First time Rifle

[Willowthewhisk]

Hi All

I'm wanting to get my FAC (Actually getting it will be another story) but I'm not quite sure what I should be applying for.. It will be for general use for targets, rabbits and the occasional fox! What sort of calibre should I be looking at? I have lot's of shooting experience but never owned my own rifle. Any advice very welcome, tah!

 

[Will the chippy]

1 in 8 twist 223. Boring but will do all you ask.
Or a 222.

 

[Willowthewhisk]

1 in 8 twist 223. Boring but will do all you ask.
Or a 222.

Thanks Will, not worried about boring. Will getting this on the ticket be difficult as I haven't had a rimfire?

 

[VSS]

.222 would do you nicely.
But don't overlook the possibility of applying for a .22lr (rimfire) as well.

 

[Willowthewhisk]

.222 would do you nicely.
But don't overlook the possibility of applying for a .22lr (rimfire) as well.

Thanks VSS, the .222 looks great for what I would need, I would try and get both I think, do you think I would have an issue getting centre fire without having had rimfire first?

 

[VSS]

Thanks VSS, the .222 looks great for what I would need, I would try and get both I think, do you think I would have an issue getting centre fire without having had rimfire first?

If you have a genuine "good reason" for both then there's no reason why they won't allow you both, from the outset.
It seems you do have good reason:
.22lr for rabbits and vermin.
.222 (or similar small centrefire) for foxes, AOLQ and targets.
(Don't forget the AOLQ, because that'll cover you if you wanted to also use the. 222 for long range rabbits or even small deer species in the future)
And don't forget to apply for sound moderators for both at the same time.

 

[Willowthewhisk]

Brilliant, thank you! Any recommendations on anything specific? What should I be looking at SH price for the whole lot (Each Set Up)? Also for foxing assume I will want some sort of night vision but again a bit of a minefield....

 

[GlennUK]

Thanks VSS, the .222 looks great for what I would need, I would try and get both I think, do you think I would have an issue getting centre fire without having had rimfire first?

Logically and as I understand it, legally there is no logic to granting rf before cf. Factually both are lethal at substantial ranges.

Having said that the FLO in my case granted .17hmr and .22 fac air at 1st app. But asked me to get experience before granting 6.5 cm.

I wasn't bothered as I wanted to get some experience/knowledge b4 stalking, but accept that others take a different view.

HTH

 

[Willowthewhisk]

Logically and as I understand it, legally there is no logic to granting rf before cf. Factually both are lethal at substantial ranges.

Having said that the FLO in my case granted .17hmr and .22 fac air at 1st app. But asked me to get experience before granting 6.5 cm.

I wasn't bothered as I wanted to get some experience/knowledge b4 stalking, but accept that others take a different view.

HTH

Thanks Glenn, that's my worry.. I suppose I will just have to chat with him, my FAO is a nice bloke so will get the ball rolling with my GP forms then go from there

 

[VSS]

Brilliant, thank you! Any recommendations on anything specific? What should I be looking at SH price for the whole lot (Each Set Up)? Also for foxing assume I will want some sort of night vision but again a bit of a minefield....

If you're buying 2nd hand then the world is your oyster! It's a buyers market, thanks to our licensing system.
Don't overspend on the rifles, and put at least half of your budget towards decent scopes.
I wouldn't worry too much about night vision at this stage. Given that this is all fairly new to you, you've got a fair bit to do to become familiar and confident with those rifles in daylight before you go slinging lead around in the dark. (Just my opinion).

 

[GlennUK]

Just a thought, if you have a local RFD try speaking to tem when buying your rifle. I w9rled with mine and they helped with gett8ng the rifle/scope I wanted and then helped when i had issues.

I have no issues buying online, I do it all the time, but supporting a local rfd will pay dividends over time and I used my .ocal ISS in Ingatestone for my ammo/supplies

 

[Willowthewhisk]

Just a thought, if you have a local RFD try speaking to tem when buying your rifle. I w9rled with mine and they helped with gett8ng the rifle/scope I wanted and then helped when i had issues.

