New application - calibres to apply for?

[TheOldTool]

Hi, putting in my application shortly. I have everything in place, including:

Existing SGC holder for 20 years
Full member of local rifle club
Permission to shoot on 1500 acres of .308 calibrated land
Mentor letters from 2 different mentors
I stalk regularly with 2 mentors
Experience of stalking, 4 deers taken personally on accompanied stalks
Member of BASC & The British Deer Society
Currently studying for my DSC1, assessments booked for 4th November
Paid stalk booked for November

As you can see, I am into stalking and want a stalking rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor. I was just going to apply for this calibre initially, and a moderator slot as that’s all I need for now.

Can anyone see issues with this or should I also for example apply for a .308?

I did not want to apply for anything smaller as well, in case they knocked me back to that on initial application……

What are peoples thoughts? Thanks

 

[The Optimist]

I would apply for a rifle and moderator in .308 and .223 calibres as well. You surely will want also to target shoot with your clubs. Make sure you request sufficient quantities of ammunition in all calibres for both target shooting and stalking.

 

[maximus otter]

Get some spare “slots” on your FAC no matter what.

You will doubtless need a .22LR, for example, to control pests. A .223 would be handy to remove larger unwanted residents, and to spare your wallet and shoulder when the munties arrive.

Also, your requirements and/or tastes will undoubtedly change within the next five years; having spaces on your ticket allows free one-for-one variations.

maximus otter

 

[Tim.243]

Hi, putting in my application shortly. I have everything in place, including:

Existing SGC holder for 20 years
Full member of local rifle club
Permission to shoot on 1500 acres of .308 calibrated land
Mentor letters from 2 different mentors
I stalk regularly with 2 mentors
Experience of stalking, 4 deers taken personally on accompanied stalks
Member of BASC & The British Deer Society
Currently studying for my DSC1, assessments booked for 4th November
Paid stalk booked for November

As you can see, I am into stalking and want a stalking rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor. I was just going to apply for this calibre initially, and a moderator slot as that’s all I need for now.

Can anyone see issues with this or should I also for example apply for a .308?

I did not want to apply for anything smaller as well, in case they knocked me back to that on initial application……

What are peoples thoughts? Thanks

I think they are great questions and shows people can be prepped which sets a good example.

 

[BE Precision]

Ask your mentors, they are real people that you know and have mutual trust with, don't go crazy based on advice on here and p!ss them off, that would be a bad start.

Resist a supervision clause if your licensing department try to impose that on you.

Personally, I would avoid asking for too much on your first application, ask for what you need and can justify with good reason. there is a real drive to limit the numbers of firearms held by individuals, I've always found being reasonable is the best approach. you can always add more via the variation process, I wouldn't worry about the cost, shooting is expensive, variation costs are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Spare slots always lead to more rifles being bought, and funds being spread across them too thinly in some cases. have a couple of good rifles and good glass, don't have loads of junk!

good luck.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Try to future proof yourself a bit for things you don't necessarily have the opportunity or desire to do right now, but might within the life of your certificate. Adding items later costs money and generally takes (even) longer than a one-for-one variation, so you don't have to be fully decided on any additional needs, just make educated choices within the ballpark.

 

[Liveonce]

Are you going to only apply for the 6.5mm creedmoor and nothing else? what will you shoot as a club member as if the club only uses MOD ranges is not the creedmoor currently banned on such ranges.

 

[VSS]

.22lr wants to be on there. Everyone ought to have one. Should be issued at birth, really.

You'll also want a .222 or a .22-250 for foxes.

Also a .270 for when you get fed up with everyone taking the **** out of you for having a 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[TheOldTool]

Thanks, useful stuff...... my reasoning for only asking for the creedmooor / .308 was that I have heard anecdotally of people applying for smaller calibres as well and the FEO only approving those initially, as a kind kind of "get you started" ladder approach to a larger calibre rifle........

I have access to plenty of .22 and other calibre rifles, that are all able to be shot on the ranges I use via the club, at no cost, so for now figured, why buy what I can use for free at the club?

Of course, if this was easy and less tightly regulated, then yeah, it would be great to get several calibres.....but I wanted to concentrate on getting the rifle I want to use for stalking first attempt.

My gut feeling is still to just apply for a .308 and a 6.5, specifically for stalking then go the variation route later.

Thanks again

 

[JTO]

Thanks, useful stuff...... my reasoning for only asking for the creedmooor / .308 was that I have heard anecdotally of people applying for smaller calibres as well and the FEO only approving those initially, as a kind kind of "get you started" ladder approach to a larger calibre rifle........

