Hello everyone,
I am a 26 year old farmer who has only just started getting into stalking and rifle shooting. A few of my friends are keen but I had never considered this alternative skill until I recognised I needed to get on top of the rabbits eating my crops. I am based on the Suffolk/Essex boarder and will be mainly shooting rabbits and deer. I’ve been a keen shotgun user for pretty much since I could hold one and have mainly been on game and pigeons but since going out lamping with friends using .22 and .17hmr rifles I discovered a new enjoyment of the sport.
So, I have applied for my FAC for a .17hmr and .243 and have had the ‘dreaded’ home visit (which was actually no problem at all, officer was super helpful and I actually ended up changing the calibre of one of the guns to a larger option, as is always the case, bigger is better!!). I will be mainly shooting rabbits so decided to go for the .17 rather than .22 purely for the consistency and killing power and because it may be required for a fox or two. I then originally applied for .223 as I have a lot of roe and muntjac on my permission but I have also seen a fallow or two. I didn’t think I would be granted anything bigger but it seems the firearms officer can, believe it or not, be incredibly practical and advised to apply for a .243 instead.
Anyway, that’s the back story, looking forward to getting out (finger crossed my application is granted) and getting stuck into some rabbits over harvest. Also looking forward to getting involved in some threads on here, learning more about various disciplines and improving my knowledge and skill.
Thanks
I am a 26 year old farmer who has only just started getting into stalking and rifle shooting. A few of my friends are keen but I had never considered this alternative skill until I recognised I needed to get on top of the rabbits eating my crops. I am based on the Suffolk/Essex boarder and will be mainly shooting rabbits and deer. I’ve been a keen shotgun user for pretty much since I could hold one and have mainly been on game and pigeons but since going out lamping with friends using .22 and .17hmr rifles I discovered a new enjoyment of the sport.
So, I have applied for my FAC for a .17hmr and .243 and have had the ‘dreaded’ home visit (which was actually no problem at all, officer was super helpful and I actually ended up changing the calibre of one of the guns to a larger option, as is always the case, bigger is better!!). I will be mainly shooting rabbits so decided to go for the .17 rather than .22 purely for the consistency and killing power and because it may be required for a fox or two. I then originally applied for .223 as I have a lot of roe and muntjac on my permission but I have also seen a fallow or two. I didn’t think I would be granted anything bigger but it seems the firearms officer can, believe it or not, be incredibly practical and advised to apply for a .243 instead.
Anyway, that’s the back story, looking forward to getting out (finger crossed my application is granted) and getting stuck into some rabbits over harvest. Also looking forward to getting involved in some threads on here, learning more about various disciplines and improving my knowledge and skill.
Thanks
