Errant foxes can be an issue all year every year, so we’ve picked ten rifles that will help you keep Charlie at bay.
Steyr Arms Zephyr II
The Zephyr II was announced by Steyr in 2016 and continues to be a staple in the UK market. Available in .17HMR .22LR and .22WMR, the award-winning Zephyr II is a firm favourite of target shooters and small-bore fanatics alike.
It has a 19.7” matte black, slightly tapered barrel and a gorgeous European Walnut stock with a pistol grip complete with fish scale pattern engraved on the grip and the forend.
It is bolt action with a matte black, low profile bolt handle. Weighing in at 2.65kg, the Zephyr II is lightweight, especially when you consider the walnut stock. It features a five-shot detachable magazine, single-stage trigger and tang safety. In short, the Zephyr II certainly lives up to the reputation of its predecessor.
RRP from £778.99
Sportsman Gun Centre
01392 354 870
www.sportsmanguncentre.com
Chiappa Little Badger Scoped
The Little Badger Scoped option is available in .22LR and comes threaded in 1/2x28UNEF with no open sights. Supplied with a basic scope and mounts, the Picatinny rails are mounted top, bottom and on both sides, just forward of the receiver, for mounting optics or optional accessories. The compact and lightweight design makes Chiappa’s Little Badger an excellent option for those needing an affordable take-down rifle.
SRP from £199 to £279
Raytrade
01635 253344
www.raytradeuk.co.uk
Howa M1100
The new Howa M1100 will be available in three chamberings: .22LR, .22WMR, and .17HMR, each with a “Sub-MOA” accuracy guarantee – rare for a rimfire. An ergonomic stock makes the .17HMR version a solid carry-around varmint rig for foxes.
The M1100 comes with an oversized tactical bolt handle, an 18” threaded and capped barrel, and two detachable mags. All are housed into a tough synthetic Tactical or Varmint style stock with a beavertail forend and optional finishes.
SRP £539.99
Highland Outdoors
0345 099 0252
highlandoutdoors.co.uk
Anschütz Match 64 range
Featuring the 1416 (.22LR) and 1517 (.17HMR) models, this range of guns is built around Anschütz’s Match 64 action. Their thumbhole walnut stocks come in standard or deluxe versions, the latter featuring a distinctive cut-out design (pic.) offering a lighter and more unique design. All models have a choice of 14” or 18” heavy barrels, threaded for a moderator. Each gun takes a four shot mag, and left hand options are also available.
SRP from £999
RUAG Ammotec
01579 362319
ruag.co.uk
Savage A22 Pro Varmint
Foxers now have a more effective semi-auto rifle with the Savage A22 Pro Varmint. The rifle’s Boyds Pro Varmint stock provides an extremely stable platform for the fluted heavy barrel.
A one-piece Picatinny rail and user-adjustable AccuTrigger allow the hunter to tailor the rifle to their exact needs and the 10-round rotary mag offers fast cycling. The straight blowback action ensures safe and consistent cycling.
RRP £690
Edgar Brothers
01625 613177
edgarbrothers.com
CZ 457 Synthetic
Part of CZ’s new 457 rimfire range, this robust bolt action rifle has been made for the harshest of weather conditions and environments, combining a durable nitride finish with a hardy black polymer stock.
The stock, borrowed from the ever-popular CZ 557 centrefire, allowed for significant weight reduction, so the CZ 457 weighs just 2.4kg. The 20” model is available in .22LR, .17HMR or .22 WMR, whereas the 16” is available in .22LR
RRP £430.99
Sportsman Gun Centre
01392 354 870
sportsmanguncentre.com
T-Bolt Target Varmint
The T-Bolt Target Varmint threaded rifle has been especially designed for hunting vermin and pests from a hide. It comes with an added wooden Monte Carlo Varmint stock on the heavy threaded barrel that guarantees accuracy. Both .17HMR and .22LR models are available in two different barrel lengths. Mounting bases for scopes are included in this model, which comes in a traditional grey laminate with stainless steel barrels.
RRP £699
Browning
01235 514550
browning.eu
Ruger Long-range Target
Ruger’s new Rimfire Long-Range Target is ideal for foxing at distance. The .22 rifle includes the patented, detachable, flush-mounted BX-1 and 10-round rotary mag that accepts all 10/22 magazines.
Sporting a no-fuss magazine release and Ruger’s Marksman Adjustable trigger, this rifle offers a crisp release with a user-adjustable pull weight between three and five pounds, allowing shooters to make that perfect shot.
RRP £780
Viking Arms
01423 780810
vikingshoot.com
Mauser M18
The Mauser M18 is a callback to the classic M98, embodying its total reliability without any unnecessary features that would bump up the price. It’s a workhorse rifle – incredibly effective despite its low price.
With heaps of durability, stability and reliability built in, Mauser calls it the ‘people’s rifle’, and it’s available in a range of popular calibres, including .243, .270. 7mmRem and .300Win Mag, so it’s ideal for foxes and vermin.
RRP £766
Blaser Group Ltd
01483 917412
blaser-group.com/en/
Tikka T1X
The Tikka T1X rimfire rifle features a unique barrel with a cross-over profile, which offers you the benefits and stability of a heavier barrel without noticeably increasing the overall weight.
Available in .22LR and .17HMR, it’s got a synthetic 10-round mag, stainless steel bolt, and two barrel length options (20” and 16”). It’s threaded for a moderator and topped with an 11” rail. The stock, meanwhile, is the same one used on the award-winning T3X
RRP £575
GMK
01489 579999
gmk.co.uk
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