375H&H - Good reason and UK use?

[Alistair]

Afternoon all,

I'd like to put a question ot to any on here who currently have a 375.

I'm interested in one myself, primarily as a driven boar tool in the short to medium term, but with the end goal of a trip to Africa in the back of my mind for the future as well.

I'm in the process of putting together a variation for the calibre and wondered if any on here had one for the purpose of driven boar or possibly even UK deer? This will be my 'good reason' for the application and I wanted to know if any others had seen success under these conditions?

I don't necessarily need AOLQ, as I'm not planning on ever shooting game in the UK with it, but I would need it conditioned for zeroing and practice for load development and use on the driven boar facility at my club.

This to me seems a reasonable request, but what say the people of SD? Reasonable chance of success, or a bit optimistic?

 

[deerstalker.308]

Norfolk and Suffolk have never had an issue with it but I did get it before the home office guidelines changed the wording, where before it said once good reason for over seas use was achieved it could be suitable for U.K. use, they removed that little gem..... you may be luck you may not.

 

[User00003]

They have to prove to you why it’s not a reasonable request, you have ‘good reason’ - uk’s largest deer species, including boar, interest in travelling to shoot boar (tell them you have hunting friends in Germany or something), that you’d like it for future hunting to the dark continent and as a DG calibre, it’s the rifle you need to know like the back of your hand and better than any others, your life could depend on it - so using it not only for practice but handling on live UK large game is very important, as well as being a very capable and sensible large game calibre in the uk

 

[reiver]

i dont have a 375 but i have a slot for a 9.3 x62mm and used to have a 9.3x72mm for use in the Uk no drama or problem with either.
As you a member of a rifle club that shoot full boar rifles you should not have much of a problem unless you become fouled by the range muzzle velocity /energy? perhaps?

 

[Klenchblaize]

I'm pretty confident that if I asked to upgrade from a 300 magnum to a 375 with a view to better "putting down" on the spot both roe or fallow on one of my shoots where a private road runs through the estate I'd have no problem from Kent Police.

My experience has been fortunate and due in no small part to an acceptance by my FLO that the presence and use of suitable backstops is the most important consideration.

K

 

[375 mag]

So long as you have access to land suitable for a centrefire rifle you should not have any issues requesting this calibre.

 

[dodgyrog]

I had clearance for a .416 Rem Mag for deer! The argument was that it had better knock down power and that the bullet wouldn't travel as far.

 

[sh1kar]

I have an open FAC conditioned for my .375 in UK. I have had the rifle for 15+ years and use primarily for Africa. Hants accepted that it would be useful for better knockdown power on big Sika etc
S

 

[YoungGun]

I explained that I hunted larger species in forestry (sans hound) at last light. I had experience of 30 cal not exiting on larger animals and wanted to make sure I could shoot through both shoulders and still get an exit ( and blood trail). The accepted logic was that the quicker the animal was immobilised and recovered the better for all parties.

 

[zambezi]

I don't necessarily need AOLQ, as I'm not planning on ever shooting game in the UK with it, but I would need it conditioned for zeroing and practice for load development and use on the driven boar facility at my club.

This to me seems a reasonable request, but what say the people of SD? Reasonable chance of success, or a bit optimistic?

I have a .375. It is conditioned for overseas use only. A year ago, Devon and Cornwall head of FLO stated aolq would be applied to this firearm for UK Red and boar use once domestic range competence was shown, plus confirmation of satisfactory use in a dangerous game context. I did both. In a sequence of exchanges this year the promised aolq status has been denied.

Why? Per my local FEO "new management at D&C have decided .300WIN and .375 will no longer be accorded aolq under their jurisdiction". That is based solely on an arbitrary ME threshold adopted by Senior FEO Steve Carder.

I hunt UK boar. I will be hunting again this week. Having the .375 on aolq would give me a an emphatic and safe tool to drop a boar. It would prevent any chance of a "runner" leaving private land and entering public areas. But per the D&C refusal letter, my lesser 6.5x55mm rifle is "sufficient".

