistle.
Cheers,


Mmm, I have been thinking about taking an old single 12g and the 223 when I go out whistling next. Have others tried doing that?
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by greyghost » 12 Sep 2014, 10:51 am

Can't be arsed carrying a pair around personally.

I'd just take the .223 for the extra-range over the shotty.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by RoginaJack » 12 Sep 2014, 3:05 pm

Yeah, and a mate - 1 with the 12g and 1 with the rifle. Also gives you an extra set of eyes and someone to talk to.
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Re: .243 fox loads

Post by greyghost » 12 Sep 2014, 3:52 pm

That's a better idea.

1 with a rifle and 1 with a shotty.
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