A small spot of foxing

[Guest JohnGalway]

I went up to Conors to head out with him lamping tonight. I brought along the new VL SS just incase.

 

First fox we saw was in a field of cattle by a lake. He did a bit of messing around, walking to and fro and wasn't much interested in the caller. Conor was lamping and I was the shooter, using his Remington VSSF II which now has a Jet-Z (hope I got that right) moderator. One very quiet Thwackkk later and foxy number one was bagged at around 70 yards I think, dog fox of this year.

 

Second fox was out in a bog, and I mean that literally... Again he didn't show a lot of interest in the caller. He was moving left to right from a bunch of rushes to a hillock. He was 140 yards out when Conor introduced him to an American Eagle hollow point. Very nice shot considering he was the smallest of tonights lot and again one of this years cubs. The moderator really is a great investment. Saves your ears no end and makes the rifle much easier to shoot, recoil reduced and you won't flinch expecting a big bang.

 

Third fox I spotted from the road a nice way up a hill. After a short think about it we decided to take a walk up to investigate. This one loved the call, came in straight for a long way then changed tack going right to left. I settled down with my new rifle and waited for Conor to pick him up again out of rushes. He stuck his head and chest out and that's all I needed. I didn't get a moderator and I think my lamper forgot as he was standing to the side but slightly ahead of me A fair amount of cursing ensued... Biggest fox of the night, somewhere between 100-110 yards at a guess.

 

Fourth fox caused a stir. After I shot the third guy Conor saw eyes flash up the hill and said I'd missed him. My heart sank! But, we walked on and found the third guy! So we were talking the usual rubbish as you do and generally making a lot of noise. Conor flicks the lamp around after a bit and guess who's coming back to join the party We moved quick to a boggy hillock which was bloody wet. I "settled" down in it and waited. Foxy came through a gap between two large rocks and I sent her to the big hunting ground in the sky at around 40-50 yards, again one of this years but a vixen this time.

 

Couple of pics below. First one is my rifle and the two foxes I shot with her. Second is the nights total, I thought I had taken a photo of Conors rifle as well but I must not have as I can't find it. I know he has one on his camera though!

 

 

 

Couple of pics of my new VL SS .223REM

 

 

 

 

 

[SNAP SHOT 194]

EXCELLENT bag john Hope the new rifle is luky for ye!!!!!!

[Yokel Matt 918]

Very nice piece of kit there and good at its job as well by the look of the lately deceased. Nice shooting mate and good commentry... is that one shot at the bottom target or a group of shots?

Edited August 10, 2007 by LocalYokel

[Ricky-N.p.p 0]

beautifull syock mate, really nice and a great thread to match, really enjoyed reading that

[rifleshooter 0]

Nice result john and a very nice bit of kit you took them out with realy like the look of that stock, are you using home loads as that is a good group & i bet your mate will not forget next time that you havent got a moderator

[Guest JohnGalway]

The bottom target is a three shot group at 100 yards, taken yesterday. She was holding an inch or under usually but that was the best group of the day. I was using American Eagle 50 grain hollow points, we're not really allowed reload over here. Some people do it but it's too dodgy for me. I love the stock now, took a little getting used to but it's fab. Also, in this rifle is the new Remington trigger, which gets top marks from me once you adjust it down (just a matter of one allen key like a Tikka).

 

She's had about rounds through her, all at paper besides two. I'm hoping that the barrel will settle down more after say 200 rounds. Then I'll know what she's fit for really. All I'm after is a consistant rifle that I can rely on. For me and where I shoot long shots are difficult due to foxy blending in with the terrain or being hidden behind the scenery. So a rifle that's fox fit for 200 yards I would be absolutely delighted with, it's a long way at night!

 

The moderator on Conors rifle is a great job, it's very easy on the ears. Although standing downrange of the rifle is still loud, tried it for one shot yesterday, won't be doing it again lol. I'll be getting mine done next year I think I'll go for an over barrel job as length is an issue for me more than weight. Work in tight spaces the odd time We saw a T4 in a shop but there was quite a bit of light rust already forming inside and it'd not even left the shop, I do rate them for moderation but not sure I'd be comfortable anymore with the idea of a T8.

[Guest Frank]

[Irish Lurcher 1,013]

John excellent pred control and reading.

 

 

Is your rifle treaded for a mod?

[Guest JohnGalway]

My rifle isn't threaded yet no. Conor had his done and it's a good enough job seems tidy. I'd eventually like to get mine done, get it pillar bedded and I've been thinking about looking for someone who's very good working on stocks to see if it's possible to make and install a laminate adjustable cheekpiece too, would make it awful handy if it's possible. the thumbhole groove on the right hand side of the stock doesn't allow much room for a pillar or whatever they use for the cheekpiece though, we'll see!

[rifleshooter 0]

Its a shame you can not reload as i am sure you would get some very good groups if you can shoot like that with factory loads, i think you have the makeings of a very good accurate rifle there John no doubt pillar beding will improve it even further,i had a T8 on my old remi a very good moderator only downfall was it made the rifle front heavy that is why i opted for a T4 AR on my new ackley

[Guest JohnGalway]

Tell me about it! That group above is the best group I've shot with it, it's not typical. She's usually holding under an inch with AE. I've only tried it at 100 so far. As for moderators, I was looking at the A10 as it's strippable. I need something overbarrel as length can be an issue at times. Saw a T4 in a shop and it was rusty inside without ever having had left the shop, put me off right away. Another idea I've had is adding an adjustable cheekpiece to the stock, it's a bit low, maybe an inch and a quarter or half. Not a cut out job but a bit of laminate attached to pillars or some such. Trying to figure it out... LOL

[rifleshooter 0]

I think i would be careful adding a bit on the stock ,you have a very fine stock would be a shame to ruin it if not done right, i had a stock pad on my old remi and this brought the comb up a little plus it had storage for ammo

[Squirrel_Basher 17,102]

Very good read mate.That rifle is a beauty too .Good luck with further outings .

[Guest JohnGalway]

Cheers Foxdropper!

 

I know when you say be careful about the stock. Only an idea at the minute to be honest, if I couldn't see work someone had already done then I wouldn't bother, like I said I love the stock as is, just with the 56mm lens on the scope I'm resting my jaw not cheek on the stock, works but you know yourself! I've got a beartooth comb raising kit already, it'd spoil the tart factor of the rifle if I put it on lol.

[Guest JohnGalway]

150 yard dog fox tonight, one of a pair I saw. I think the other one winded me. Oh well, it's a long winter