Conditioning and zeroing: Not only did D&C not listen to reason regarding aolq, they have their ears blocked to the overseas load development issue too. Once again, I cannot shoot expanding ammunition in any UK context [range zeroing/FGASA training, etc]. So it is impossible to develop loads for use when facing dangerous game. Which is bonkers. But reasoned conversations with D&C are not an option.

Short answer: you maybe successful , but not if you live in Devon, Cornwall or Dorset.

 

[CarlW]

I have a .375. It is conditioned for overseas use only. A year ago, Devon and Cornwall head of FLO stated aolq would be applied to this firearm for UK Red and boar use once domestic range competence was shown, plus confirmation of satisfactory use in a dangerous game context. I did both. In a sequence of exchanges this year the promised aolq status has been denied.

Why? Per my local FEO "new management at D&C have decided .300WIN and .375 will no longer be accorded aolq under their jurisdiction". That is based solely on an arbitrary ME threshold adopted by Senior FEO Steve Carder.

I hunt UK boar. I will be hunting again this week. Having the .375 on aolq would give me a an emphatic and safe tool to drop a boar. It would prevent any chance of a "runner" leaving private land and entering public areas. But per the D&C refusal letter, my lesser 6.5x55mm rifle is "sufficient".

Conditioning and zeroing: Not only did D&C not listen to reason regarding aolq, they have their ears blocked to the overseas load development issue too. Once again, I cannot shoot expanding ammunition in any UK context [range zeroing/FGASA training, etc]. So it is impossible to develop loads for use when facing dangerous game. Which is bonkers. But reasoned conversations with D&C are not an option.

Short answer: you maybe successful , but not if you live in Devon, Cornwall or Dorset.

Are you still planning to appeal it? You were considering taking legal advice, iirc.

PS, in case it cheers you up, I should let you know that SAA have dropped their LHR-JNB firearms cost to USD65. Perhaps your note had an effect after all.

 

[JSF]

I have held a .375H&H for 5 years under Warwickshire Constabulary, conditioned for UK Deer & AOLQ, my reason was for Africa mainly and driven boar in Europe.

 

[Jagare]

I was tempted by a .375 H&H flanged that my LGS had on the shelf. It was a new Krieghoff double rifle with game scene engraving at a very good price.
I had it in mind as a rifle for driven boar. I did a bit of research on the interweb about the .375 flanged and several people were of the opinion that it was not a great round for boar with the available ammo on the market. The 9.3x74R and the 9.3x62 were considered better on boar than the .375.
I'm know that the .375 is a great round for Africa but personally there are better calibers for driven boar.

 

[Alistair]

I was tempted by a .375 H&H flanged that my LGS had on the shelf. It was a new Krieghoff double rifle with game scene engraving at a very good price.
I had it in mind as a rifle for driven boar. I did a bit of research on the interweb about the .375 flanged and several people were of the opinion that it was not a great round for boar with the available ammo on the market. The 9.3x74R and the 9.3x62 were considered better on boar than the .375.
I'm know that the .375 is a great round for Africa but personally there are better calibers for driven boar.

Interesting that. I assume this is driven only by the availability of suitable factory rounds though? The two 9.3 options you listed aren't a million miles away from the 375 in energy, bullet weight or BC, so unless the extra 0.09" bullet diameter has a marked effect, I can't see that much difference?

Looking at reloading supplies, I have basically the same bullet options in both, so it should be easily as good as a 9.3 for the task?

 

[Jagare]

If you reload then that widens bullet choice. I've shot the .375H&H in a bolt rifle and the 9.3x 74R. Fun that it is to shoot both of those rounds i find my 8x57JRS a very much more practical and comfortable round to shoot. I was out in the garden getting a bit of practice in yesterday before the first driven shoot on the 1st Oct. I could shoot the 8x57 all day without any discomfort. I still think about that lovely Krieghoff .375 but have no regret buying the 8x57jrs.
Someone mentioned the 9.3x72R. That really is a poor cartridge when compared. to the other 9.3 cartridges

 

[nun_hunter]

Out of interest people who applied for a 375H&H for over seas use were you required to prove you were actually going and not just saying it to "get a big gun" in the same way bookings for deer stalking are often required for the grant of a "deer calibre" rifle if the applicant has no ground of their own.

