I'm currently in discussion regarding my .375 H&H.
I was initially told out right there was no way I would get a .375 on an open ticket. And " no one else in Cornwall had one" I mentioned that I knew of 3 people with .375s in Cornwall on AOLQ. Eventually the tune changed. I was told I had written an excellent letter but it was still very unlikely to be granted.
I just asked him to apply the guidance to my situation. I visit South Africa once a year to see my wife's family. I'm very lucky to be able to hunt there. I would like to do load development and test out various hand loads for accuracy and on red deer before going away. I explained I am lucky to shoot in Scotland at a friend's place where you can see about a mile in either direction across the valley floor and its surrounded by very steep 2500ft hills. I can't think of anywhere safer to use such a rifle.
He said he would contact police Scotland to see if they were happy for me to shoot a .375 at that particular place and to see if the land was cleared for such a big calibre. Which I was surprised about as I would have thought if it was an open ticket it's my decision whether a shot is safe or not
My .375 is currently conditioned for use abroad and zeroing in this country but only with non expanding ammo! (Definitely more of a riccochet risk than expanding) on a range that's cleared for it, with insurance.
I'm not holding my breath for a .375 on AOLQ when my renewal comes back but we will see.
Though if anyone reading this has land that's cleared and would be happy for me to do some load development on it please send me a pm it may help me when I have my next discussion with them.
Good luck with the bigger bores gents. I have a feeling that those that grant them are going to be less keen to do so than a few years ago.
