What partner calibre for 6.5 X 55?

[Orion]

This puzzles me as if you can only use the ammunition abroad then how do you:-

1) Sight the rifle in?

2) get familar with the rifle?

3) Practice witht eh rifle?

Now I realise that many do not need to practice and are just wonderful natural shooters ................................ but the normal mortals among us require shooting practice. We also require to get used to a rifle to make the best of things especially when rushed as it may well be on driven hunting.

Or does the welfare and humane dispatch not matter once you leave these shores?

These are questions you need to direct to the less enlightened police FLDs that seek to restrict the use of 'big game' calibres solely to use abroad - often not even allowing UK possession of expanding ammunition for use in them!

It doesn't take much to make a case for UK use, which includes the points you have raised plus reference to the relevant sections of the HO Guidance, but unless the applicant does it when the variation goes in he is likely to receive the 'overseas only' condition by default.

 

[mchughcb]

It's a blaser so about the only difference is the recoil. Unless you put in a safari profile the weight and balance will change a bit. Otherwise sight it once with factory ammo, practice with the 6.5 and when you are hunting just pull the trigger on the 9.3

 

[Orion]

It's a blaser so about the only difference is the recoil. Unless you put in a safari profile the weight and balance will change a bit. Otherwise sight it once with factory ammo, practice with the 6.5 and when you are hunting just pull the trigger on the 9.3

That would be the problem if the police FLD decided to restrict the 9.3 to overseas use only and what Conure alluded to.

You're probably not familiar with our arcane firerams licensing system and the quaint restrictions they try and foist on us, but it does happen that the FLD will allow someone to have a 9.3, .375, etc. but not authorise any ammunition to be possessed in the UK!

That's why Lateral was making the point that it is vitally important for anyone considering a 'big game' rifle to also ensure it's authorised for UK use with suitable expanding ammo, even if it is only on the range.

 

[mchughcb]

Well then one trip to the continent for sighting in is all you need? Going to be cheaper using the hosts rifles I think.

 

[Orion]

The best option is to just ensure the FLD treat the rifle as any other UK stalking rifle. The mechanism is there to achieve it, all it needs is a bit of research by the applicant and a willingness to stand their ground if the FLD try the default "computer says no" response.

 

[Lateral]

"loading" your own ammunition really helps with regard to UK use, and quantity allowances ! This doesn't mean that you can't ALSO use factory ammunition !

 

[Conure]

You cannot load your own with out Bullets and expanding well you now need permission to buy and possess them. From what I have heard and read even on these forums coming across a resonable FEO is more of a pleasant surprise that the norm.

 

[Lateral]

You cannot load your own with out Bullets and expanding well you now need permission to buy and possess them. From what I have heard and read even on these forums coming across a resonable FEO is more of a pleasant surprise that the norm.

Sure some FEO's are very difficult to work with, but it's easier to work with the system, using the HO guidelines, rather than always fighting against them !


As Orion has said, the covering letter, that goes with the variation forms, needs to be well thought out, realistic, all the bases covered, preempting all the questions you know the FEO needs to cover. Read it, leave it, double check before posting/emailing.

You put in a variation for a big calibre, you have good reason (boar/plains game/big Red deer, UK/abroad) you "home load", which will require development/testing/zeroing, of the required expanding ammunition, regardless. And if a calibre is acceptable for boar/deer abroad, it is also good reason for here.

Under the HO guidelines, it's recognized that people who re-load require a bigger bullet/ammunition allowance, so it covers the ill informed FEO, who thinks 40-60 rounds of a big calibre, reasonable !

This assumes you have an open ticket, or land cleared for said calibre. Be warned, if you don't have cleared land for the calibre, come renewal, you will/may have to get cleared land, to justify UK use (not Scotland). On renewal, they ignore the fact that you have an open ticket, even though they are going to renew with the ticket open

 

[Conure]

It used to be so much easier and more sensical ......................................... now it just seems totally insane. Was hoping to put in for my FAC in the spring but now with the relocation that will not be possible. Have not had a FAC for some years now and that was in a different County. Will see how we get once once the move is sorted and we are settled once more. The plan was for .22 L/R, .222, 270 and 7.62 but now will have to find a new club, new ranges, everything.

