Five of the best: varmint ammunition choices

Fox control is essential to protect livestock, gamebirds and biodiversity, so selecting the correct ammunition for your rifle is critical to ensure humane dispatch, consistent accuracy and safe performance in varied environments. Modern foxing ammunition is designed to deliver a flat trajectory, reliable expansion and minimal risk of ricochet, enabling effective shooting at typical ranges from 50-300m. The following rounds – ranging from .22 LR up to .260 Rem – are among the most effective and widely used by pest controllers across the UK.

The Federal 53-grain V-Max is a purpose-built varmint cartridge offering outstanding accuracy and rapid expansion, characteristics essential for effective fox control. Loaded with Hornady’s proven V-Max projectile, the polymer tip initiates immediate expansion on impact, producing devastating terminal performance while reducing the risk of over-penetration. With muzzle velocities around 3,400fps and exceptional accuracy potential, it offers a flat trajectory and reliable performance at typical foxing distances. The .223 Remington is already one of the UK’s most popular fox calibres, and this particular load enhances its effectiveness, delivering clean, humane kills with minimal recoil and high confidence in excellent shot placement.

• vikingarms.co.uk

The Winchester 42-grain Max Subsonic is an excellent option for discreet fox control at shorter ranges, particularly where noise reduction is important and rifles are fitted with sound moderators. Its subsonic velocity eliminates the supersonic crack, significantly reducing disturbance to livestock and nearby properties. The hollow-point projectile is designed to expand reliably at lower velocities, delivering effective energy transfer and humane dispatch at appropriate distances. Ideal for use in controlled environments such as farmyards and buildings, this cartridge offers exceptional accuracy and consistency. When used within sensible range limitations, it provides a quiet and effective solution for close-range vermin management.

• browning.eu

The Sako Gamehead Varmint in .243 Winchester is a premium fox-control cartridge that delivers exceptional velocity, accuracy and terminal performance. Designed specifically for small vermin and predators, the lightweight varmint projectile achieves extremely high velocities – up to nearly 3,900fps in some loadings – ensuring a very flat trajectory and minimal holdover at extended ranges. Its rapid expansion characteristics provide instant energy transfer, ensuring humane results. Combined with the inherently mild recoil and superb accuracy of the .243 Winchester platform, this cartridge is widely regarded as one of the most effective and versatile choices for professional fox control across varied terrain.

• gmk.co.uk

Hornady’s 143-grain ELD-X is a highly advanced hunting cartridge combining match-grade accuracy with controlled expansion, making it exceptionally effective for longer-range fox control. Featuring a Heat Shield polymer tip and streamlined profile, it maintains excellent ballistic efficiency and consistent expansion across a wide velocity range. The InterLock ring and tapered jacket ensure reliable mushrooming while retaining sufficient weight for effective penetration, producing decisive and humane results on medium-sized vermin. With velocities approaching 2,700-2,800fps depending on load, the .260 Remington delivers flat trajectories and excellent wind resistance, making this cartridge ideal for open farmland and hill environments where longer shots are common.

• edgarbrothers.com