 

[Orion]

Norfolk and Suffolk have never had an issue with it but I did get it before the home office guidelines changed the wording, where before it said once good reason for over seas use was achieved it could be suitable for U.K. use, they removed that little gem..... you may be luck you may not.

Has it been removed? AFAIK the latest online published edition of the Guide on Firearms Licensing Law still includes it:

"13.37 The police will wish to be satisfied that an applicant has genuine intentions to use such rifles abroad, though such visits may be infrequent. Zeroing and practicing with non-expanding ammunition may be permitted in the UK, providing a suitable range or land is available. Those who home-load their non-expanding ammunition for such zeroing will also need to test and chronograph it. Some rifles intended for antelope and other plains game may also be suitable for deer, boar or other quarry shooting in this country. Once initial “good reason” has been established for a rifle in shooting “dangerous game”, it may also be considered for shooting the larger deer species and boar in Britain. Expanding ammunition may (must in the case of deer) also be authorised for an applicant whose certificate allows for the rifle also to be used for shooting deer or boar in Britain. Where a shooter experiences difficulties in obtaining “dangerous game” cartridges in the country where that game is to be hunted, arrangements can be made for a dealer to export an appropriate quantity which can be collected by the shooter at the point of embarkation. Individuals may be authorised expanding or non-expanding ammunition in line with typical amounts authorised for use in firearms for target and quarry shooting."

Doesn't look to have been updated as there is the reference to 'expanding ammunition' in there.

 

[zambezi]

Out of interest people who applied for a 375H&H for over seas use were you required to prove you were actually going and not just saying it to "get a big gun" in the same way bookings for deer stalking are often required for the grant of a "deer calibre" rifle if the applicant has no ground of their own.

Not sure if it would have been a prerequisite. But when I applied for the .375 variation it was definitely my intention to complete both DG and PG trips using that calibre. IIRC, I supplied email evidence of DG booking enquiries. On completion of a DG hunt using that calibre, I submitted all data to D&C FLO to add to their records. I.e. I satisfied the HOG "good reason" test.

I now hunt feral hogs in the UK.

In November I return to Namibia to pursue game of all sizes with the .375.

It is a huge frustration that only some, and not all, FLOs in this country understand the .375 [or its European equvalent, the 9.3] to be appropriate for Reds and boar per HOG guidelines.

 

[Sjambok]

Mine is conditioned for boar and AOLQ. Suffolk

 

[Flash9919]

I have a .375. It is conditioned for overseas use only. A year ago, Devon and Cornwall head of FLO stated aolq would be applied to this firearm for UK Red and boar use once domestic range competence was shown, plus confirmation of satisfactory use in a dangerous game context. I did both. In a sequence of exchanges this year the promised aolq status has been denied.

Why? Per my local FEO "new management at D&C have decided .300WIN and .375 will no longer be accorded aolq under their jurisdiction". That is based solely on an arbitrary ME threshold adopted by Senior FEO Steve Carder.

I hunt UK boar. I will be hunting again this week. Having the .375 on aolq would give me a an emphatic and safe tool to drop a boar. It would prevent any chance of a "runner" leaving private land and entering public areas. But per the D&C refusal letter, my lesser 6.5x55mm rifle is "sufficient".

Conditioning and zeroing: Not only did D&C not listen to reason regarding aolq, they have their ears blocked to the overseas load development issue too. Once again, I cannot shoot expanding ammunition in any UK context [range zeroing/FGASA training, etc]. So it is impossible to develop loads for use when facing dangerous game. Which is bonkers. But reasoned conversations with D&C are not an option.

Short answer: you maybe successful , but not if you live in Devon, Cornwall or Dorset.

I have all my rifles conditioned for aolq in d&c including the 300wm. Also have a friend with recent grant (within last 3mths) for .375 which is also conditioned for aolq.......you must have upset someone at Middlemoor!