First FAC in Scotland – .270 vs .308 vs 6.5×55 vs something else as all‑round stalking calibre?

[ackers1]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice on calibres for my first FAC. I’m based in Scotland and looking to mainly focus on roe, fox and a bit of rough driven shooting, and I’ve also done guided red hind stalking with a view to booking more days, including in England and Wales.

Current plan for the application is:
- .22 LR (+ mod) for vermin and range practice
- One centrefire as an all‑rounder for roe and red, plus fox.

Mid to long‑term I’m conscious of non‑toxic ammo availability and cost.

For those of you stalking similar ground and quarry, would you lean towards .270, .308 or 6.5×55 as the main stalking rifle? Or would you go for something else entirely? Any thoughts on how that looks to Police Scotland on a first grant, and whether my “.22 + one stalking rifle” approach makes sense?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave_45]

If that was your quarry list I’d go 243 with a fast twist barrel for copper down the line.

None of the your mentioned calibres are well suited to fox shooting at night.

270 with 95gr vmax will “work” for fox but anything with 270 and roe in the same sentence is …..

if you however want to shoot larger deer in time the 270 is the one.

Might be better with a 243 and a 270

 

[oldhamstocks]

From personal experience got 22lr, 223 (fox and target) and 308 (everything else) plus shotgun on first ask from Police Scotland, already had AWL.

 

[ackers1]

From personal experience got 22lr, 223 (fox and target) and 308 (everything else) plus shotgun on first ask from Police Scotland, already had AWL.

that's interesting I was thinking of keeping it to two calibres to the first one to make it easier/quicker hopefully. How long ago was that?

 

[oldhamstocks]

that's interesting I was thinking of keeping it to two calibres to the first one to make it easier/quicker hopefully. How long ago was that?

Two years ago - had a permission lined up and intent to do DSC 1, was a member at Braidwood and did a CF lesson there which was commented on favourably when had the FEO visit.

 

[Malxwal]

How much shooting experience have you ?
A 6.5 is a good all rounder, but a Creedmoor is a good option for best variety of factory ammo, and easy to shoot.

 

[ackers1]

If that was your quarry list I’d go 243 with a fast twist barrel for copper down the line.

None of the your mentioned calibres are well suited to fox shooting at night.

270 with 95gr vmax will “work” for fox but anything with 270 and roe in the same sentence is …..

if you however want to shoot larger deer in time the 270 is the one.

Might be better with a 243 and a 270

The fox point is well taken – most of my foxing initially is likely to be ad‑hoc with a guide rather than high‑volume lamping, so I was hoping to get away with “living with” whichever deer calibre I choose rather than needing a dedicated fox rifle straight away.

Out of interest, with the .243 route with fast‑twist barrels and copper, do you feel it still has enough margin on reds?

 

[ackers1]

How much shooting experience have you ?
A 6.5 is a good all rounder, but a Creedmoor is a good option for best variety of factory ammo.

Very little to be honest, I am very much a newbie

 

[West5575]

I have rifles in all three. I agree with above one rifle from fox to hinds is a tall order. Take fox out and 6.5x55 seems perfect for roe to hinds. It’s my favorite out of those three to shoot by far.

What driven game are you shooting? 308 is easily the most versatile on your list and best suited for driven hunting rifles I’d think. My 308s are my handiest setups with shorter barrels than either of the other two.

Guess that’s not an answer but 270 seems least suited for what you’re doing.

If you don’t hand load then 308 is the best choice.

 

[User00056]

You're not even half an hour from me (Forfar area). I have both .270 and .308. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to come and have a shot with both? I'd be quite happy to talk you through them? Just fire me a pm if you fancy it

 

[Malxwal]

Very little to be honest, I am very much a newbie

Just thinking learning good recoil management, choice of rifles and ammo, and covering all species.

 

[ackers1]

You're not even half an hour from me (Forfar area). I have both .270 and .308. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to come and have a shot with both? I'd be quite happy to talk you through them? Just fire me a pm if you fancy it

Thanks Quixote - PM heading your way!

 

[M@tt]

What do you have experience shooting? Rifles, calibres/cartridge sizes, quarry, etc.

What calibres do your mentors or shooting partners shoot? And at what quarries over what ground?
If you haven't already, ask them if you can try them for yourself.

This should be the basis of your application, based upon your experience.

 

[Happy stalker]

243 and a 308 would cover everything you want to do.

 

[Kane01]

Guess that’s not an answer but 270 seems least suited for what you’re doing.

If you don’t hand load then 308 is the best choice.

For me, .270 in non-toxic is about the same if not cheaper in some cases than .308 non-toxic, might just be my local RFDs, but it was a factor in me picking .270 for a future proof all-round stalking rifle, plus fox.

 

[Dan Newcombe]

6.5 creedmoor and you won’t need anything else for the foreseeable future.

 

[6mmarc]

I’ve been shooting all 3 of those for years 65/55 probably my fave
There’s plenty of data coming through for the lead free ammo reloading if you wanted to go that way eventually if you didn’t want to stick with factory ammo
But as stated there’s so many calibers out there to choose from just try to test as many as possible to see what you like the best that will do the job you want it for

 

[hw101]

Don’t fixate on calibre because they all work. Pick the rifle you can shoot well, you like and can feed. Though the ‘least powerful’ in terms of muzzle energy, .243 will kill anything in the uk with ease if you do your bit.

 

[deeangeo]

Ha ha - yer gonna get a lot of different answers to your questions, but my take is simple.
A .25-06Rem will take ANYTHING in the UK with absolute ease. so it'll do yer fox & take big red stags in the rut - I know this - I've done it for the thick end of 30yrs with my .25-06.
For me it's always been important to see quarry reaction to impact & the .25 has low recoil - rather like a .243 on steroids... but it's FAST & will easily manage all ranges out to 350yds.
The thing is - you'll need to load yer own ammo as dealers don't have much in the way of supplies. Good bullet choices too so pick the right ones to do the job. But once yer know how, it's easy & accuracy improves dramatically.
The quarter bore has never been very fashionable, but it's bin around a long time & those who know -KNOW!
Good luck

 

[HonestJohn]

Ha ha - yer gonna get a lot of different answers to your questions, but my take is simple.
A .25-06Rem will take ANYTHING in the UK with absolute ease. so it'll do yer fox & take big red stags in the rut - I know this - I've done it for the thick end of 30yrs with my .25-06.
For me it's always been important to see quarry reaction to impact & the .25 has low recoil - rather like a .243 on steroids... but it's FAST & will easily manage all ranges out to 350yds.
The thing is - you'll need to load yer own ammo as dealers don't have much in the way of supplies. Good bullet choices too so pick the right ones to do the job. But once yer know how, it's easy & accuracy improves dramatically.
The quarter bore has never been very fashionable, but it's bin around a long time & those who know -KNOW!
Good luck

This is the correct answer, and 100g fox loaded ammo is available from Edinburgh rifles