 

[Wills]

.270, or 300 winmag. If foxing is your thing, 223 or 22-250. A friend has a 17 Bmag (17 WSM). This thing has the similar energy at 200m as the 17hmr does at the muzzle - a very effective varminting tool.

 

[Konnari]

definitely 9.3x62 it's a perfect match with your 6.5x55

 

[Boarboy]

Thankyou for all your replies and info. Im Torn between 30-06 and the 9.3 x 62 at the moment. My only feeling is the 30-06 might be a better option for any long range hunting I fancy doing in the future, alpine chamois for example, and still be a good choice for the driven boar with 200gr bullets??

 

[mchughcb]

Woodleigh 220gr RNSP bullets in the 30-06 slay just about everything.

 

[Boarboy]

No doubt. But I'm guessing they're reloaded? I'd like to get something heavy in factory rounds for it ideally. But like I've found, suppliers over here never keep anything heavy in stock of both .308/.30-06.

 

[ejg]

I always thought the 9.3x62 is a fantastic round. Then again some of our German customers are going away from it saying the 308 works just as well...I don't know as we don't have boar. I would choose a 308 and just flog the 6.5. Judging from our customers the few that think a 308 is not enough are those who shoot long range as in deer/boar well over 400m. I see my limit also at around 400m for my 308's.
What is often more important than the actual calibre is to choose the bullet & speed well to suit the occasion (use a chrony). Recently measured some 155gr match factory ammo that would only produce 2480fps out of a new 308 20" T3 barrel.
edi

 

[mchughcb]

Yes they are. But this would probably as close as you can get. http://www.hornady.com/store/30-06-sprg-220-gr-RN-Custom-International2/

 

[simonl]

This puzzles me as if you can only use the ammunition abroad then how do you:-

1) Sight the rifle in?

2) get familar with the rifle?

3) Practice witht eh rifle?

Now I realise that many do not need to practice and are just wonderful natural shooters ................................ but the normal mortals among us require shooting practice. We also require to get used to a rifle to make the best of things especially when rushed as it may well be on driven hunting.

I fully agree, but bear in mind you're not allowed to 'practice' or 'get familiar with' a rifle. Or I'm not anyway...

The firearms and ammunition shall be used for shooting vermin and ground game/fox/deer and any other lawful quarry and for zeroing on ranges or land over which the holder has lawful authority to shoot.

I tried to get 'practice' on my certificate, but failed. I do lots of zeroing. If the police turned up for whatever reason I would explain that I was zeroing rather than practicing. Pedantic, yes, but the law is a pedant

 

[mchughcb]

Unless its long range shooting, a lot of practice I do is trigger control and breathing.

 

[Boarboy]

I always thought the 9.3x62 is a fantastic round. Then again some of our German customers are going away from it saying the 308 works just as well...I don't know as we don't have boar. I would choose a 308 and just flog the 6.5. Judging from our customers the few that think a 308 is not enough are those who shoot long range as in deer/boar well over 400m. I see my limit also at around 400m for my 308's.
What is often more important than the actual calibre is to choose the bullet & speed well to suit the occasion (use a chrony). Recently measured some 155gr match factory ammo that would only produce 2480fps out of a new 308 20" T3 barrel.
edi

Yes. I doubt I'd be shooting to 400m anyhow with my .308.! That is another query. Do I just get another 308 for everything I do.. Or a bit more "specific" in 6.5 x55 and something bigger. Scratching my head now!

 

[mchughcb]

Cheapest option 308 and different optic setup. Ie aimpoint micro and Swarovski z5 with bt. IMO.