3 rifles for FAC app. Fox/Vermin only

[Revan797]

Hello All,

I hope your all well and had a good weekend so far.

I am applying for FAC over spring once I've moved into my new gaffe cannot unfortunately have them where I currently live.

I was thinking 22RF vermin only, 22 WMR for vermin/fox on small holdings and 22-250 fox & vermin for larger places, open fields etc

Largest place I currently have is about 100 acres
Next largest is 45 acres, but has wide open field on one spot 25 acres and up in the hills.

I was just wondering if 223 would be a better option than 22-250 not to stir up a hornets nest just want people's advice and thoughts

I have a farmer friend who uses a 22-250 to very good effect and swears by it.

AJ

 

[Razzdogg]

A .243 might be a good option instead a lot more versatility with loads depends on whats approved on the grounds you shoot

 

[VSS]

For fox and vermin only, I think I wouldn't bother with three rifles.
Just .22lr and 22-250

 

[nic531]

same here, two rifles, but I would go 223 & 22lr

 

[BenBhoy]

I'd say 17hmr which negates the 22lr & 22wmr. 204 instead of 22 cf

 

[nf-fuse]

I don't think 223 is better or worse than 22-250. They both have more than enough puff to get the job done. It really comes down to gun choice and ammo availablity for me. They're both pretty common calibres. 223 the more common though.

It might come down to land clearance if it's a first grant or your not in Scotland. If your force still does land clearance and you're on a closed ticket you will only be able to get guns that reflect the calibre rating of the land (or evidence you need it for paid stalks etc).

Ironically this could mean you end up getting more slots if the land clearance is different on the various bits of land.
...They can't so no to a calibre they rate on land you have permission on....

My force actually class 22lr and 22wmr as the same thing. You only get 22rf on your ticket. The covers all 22 rim fires.

I think your calibre choices are fine.. personally I would get 17hmr and 223 but it's hardly a huge difference.

Your force may also not condition 17hmr or 22wmr for foxing. It comes down to the force. But then again they might have to if they won't rate the land for centre fire.....

 

[7Miller]

Personal choice, but 2 rifles would be enough, IMHO. Always nice to have more rifles though, so I get that.

I'd go 17HMR and either the 223 or 22-250

 

[nf-fuse]

I would ask for all three. They will happily give out 22lrs especially if you have higher calibres. They're super cheap. 17hmrs are possibly even cheaper to buy used. I paid 120 quid for one of my 17hmrs and it shoots well!

But like I say depends on the land clearance and the local force's random rules/procedures they've dreamed up. With three bits of land there's a good chance you will get three different calibre ratings.

 

[Revan797]

I would ask for all three. They will happily give out 22lrs especially if you have higher calibres. They're super cheap. 17hmrs are possibly even cheaper to buy used. I paid 120 quid for one of my 17hmrs and it shoots well!

But like I say depends on the land clearance and the local force's random rules/procedures they've dreamed up. With three bits of land there's a good chance you will get three different calibre ratings.

Yeah one place I have 10 acres is cleared for 22rf, 2nd 100 acres cleared to 22cf, 3rd the 45 acres I don't think has ever been cleared but on a hill, fields are not flat at all very up and down and 4th a stables is good in 2 places for rf as land has good backdrop going up a hill in both big fields

Only wanting the 22lr for the stables and 10 acre small holdings in places, my local force when I apply once I've moved in will be Cheshire.

One of my shooting friends has 223, I will reload eventually but just like to get something where factory is commonly available.

My farmer mate also has 204 and I've seen him drop foxes with that no issues.

Liking the idea of 22-250 as I could take it up Scotland for guided roe stalking, muntjac and cwd as well in England.

Shootings my only go to interest no other interests to take my hard earned £

AJ

 

[Nickb]

. 17hmr and .22/250 is all you need

 

[nf-fuse]

Yeah one place I have 10 acres is cleared for 22rf, 2nd 100 acres cleared to 22cf, 3rd the 45 acres I don't think has ever been cleared but on a hill, fields are not flat at all very up and down and 4th a stables is good in 2 places for rf as land has good backdrop going up a hill in both big fields

Only wanting the 22lr for the stables and 10 acre small holdings in places, my local force when I apply once I've moved in will be Cheshire.

One of my shooting friends has 223, I will reload eventually but just like to get something where factory is commonly available.

My farmer mate also has 204 and I've seen him drop foxes with that no issues.

Liking the idea of 22-250 as I could take it up Scotland for guided roe stalking, muntjac and cwd as well in England.

Shootings my only go to interest no other interests to take my hard earned £

AJ

You can shoot the smaller deer with 223 as well. You shouldn't have an issue getting 223 or 22-250. Visit a local RFD or two and ask what they have got. I doubt 22-250 will be an issue though. Common calibre.

If your land is already cleared for 22 centre fires then you should be able to get a 22-250 I guess.

End of the day it's going to be down to what happens in your application process and how difficult they want to be.

 

[Revan797]

You can shoot the smaller deer with 223 as well. You shouldn't have an issue getting 223 or 22-250. Visit a local RFD or two and ask what they have got. I doubt 22-250 will be an issue though. Common calibre.

If your land is already cleared for 22 centre fires then you should be able to get a 22-250 I guess.

End of the day it's going to be down to what happens in your application process and how difficult they want to be.

That's true, a sadly no longer with us friend who used to work in McAvoy's when it was open always swore by 223 and didn't see the point of 22-250 for the extra noise, reduced barrel life.

2 rfds who are more nearby at the moment both have 22-250 in Branthwaites, leek shooting supplies. I think pets and pastimes has it in too

I feel it's a shame no one took over McAvoy's as that place was great always friendly and good customer service when you went in fresh brew machine on tap for you. I miss venturing up there if I'm honest,

Yeah true, I think the 45 acres would get cleared for 22cf given the backdrop and how the land is.

AJ

 

[Revan797]

. 17hmr and .22/250 is all you need

I saw a farmer on YouTube swear by this combo, going to give it some thought cheers Nick

 

[WalkedUp]

I would go for three with a view to initially just buying one, then add slowly. Better to have the slots to fill if you can justify them.

 

[Revan797]

I would go for three with a view to initially just buying one, then add slowly. Better to have the slots to fill if you can justify them.

That's exactly my thoughts, buy over time incremental steps for what I need them for fox, fox & vermin, vermin only

 

[VSS]

That's exactly my thoughts, buy over time incremental steps for what I need them for fox, fox & vermin, vermin only

But unless you need them at the time of your application they're not going to be granted.
They won't grant you a slot for a rifle you might need in the future.

 

[nf-fuse]

But unless you need them at the time of your application they're not going to be granted.
They won't grant you a slot for a rifle you might need in the future.

And they will get funny if you don't fill your slots.

 

[BenBhoy]

Ive currently got 22lr, 17Hornet & 204. Variation in for fac air. If get that, think I'll bin 22lr & 17 hornet & revert to 17 hmr.

 

[Revan797]

Well I'm meaning I'm not buying all 3 at once one weekend, over the course of a year or when I can get them, sorry for the poor wording or explanation vss

Id only look at going for used rimfires and CZ's as whole kits/setups & keep costs down

 

[nf-fuse]

Well I'm meaning I'm not buying all 3 at once one weekend, over the course of a year a year or when I can get them, sorry for the poor wording or explanation vss

I'm only going to get used rimfires and CZ's

They want you to put in a variation for each gun then buy it right after. That's the impression I got when I last spoke to my feo anyway. He seemed very concerned about the speed that slots get filled.

Hopefully they would make a bit of common sense allowance for first grants. Assuming it is first grant or regrant.