I have a 204 and just shot a fox last week, I use 45gr soft point and it went through witg hardly any damage, I wouldbt recomend using a vmax or anything from a 223, they both have alot of power and it will not stop on a fox, your best bet is to just get either the 204 or 223 and use the hunting style bullets over varmit bullets, either if these calibers will have all the range you need and can easily take the biggest coyote at any distance, they are good for fox too like i said use the sturdy bullets that dont fragment and you will have great results. The 22 hornet is a grandpa cartrige and is no match for either of the two, if your buying a new centerfire rifle maksure you get enough gun othwise you will not keep it long... you can shoot a fox with a 22hornet and they can and will still get up and run. a 204 will be a garuntee one shot kill. do yourself the favor there is no reason to do more with less.