My .375 variation has endured an epic and unduly impeded path through D&C licencing since October 2018. Per my post #40, I put this down to new staffing and extra work load on D&C as a function of the addition of Dorset to their jurisdiction. I am now tending to agree with bowji john: there seems to be a desire to delay processing with the hope of kicking applications into the long grass.
Over a six month period I have probably dealt with 7 or 8 different people as my letters have been passed between case handlers. Last week I had a conversation with my regional FEO, a lovely chap with whom I have previously had both telcons and face-to-face meetings. What he revealed is a bit worrying in its thrust and also its underlying suppositions.
Firstly, he confirmed that my application was with the FEO
superintendent as "
no one else can sign it off". Secondly, new guidelines issued to D&C FEOs [by this new super' ?] are that several calibres are "excessive" for
any UK applications [Despite clear HOG guidelines to the contrary] and
if used on domestic quarry, the "carcass would be blown to bits". FEOs have also been told to
"decline certain calibres because the [higher] muzzle energy increases the probability of the bullet emerging from the far side of the quarry". The FEO stated that 300WIN and .375 were listed specifically in this new approach. It is worth noting that the .375 has just 32% more muzzle energy than a .308! It is
not some
quantum leap in power.
By his own admission, my local FEO is
not an ardent shooter and is merely singing from the songsheet given to him. I started to explain how each of the points raised are, at minimum, debatable and probably misbegotten. So I have submitted an additional letter to the FEO Superintendent this week containing the arguments below. If I hear nothing in 10 days, I will need to proceed down the same road as bowji john and engage shooting association legal folk. I would hope that is unneccessary...
Taken in turn:
if [a .375] was used on domestic quarry, the "carcass would be blown to bits" -
There is plenty of empirical and anecdotal evidence to show that fast and light causes more damage than slow and heavy [e.g. the UK's ubiquitous .243 vs .375] The point is that fast, light bullets often create wound channels dispproportionate to their calibre due to hydraulic shock.
Certainly, folk in Africa hunt the tiny Duiker with .375 and [provided appropriate bullet used] the carcass damage is no greater than that from any lesser calibre.
FEOs have also been told to "decline certain calibres because the [higher] muzzle energy increases the probability of the bullet emerging from the far side of the quarry" - ANY rifle calibre can achieve quarry pass-through. Every UK hunter
assumes pass-through is a possible outcome and ensures that there is a safe back stop to trap the bullet should that happen. I do not think I have
ever seen a Roe carcass that
did not exhibit entry and exit wounds. A trip to any AGHE cold room in the UK would reveal most Reds have bi-lateral thoracic perforations.The idea that elevated muzzle energy makes pass-through more likely is just a straw argument: pass-through can and
does happen every day in the UK. Safely. UK hunters mitigate that risk
already. Any rifle that satisfies the
minimum energy requirements for humane despatch of deer can and will pass through those animals.