I have no issues buying online, I do it all the time, but supporting a local rfd will pay dividends over time and I used my .ocal ISS in Ingatestone for my ammo/supplies

Yeah couldn’t agree more, I’ve got a couple of really good shops I use (have way too many shotguns..) so will speak to them soon, just wanted to put the feelers out on here!

 

[GlennUK]

Yeah couldn’t agree more, I’ve got a couple of really good shops I use (have way too many shotguns..) so will speak to them soon, just wanted to put the feelers out on here!

No worries, loads if folk on here have lots of experience and are able to help too.

 

[Sniper308]

I should imagine you’ll be allowed at least two. For this reason I’d as for .223 and .22lr

 

[Cogswell & Harrison]

Hi All

I'm wanting to get my FAC (Actually getting it will be another story) but I'm not quite sure what I should be applying for.. It will be for general use for targets, rabbits and the occasional fox! What sort of calibre should I be looking at? I have lot's of shooting experience but never owned my own rifle. Any advice very welcome, tah!

As others have said, for your intentions I'd suggest .22lr and a small case .22 calibre centrefire along the lines of a .222 or .223 Remington.

Makes, models and styles? Well, the world is your oyster but if you fancy a run out some time, I'm in east yorks by the way, you are more than welcome to try all three referenced above at my local range near Brandesburton.

 

[Willowthewhisk]

As others have said, for your intentions I'd suggest .22lr and a small case .22 calibre centrefire along the lines of a .222 or .223 Remington.

Makes, models and styles? Well, the world is your oyster but if you fancy a run out some time, I'm in east yorks by the way, you are more than welcome to try all three referenced above at my local range near Brandesburton.

Hi there. Thanks a lot for your offer! I’m actually a shotgun member of Humberside, so I’ll definitely be down to try some out and take a couple of lessons to brush up before I head out on my own!

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
Certainly the .222 or .223 is an excellent choice but rather than the .22 lr I would suggest a .17hmr - much more accurate and far greater range plus it will kill an opportunity fox - if you do your bit.
Good luck in any event.

 

[Fn5]

What i will say is:

Getting whatever you like for target shouldn't be an issue, if it's your first time having an FAC, they might be a bit funny about CF (this is just from friends experiences) and getting things cleared for quarry/game might be an issue for the first run of your ticket (my own personal experience on that one!) but it all depends on your FEO/Firearms Dept i guess!

 

[Donkey Basher]

What i will say is:

Getting whatever you like for target shouldn't be an issue, if it's your first time having an FAC, they might be a bit funny about CF (this is just from friends experiences) and getting things cleared for quarry/game might be an issue for the first run of your ticket (my own personal experience on that one!) but it all depends on your FEO/Firearms Dept i guess!

Getting a rifle for target shooting will only happen if you are a full member of a home office approved rifle club - plinking at the side of a cardboard box in the back field will not provide good reason.

If you’re not already a member of one, find & join your nearest hoa fullbore rifle club (not small bore as that potentially wont satisfy good reason for a cf rifle whereas being a me,bet of a fullbore club likely will satisfy good reason for a ref as well as cf). Once you’re a full member put in for whatever you like for target shooting & once granted apply for a variation for ‘vermin & aolq’ - you could try doing this all in one go but maybe discuss with your feo first.

 

[Cogswell & Harrison]

Hi there. Thanks a lot for your offer! I’m actually a shotgun member of Humberside, so I’ll definitely be down to try some out and take a couple of lessons to brush up before I head out on my own!

Very good! What I will say though is that should you opt for a "Centre Fire Rifle Experience" at HSG the rifle will likely be the lesson or rather estate rifle, which is a .243 and with a trigger that even Iron Mike would struggle with.

My suggestion would be for you to shoot the three different cartridges/calibres through my rifles which are well maintained with sublime triggers in your own time and not be limited to twenty rounds. All free gratis of course.

I was in the same boat at the start of the decade and a stalker from near Malton did something similar for me except he tipped up with eight, yes eight, different calibres and rifles so in a way I'm perpetuating the tradition.

PS get your name down with Pickering RPC, there's a waiting list but you'll be glad you did