I’ve had my FAC for a year now and been using my 308 over this time working with my BASC mentor. I’ve seen reference a few times on SD to using your ‘spare slots’ for other guns. As my 308 is feeling lonely… I’m interested in advice on how best to go about this. I’d assumed that I would seek a variation for another calibre - a 6.5 or a 22lr. But is it possible to get a variation that leaves open a range of calibres all at once so that I can exercise choice subsequently? That would be great if so as I would have more flexibility around what comes up in the market - I’d probably be looking for good quality used rifles rather than new.
New slots on FAC
- Thread starter ABL
- Start date
It depends on your feo. It says in the guidance to specify your calibre when applying. That should mean you apply for a 6mm. Wether you get a 6mm br, 6creed, 243 etc should be up to you. Your feo may insist on specifying a cartridge / chambering. Once you have been approved to acquire another rifle, if you don't want or need that calibre any more you can do a 1 4 1 and swap it to something else at no cost
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
That’s helpful. Do people typically do this one line at a time - or do you ask for several to be put on the FAC as a single variation such that you can fill them as and when? Apologies if I’m asking a daft question here - I’d assumed it would be one at a time, but the references to filling empty slots has for me asking the question
I’d be after a 6.5 for the smaller deer - the 308 is a bit over what’s needed for a muntjac. The 22 would be for rabbits. That would be all the logic/reasoning I’d have to offer. I wouldn’t be target shooting other than the occasional.
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
As said, it all comes down to 'good reason'. For example, if you wanted to have three .223 rifles (for example), one for nv fox, one for target, and one for Scottish roe, a .22 for vermin, and an additional .308 as a dedicated target rifle, all could be justifiably requested if you have a genuine reason.
It's always worth trying to "future proof" yourself a bit when you apply for a variation. The fee is per variation, not per item, so adding things you might need/want in future is a good idea.
The obvious caveat to that is that you must demonstrate good reason for each item. Don't forget to add a sound moderator for everything as well.
In the future, you can one-for-one any unused slots free of charge if you change your mind.
Ah I see. Thanks that’s really helpful. I think I will look for two slots at least when I seek a variation to try and give me that flexibility
I doubt that you will be at that stage for some time but when you have a few (see HO guidance), the security requirements naturally ramp up. I recently have had to shed “slots” to add further items to stay below the highest tier which adds significant cost to security. FWIW
You can add as many as you like at a time. Ask yourself why you need another, why not 308 for everything? Once you know the answer you will be able to answer the FEO with authority. You’re not asking the FEO whether you can have them, you are telling them why you need them.
The number of firearms held is not, in itself, a reason for a higher level of security being required.
(See HO guidance).
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
If you don't use a vacant slot within 6 months Hants FLD may revoke it as no longer has good reason .
See para 2.24, Page 8:
"For these purposes, a "larger" number of firearms maybe taken as meaning more than twelve guns (again being cognisant as to whether to include the likes of muzzle loading firearms). As with Level Two, it is not enough to base an assessment on the number of firearms alone - other factors in paragraph 2.23 are equally if not more important, and regard must also be had to the type of firearms, their potential danger if misused and their likely attractiveness to criminals as well as the factors mentioned in that paragraph. Sound moderators, spare barrels, spare cylinders and component parts should not be considered as part of the total."
The fact that 12 is explicitly mentioned gives FLOs a baseline it is difficult to argue against without raising unwanted friction. For obvious reasons, I will not disclose my holdings, but I prefer to remain compliant with Level 2 requirements rather than Level 3 and maintain cordial relations with my force.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Think carefully about the type of rifles you want rather than the calibre / cartridge per se.
I think an armoury should look something along the lines of
A nice light 22 lr - practice, walkabout shooting rabbits etc.
A varmint / target type rifle. The sort of rifle that can reach out and touch small targets. Needs to be fast, flat shooting, small bullet and able to fire good long shot strings. Double duty as a rifle shooting for on ranges. Cost of ammunition is key. 223 with a faster twist so you can shoot longer ballistically better bullets is probably the way to go. Plenty of good arguments for 22-250, 243, 6.5, 25-06.
