Maximum calibre.
- Thread starter Skye
- Start date
It depends on experience and showing good reason for possession. Under normal circumstances a .300 Magnum is the upper limit but if you can show good reason to possess larger “dangerous game” calibres by virtue of travelling abroad and hunting dangerous game then you may be permitted to use the larger rifles back at home.
Google the home office guidance for firearms licensing and look at the good reason section
Google the home office guidance for firearms licensing and look at the good reason section
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Stalker62
Well-Known Member
As above.
I have a .375 H&H conditioned for deer - i.e. Red and Sika Stags in the rut.
I also have a .416 Rigby but that is conditioned (thank the Gods) only for zeroing and "when proceeding to or returning from a port of embarkation". Lumpy old round and expensive to boot.
I have a .375 H&H conditioned for deer - i.e. Red and Sika Stags in the rut.
I also have a .416 Rigby but that is conditioned (thank the Gods) only for zeroing and "when proceeding to or returning from a port of embarkation". Lumpy old round and expensive to boot.
With deer as "good reason" for the grant, probably .300wm. I've heard of a few people getting .375H&H granted for use on deer in Scotland where there are thick sitka and spruce plantations and you want to pin the deer quickly so they dont run off but from what I've seen thats uncommon.
For deer but initially granted for use abroad, probably .375H&H but I have met a handful of people over the years who've had their larger rifles conditioned for deer use. Theres a few guys on here with various .416's and .458's conditioned for deer use, but they were originally granted for use abroad.
Granted for use abroad and used abroad only, no upper limit. If its manufactured then you can own it. There have apparently been guys with .600NE and even .700NE down at Bisley on their SRHB days on Butt Zero.
For deer but initially granted for use abroad, probably .375H&H but I have met a handful of people over the years who've had their larger rifles conditioned for deer use. Theres a few guys on here with various .416's and .458's conditioned for deer use, but they were originally granted for use abroad.
Granted for use abroad and used abroad only, no upper limit. If its manufactured then you can own it. There have apparently been guys with .600NE and even .700NE down at Bisley on their SRHB days on Butt Zero.
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
I have a .375h&h for aolq..... there are many others with the same and bigger
Do you mean maximum likely to be granted when deer is given as the good reason or maximum that you might get conditioned for deer once another good reason is established?
I can only repeat what others have said but a magnum .30cal is likely to be the upper end for deer where that is the good reason (although you might also manage something like the .35 Whelen, 9.3x62 etc as they aren't any more powerful).
However, I have heard go guys who have bigger things for boar, DG etc managing to convince their FEO to add the AOLQ condition so that they can use it for deer. The important distinction is that they wouldn't get that cartridge for deer if they had simply asked for a .375H&H on a variation and put 'deer' as good reason, they've established a good reason for the 'big' calibre and managed to have the condition opened.
In either case, you'll need to show the FEO you know what you are doing first, I don't suppose they will give a .300WM or add AOLQ for a DG rifle for a new/recent FAC grant.
I can only repeat what others have said but a magnum .30cal is likely to be the upper end for deer where that is the good reason (although you might also manage something like the .35 Whelen, 9.3x62 etc as they aren't any more powerful).
However, I have heard go guys who have bigger things for boar, DG etc managing to convince their FEO to add the AOLQ condition so that they can use it for deer. The important distinction is that they wouldn't get that cartridge for deer if they had simply asked for a .375H&H on a variation and put 'deer' as good reason, they've established a good reason for the 'big' calibre and managed to have the condition opened.
In either case, you'll need to show the FEO you know what you are doing first, I don't suppose they will give a .300WM or add AOLQ for a DG rifle for a new/recent FAC grant.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
I saw one of these in a Gun shop (Holland & Holland?) in London a few years ago. Big lump of a thing is a massive glass case.
Not even for sh*ts and giggles could you get me to pull the trigger on that monstrosity...
Same here - I asked the licensing department and explained I wanted something that would be more likely to exit when shooting stags at last light.
I would draw your attention to the latest HO Guidelines and the new use of the term 'HME' in relation to rifles and their suitability for game. There is a table of suggested calibres - and a very clear direction that anything 300 Magnum or above will not in future be easily granted for hunting in the UK.
In addition I have already seen some clamp down on existing holders using the above guidance to attempt to remove conditions.
In addition I have already seen some clamp down on existing holders using the above guidance to attempt to remove conditions.
Thanks lads, Really interesting reading, keep it coming please. I own a fifty acre wood where we’re trying to establish young ash as fortunately we haven’t been afflicted by die back and have a good number of healthy mature trees. Unfortunately, or some might say fortunately, we now seem to get more and more reds visiting us and doing damage to our young trees. I have a 25/06 which deals adequately with Muntjac and Roe, we rarely see Fallow, but I’m unsure whether this has the stopping power to drop these big reds on the spot. I only shoot from high seats and certainly wouldn’t risk any long shots as I don’t own or have permission on surrounding land. Any suggestions please?
I've heard of plenty of people taking Reds with 25-06. If you're uncertain, maybe try a premium bullet like a partition or accubond at top end weight for calibre (so I guess about 120gr).
If you need bigger, perhaps .270 or .30-06? Both will anchor a red nicely and won't raise any eyebrows with your FEO. My own view is that magnums aren't needed at 'normal' UK ranges, their benefit lies in allowing you to keep some hefty ft/lbs at long range.
If you need bigger, perhaps .270 or .30-06? Both will anchor a red nicely and won't raise any eyebrows with your FEO. My own view is that magnums aren't needed at 'normal' UK ranges, their benefit lies in allowing you to keep some hefty ft/lbs at long range.
25 06 should be fine for reds if you find the right bullet. Personally I think the need for using magnum calibres on deer is pretty limited - maybe rutting woodland stags or willy stags that continually evade all attempts to get within 200 yards. Also having fired a few big rifles, I find my accuracy suffers remarkably due to the recoil. I get into bad habits that take some time and focus with a normal rifle to remove. I appreciate everyone's tolerance for recoil is different.
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