Applying for my licence

[Bearpoole]

Hi peeps. I've had my sgc for a few years now and I've recently got some new permission and I'm looking to apply for a .22lr or .17hmr for the rabbits and something for muntjacs what would be the best thing to apply for?

 

[enfieldspares]

There's the thing. Do you want to eat the rabbits or just eliminate them? And at what range? If under 100 yards that'll decide between .22LR and .17HMR.

As for the muntjacs there will be others along to give advice. Lots of videos showing the .17 HMR on rabbits so at appropriate ranges it seems to be good.

 

[Bearpoole]

Yeah I'll be eating everything I shoot.

 

[enfieldspares]

What sort of distance do you think for the rabbits?

 

[Bearpoole]

Most of the time under 100 yards

 

[J111]

I'd apply for 22 rf and 17hmr and 223 for the muntjac in that situation. Whether you buy the 22 or 17 or both is up to you.

 

[Bearpoole]

If things go well and I end up doing more deerstalking would a .308 be better? Ive first got to try find someone local to mentor me. Fingers crossed.

 

[enfieldspares]

Under a hundred yards for the rabbits and to eat? Then you can't be better set up at least cost than a secondhand BRNO/CZ .22LR Model 2 or, as they call it now Model 452. And...as a bonus...they come screw cut as is from the factory. Ring around a few gunshops and you'll probably fine a half a dozen within fifty miles of you.

 

[enfieldspares]

If things go well and I end up doing more deerstalking would a .308 be better?

Again whatever floats your boat. Some will say .243 Winchester, some .308 Winchester. Others will suggest other calibres. Best advice is to see, if you don't reload, what ammunition your local gunshops stock most of.

 

[J111]

If things go well and I end up doing more deerstalking would a .308 be better? Ive first got to try find someone local to mentor me. Fingers crossed.

Only you are going to know what you need or want. 223 would be a great low recoil muntjac calibre. If you need more later then you could get a 30 cal at that point, or do what a lot of people do and get a 243 for first application and then muck about changing later..

 

[stubear]

If things go well and I end up doing more deerstalking would a .308 be better? Ive first got to try find someone local to mentor me. Fingers crossed.

Thats the rub You're going to get a lot of different opinions on this and FWIW heres mine;

For my money the two all rounders for deer are .308 or 6.5x55.

If you think you might be going after all six species of deer or possibly boar as well then I would say get a .308. It has ammo available pretty much everywhere, grain weights from 120 - 180 in factory loads (110-220 if you roll your own) and will take care of anything in the UK.

If you're generally going to be doing lowland stalking for munty's and roe (maybe with the occasional fallow) then arguably 6.5x55 is the way to go. Nice to shoot, still has decent ammo availability with a good range of grain weights (120-156 I think?) and does less meat damage than .243.

You might also consider .270 which is the minimum recommended caliber for boar in the UK, and is flat shooting and hard hitting. It will easily take care of any deer in the UK. There are slightly fewer grain weight options available and some would argue it does more carcass damage than slower rounds but a lot of that can be managed by loading heavy for caliber.

In terms of the rimmy for rabbiting others have given good advice - .22LR or .17HMR seem to be the most popular two.

 

[Hereford]

Is there really the mentoring thing still? You have to love the continuity...

When selecting the rimfire I would urge you not to discount the .22 WMR - I use 30gr vmax and have (edible) rabbits head shot out to 120. It has accounted for a good number of foxes too whilst at the same time avoiding 22lr ricochet issues and the apparent ammunition problems with the HMR (doesn't suffer as much from sidewind as the HMR either). You may choose a 22lr as well to take advantage of the subsonic ammunition.

I really like the WMR - 2200fps out of a rimfire good for 120 yards - whats not to like?

 

[VSS]

Ask anyone what is the rifle they'd never give up, and most will say 22lr. It's what the majority of rifle shooters cut their teeth on. So I'd say definitely put that on your application. For a centrefire 243 will do most things, they're readily available, as is ammunition. I'm more than happy with my combination of 22lr and 243.
Having said that, if I was starting all over again I might go for 3 rifles: 22lr, 22-250 and 308. However, having used a 308 on a few occasions I have to say it doesn't really float my boat, so no plans to change anytime soon! I might also consider changing the 243 for 270, but again no immediate need - current combination is satisfying all my requirements.

 

[sh1kar]

If I was going for just 2 rifles in UK I would be inclined to go .22 Hornet and 7 by 57. Hornet a cracking round that will deal well with vermin out to 200 yards, although a bit more expensive to feed than 22LR. 7 by 57 will deal well with all our deer again out to 250/300 if you want to shoot out that far and boar assuming you getting the bullet in the right place. Also a very light recoiling calibreIMHO

Just to add if you reload a good range of bullets for both

S

 

[Kalahari]

The best bit of advice I was given was get everything thoroughly sorted before you start. Think of every awkward question you could be asked and have a rational reasonable answer prepared.

Best wishes,

David.

 

[DAVIDAIKEN]

Seams to be a lot of advice regarding which caliber. This appears to be a first application? You will probably be given .22lr, maybe.17HMR. I doubt you'll get a deer round first time round.

 

[Pine Marten]

I doubt you'll get a deer round first time round.

Why not? He has a permission with some deer on it, so there's your good reason. He already has an SGC so presumably his security has passed muster. Then all he has to do is not be a prohibited person. And ask nicely and play it straight.

 

[Kalahari]

+ 1 to PM. I got a .22, .223 and 7 x 64 straight away on an open ticket. Think about your application and get everything sorted.

David.

 

[jimbo1984]

Seams to be a lot of advice regarding which caliber. This appears to be a first application? You will probably be given .22lr, maybe.17HMR. I doubt you'll get a deer round first time round.

Why wouldn't he get a deer calibre ?? Got a 7mm and .22 on my first application , what b@llocks have you been listening to ..... You'll tell him he needs to join a target club next

 

[Whitebeard]

For a first time application its very simple, forget the 22LR and ask for a 17HMR for your rabbits, its more accurate then the LR at 100yds and is good for 150yds, i have shot 1000's of rabbits with the HMR, 100's headshot for the pot, all edible.
For Munties the law says you must use a bullet a 22 centrefire of adequate power, look no further then the 223, versatile, accurate, and plentiful variety of ammo.

Ian.