A light do it all rifle. This should be an accurate, low recoil easy to shoot easy to carry rifle. It should be in a deer legal cartridge - certainly for the smaller deer. It will probably have a lightish weight barrel shooting a 50 to 100 ish grain bullet, needs to be accurate though for first round hits out to 250, but doesn’t need to be shoot long shot strings. In Scotland a 222 or 223 would fill this for Roe, down south ideal for Muntjac and CWD. 243 has for years filled this role, and now the min bullet weight has been reduced to 80gn it still does for all deer. One of the 6.5mm can also do this admirably.
The stalking rifle. This should a rifle capable of shooting any deer, boar, antelope sized game. It’s the hunting rifle that can go anywhere. Probably has a medium / sporter weight barrel, but shootable from any position from a quick standing shot out a carefully aimed longer range shot in mountains. It’s cartridge will shoot a 130 to 180 ish, perhaps 200 grain bullet, at 2,700 to 3,000 fps. 6.5 at the lower end, 30-06 or the PRCs, belted magnums at the top end.
The above is a core quiver of rifles. You can then add others as needs require, but they will tend to be more specialist. Choice of optics dictates hugely what the end use actually is.
Cartridge and bullet type does need good consideration. Also very much depends on your shooting style, technique etc. If you are old school, like to keep things simple and use maximum point blank range, then velocity really helps.
If you like lots of gear and range finders, apps, etc then long high BC bullets zeroed at 100 and dialled for drops is the way to go.
Optics should match the rifle. I see little point in putting a massive scope on a lightweight rifle. But if you putting together a long range rig on an Accuracy International base then additional weight and bulk of a PM2 makes sense.
I think an armoury should look something along the lines of
A nice light 22 lr - practice, walkabout shooting rabbits etc.
A varmint / target type rifle. The sort of rifle that can reach out and touch small targets. Needs to be fast, flat shooting, small bullet and able to fire good long shot strings. Double duty as a rifle shooting for on ranges. Cost of ammunition is key. 223 with a faster twist so you can shoot longer ballistically better bullets is probably the way to go. Plenty of good arguments for 22-250, 243, 6.5, 25-06.
A light do it all rifle. This should be an accurate, low recoil easy to shoot easy to carry rifle. It should be in a deer legal cartridge - certainly for the smaller deer. It will probably have a lightish weight barrel shooting a 50 to 100 ish grain bullet, needs to be accurate though for first round hits out to 250, but doesn’t need to be shoot long shot strings. In Scotland a 222 or 223 would fill this for Roe, down south ideal for Muntjac and CWD. 243 has for years filled this role, and now the min bullet weight has been reduced to 80gn it still does for all deer. One of the 6.5mm can also do this admirably.
The stalking rifle. This should a rifle capable of shooting any deer, boar, antelope sized game. It’s the hunting rifle that can go anywhere. Probably has a medium / sporter weight barrel, but shootable from any position from a quick standing shot out a carefully aimed longer range shot in mountains. It’s cartridge will shoot a 130 to 180 ish, perhaps 200 grain bullet, at 2,700 to 3,000 fps. 6.5 at the lower end, 30-06 or the PRCs, belted magnums at the top end.
The above is a core quiver of rifles. You can then add others as needs require, but they will tend to be more specialist. Choice of optics dictates hugely what the end use actually is.
Cartridge and bullet type does need good consideration. Also very much depends on your shooting style, technique etc. If you are old school, like to keep things simple and use maximum point blank range, then velocity really helps.
If you like lots of gear and range finders, apps, etc then long high BC bullets zeroed at 100 and dialled for drops is the way to go.
Optics should match the rifle. I see little point in putting a massive scope on a lightweight rifle. But if you putting together a long range rig on an Accuracy International base then additional weight and bulk of a PM2 makes sense.
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
HO Guidance, desire doesn't equate to good reason!
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
But you can always establish good reason!
Just as I said.
The sentence following the one that's been highlighted in bold (presumably by you?) reads:
"it is not enough to base an assessment on the number of firearms alone - other factors in paragraph 2.23 are equally if not more important".
So basically, if you live in a high crime area, maybe shared accommodation, etc etc, then these factors will be taken into account when considering whether a "larger" number of firearms triggers the need for increased security.
I can assure you that simply having more than 12 firearms does not necessarily trigger the need for increased security.
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