Fox. Snipe with a .22 or 12 gauge game shot?
 

I have spotted a fox in our rural farm area on multiple occasions over the past couple weeks. A couple days ago the fox was 100 - 150 yards away from our chicken coop and our barn. I am starting to worry it will go for our chickens and/or newly born goats.

Would I have better luck sniping the fox with a .22 or whacking it with a 12 gauge with game shot?

I say .22.
Wife says 12 gauge.

What you say?

Speedy:)

I say .22.


100 yard shot with shotgun will wound, if you do hit it

Leave the dog out.

100-150 yards on a fox is out of range for either a .22 or shotgun.

Do you actually own one or both of these today? Do you even own a gun yet? "Game shot" stands out as a bit of a red flag that indicates you neither own firearms nor know much about them. Tell us honestly where you are starting from, and we will be better able to help you out.

I'd get one of these if I were you. Can't ever be too cautious about them foxes.

http://www.anzioironworks.com/images...atangle-FP.jpg

223 or 22-250

Like Jeff sez. Way out of killing range for either gun. A .17 HMR "might" be ok but as with the .22 you risk a wounding shot. That's just not cool. Give it an honorable death with a clean quick kill. A .223 or 22-250 is the perfect round without over kill. 204 ruger would do the job nicely.

Yes I own a 12 gauge, 20 gauge and a .22. The 12 and 20 gauge I have just used for shooting clay pigeons, the .22 I have used for plinking little 13 lined ground squirrels from 25- 50 yards. I am by no means an expert.

I was thinking with the right round, high velocity hollow point, I could rip a pretty good size hole with a .22.

The 12 gauge I would fear would loose effectiveness much quicker and would only provide a warning to the fox.

I agree a 223 would be a good choice as it is one of the better varmint rounds out there.

How about a AR15 with 223 and scope? I might have justification to buy one now :)

Or a nice single shot 50 caliber :D


Speedy:)

Mosin Nagant for like $79 from a local gun shop. You'll get all of the punch and range you need without having to spend bucks. (unless of course, you want to shell bucks out on another firearm..)

I use a 22 Mag on Coyote's and Fox. 204 Ruger would be my new pick for that job. 223 covers it all even better.

W/in 25-30 yards, one of the shotguns loaded with small buckshot or large birdshot.

If you are gonna snipe him, at 150, either a 22 magnum or a centerfire of some sort.

If you can make a headshot w/ the 22lr I'd think it would be good out to 75 yards max...

Sounds like a great excuse to buy a new spoon. :)

Ruger makes the Mini-14 as a good "ranch rifle", best for putting down varmints and vermin.
Mosins (bolt action) are good and cheap, guaranteed to take the critter down if you're accurate and hit 'em. Cheap to shoot too.

As has been noted, 100 yards is out of (ethical) range for either.

Even without a scope. Either way, 223 would do the job just fine.

Check your local laws though.

If you secured the fox ,with say a #1.75 leghold trap, a .22 would be perfect.

Land mines might do the trick.... 30-30 would work nicely and is relatively cheap to shoot and easy to reload. Plus, it's a great excuse to buy a rifle oozing pure testosterone, a winchester model of 1894

You are right about the 12 gauge. Lots of guys use them on pests like this, but you have to be quite close. Maybe 20 to 30 yards, using a heavy "turkey" load with #2's or BB's and a full choke. The .22 would work at up to twice that range, but that's about it. That's really the crux of the problem - the limited range of either.

The .223 is a big step up, in more ways than one. It's extended range will allow you to kill a fox (or coyote, bobcat, raccoon, or whatever else shows up) pretty much as far away as you can see one. That extended range also means more attention to backstop, direction you are shooting, and that kind of safety concern. They are a lot louder as well. All in all, though, it's a great choice for anyone living in a rural area like you are, especially if you are keeping chickens and such. You'll have more visitors than just that fox...

You're really trying to tease me now...

Let me know if you pick up a new toy and want to hit the range.

Looks like I'll be driving through your area next weekend. Maybe we can get together either going on Friday or coming back on Sunday? (Sunday looks better for me...)

As many have said, .223.

If you want to save some $, find a cheap .30-30.

A .22 or 12 guage would not be ethical.

Just my 2 cents.

mouth call that sounds like a mouse..and the shotgun.