I have access to plenty of .22 and other calibre rifles, that are all able to be shot on the ranges I use via the club, at no cost, so for now figured, why buy what I can use for free at the club?

Of course, if this was easy and less tightly regulated, then yeah, it would be great to get several calibres.....but I wanted to concentrate on getting the rifle I want to use for stalking first attempt.

My gut feeling is still to just apply for a .308 and a 6.5, specifically for stalking then go the variation route later.

Thanks again

The main problem with that route is the buggeration factor of the time it will take to add additional weapons. Go for .22rf, ,223rem and 6.5/.308. With 1500 acres to shoot on, there should be no issue re reason to own.

 

[tackb]

6.5 creedmoor and a 308 will cover you , both very versatile calibres and very very well supported

i would get a 22rf as well personally if i was you

avoid 270 since like it's owners it's loud and obtuse for no benefit.......

 

[Nickb]

avoid 270 since like it's owners it's loud and obtuse for no benefit.......

 

[WalkedUp]

You seem like a sensible chap, just put in for what you actually want and can justify. I would not bother trying to game the system, have an open chat with you FLO when they come to see you.

 

[M@tt]

My gut feeling is still to just apply for a .308 and a 6.5, specifically for stalking then go the variation route later.

You got this sorted already.
Just apply for what you personally think you need.

The problem is, you've asked the internet and you'll get what the internet wants, not necessarily what you want (or can justify if asked).

You've already got extra suggestions from 308 to 22rf and several in between. You seem to have the experience necessary and the local knowledge available with the mentors, so go with that.

 

[TheOldTool]

Thanks all!

 

[Liveonce]

As a full member of a rifle club plus land you could easily justify say a .22lr with sound mod, then as others have suggested if at a later date you decide on something different you can apply for a free 1 for 1 variation rather than pay £47 a .22lr is not suitable for deer so will not impact on deer legal calibre.

 

[Mike1979]

.22lr wants to be on there. Everyone ought to have one. Should be issued at birth, really.

You'll also want a .222 or a .22-250 for foxes.

Also a .270 for when you get fed up with everyone taking the **** out of you for having a 6.5 Creedmoor

Tosh......the only advantage of a .270 is that they are so old fashioned you need one without a mod...so you are too deaf to here people taking the pee out of you

Well done to the Op for going for such a fine choice of modern calibre..everyone who lives in normal society (not in a bog or cave (N Wales and Norfolk count in this definition) should have one but get ready for the abuse that comes with owning one..its part of the fun

 

[Bowland blades]

Hi, putting in my application shortly. I have everything in place, including:

Existing SGC holder for 20 years
Full member of local rifle club
Permission to shoot on 1500 acres of .308 calibrated land
Mentor letters from 2 different mentors
I stalk regularly with 2 mentors
Experience of stalking, 4 deers taken personally on accompanied stalks
Member of BASC & The British Deer Society
Currently studying for my DSC1, assessments booked for 4th November
Paid stalk booked for November

As you can see, I am into stalking and want a stalking rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor. I was just going to apply for this calibre initially, and a moderator slot as that’s all I need for now.

Can anyone see issues with this or should I also for example apply for a .308?

I did not want to apply for anything smaller as well, in case they knocked me back to that on initial application……

What are peoples thoughts? Thanks

You really should add more than one deer rifle ( unless your going to step into volumes of total firearms) , which is not that great an issue unless the FEO raises it. Though the proposed 6.5 will be good for all UK deer , what if you want or need a dedicated NV set up , a 223rem for foxes , crow or the diminutive Muntjac and CWD ? Perhaps you fancy a Safari or dedicated NV gun ? Some forces will roll a slot over if you dont use it up in the first period .
Until you get to anti material class rifles there should not be an issue other than your use or maybe they want to see a verified booking ?
Thing is every FEO and every Force has their own ideas , surely you are already used to all that ?
Stalking wise all UK deer rifles starts at the .243 despite what those without the experiance that will work on all UK deer very well provided you load the correct bullet

 

[finnbear270]

What have you been shooting yourself when taking your deer?, did you get on with it?,
Your club .22LR is unlikely to be loaned out to you for shooting over land, unless you have a .22LR granted on your certificate for the purpose.

 

[Ratel]

As you can see, I am into stalking and want a stalking rifle in 6.5mm Creedmoor. I was just going to apply for this calibre initially, and a moderator slot as that’s all I need for now.



What are peoples thoughts? Thanks

You will have to grow a Man bun first. I'm busy growing two plaits so I can buy a double.