Rules for FAC air rifles.

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Willgriff

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I'm looking into getting an air rifle for ratting. I have a .22lr but am worried about ricochet etc so figured a air rifle would be more sensible.

I don't know much about the rules of buying an FAC air rifles, and all I can find online is that "you need an FAC"...well, sure, but are they like full bore rifles in that you need each specific calibre and how many you're able to own listed? Or is just having an FAC enough?

I have .22lr, .222, .223 and .308 on my ticket, so I'm sure I won't struggle to get a .22 FAC air rifle. Just want to know if it's necessary to get an alteration.

Cheers!
 
Exactly the same rules as for your existing rimfire and centrefire rifles.
In the field, the usual back-stop rules also apply, and you will get ricochets from hard surfaces, especially if you use slugs. A sub-12 air rifle is a better choice, as it will offer you a wider range of safe shots. Why not get one first and see if it meets your needs? It probably will.
 
An FAC air rifle is governed simply by the fact of being over the rule of 12 ft lb, Some FAC rifles can be adjusted to treble or more and need to be on your certificate as a firearm.

BC.
 
Sub 12 for most ratting situations IMO. You can leave it in your car with fewer concerns (say you're going ratting after work etc)- plus you don't have to be as concerned about pass through etc.

22 works better IMO but they both work if you put the pellet in the perfect place- it's just the 22 is slightly more forgiving if the shot placement isn't perfect.
 
In law all guns that go bang or puff are classed as Firearms under Section 1 of the Firearms Act and you need a firearms ticket to possess and use except for

1) Sub 12 ft lb muzzle energy Air Rifles and sub 6ft lb air pistols

2) a shotgun which is defined as having a minimum of 24” smooth bored barrel and if it has a magazine it must be fixed permanently to the gun and not hold more than 2 cartridges. Cartridges contain at least 9 pellets all smaller than .36” (from memory). These are covered by a shotgun certificate.

3) certain historic and obsolete guns that may be possessed but not used. If you wish to use then they must be on a FAC or SC

All other guns, rifles, firearms require an FAC.

Then Section 5, contains details of prohibited firearms which prohibited from use by general FAC holders. These include short barreled and overall length firearms and self loading semi and fully automatic firearms.

So in law an air rifle with a muzzle energy of more than 12 ft lbs is treated from a licensing perspective exactly like a centrefire or rimfire rifle with all the same requirements for possession and use thereof.
 
billy_boyle_2010 said:
Sub 12 for most ratting situations IMO. You can leave it in your car with fewer concerns (say you're going ratting after work etc)- plus you don't have to be as concerned about pass through etc.

22 works better IMO but they both work if you put the pellet in the perfect place- it's just the 22 is slightly more forgiving if the shot placement isn't perfect.
Click to expand...
That’s opening up a can of worms - or endless debate - .177, .20, .22 or .25.

Then you have to add spring powered or PCP, and if springer, break barrel, underlever or side lever.
PCPs are another whole level of complexity and cost, by the time you have added means of charging.

For simplicity a decent spring powered off ticket air rifle is a very useful tool. Look no further than a Weirauch HW35 or the lighter one (HW30 I think). They just plain work. I still have a BSA Airsporter from 1982. Over the years it has shot many squirrels and rats off the bird table at about 20 yards. I put a new spring in in about 1990 and other than a wipe down with an oily rag it’s not seen any other maintenance. Cock it, put in pellet, take aim squeeze trigger, dead squirrel.
 
Heym SR20 said:
That’s opening up a can of worms - or endless debate - .177, .20, .22 or .25.

Then you have to add spring powered or PCP, and if springer, break barrel, underlever or side lever.
PCPs are another whole level of complexity and cost, by the time you have added means of charging.

For simplicity a decent spring powered off ticket air rifle is a very useful tool. Look no further than a Weirauch HW35 or the lighter one (HW30 I think). They just plain work. I still have a BSA Airsporter from 1982. Over the years it has shot many squirrels and rats off the bird table at about 20 yards. I put a new spring in in about 1990 and other than a wipe down with an oily rag it’s not seen any other maintenance. Cock it, put in pellet, take aim squeeze trigger, dead squirrel.
Click to expand...

Haha yup you're right - it was prob foolish of me to mention calibre for fear of it kicking off! 😆

For regular ratting I'm a fan of PCP. Follow up shots much easier- no recoil so night vision not affected. Field of view normally narrow with night vision so recoil is a bummer. No reloading after each shot in the dark etc.

I love the latch mechanism of the hw35. I have a 99 at the moment which I really like too! Super simple and reliable.
 
Last edited:
A lot of posts ignoring the question.

Yes, you need to apply for a calibre specific air rifle slot and moderator if required.

I use a 32 ft-lb air rifle for ratting around the farm yard and calf sheds. Be aware of ricochet but other than that a much better tool for ratting.

Any decent sized rat needs a good brain shot to kill it humanely with a sub 12. With the .22 or .25 FAC at 30 ft-lb + body shots from any angle will be humane provided they go through heart and lungs . A much more effective and efficient tool.
 
Yes sub 12 ftlb airgun will get the job done 100% at 30 yards i doubt you could really tell any difference firing the same pellet at 30 ftlb . Sometimes in buildings i like a lower power than std airgun - running 9-10 ftlb .
CCI have some good low power ammo for your .22lr in different forms the best run a lighter bullet at around 30 ft lb ? sold under the quiet name
A proper old fashioned load for a 410 is a brilliant ratting tool ( even more so with the lighter loads of small shot ) moderated and reduced to subsonic , re-loading cuts the cost of 410 shells drastically
 
If you just need an air rifle as a 'tool' , a cheap Turkish sub12 PCP will do.

A sub12 rifle is (as observed above by various posters) a sufficient method of dispatch out to 30 yards.

.22 calibre minimises pass through - trajectory isn't really an issue at ratting distances - and pellets around 15 grains are perfect.

A second hand Kral, Reximex, Webley PCP will run you 200-300.....factor in an air tank potentially too. Kral NP02 is bloody ugly but a massive shot count.....NP03, less shots - but a great ratter.

New, PCPs are a chunk more - but various places like Pellpax, Airgun Centre and Dai Leisure, will deliver to your door......

If you fancy a gander at one, Neath air gun shop shouldn't be too far from you in RCT.....deals exclusively in sub 12s, and sells Kral. Gets good reviews on the airgun fora....👍.
 
No more than with a 22LR or the like.

I wouldn't because sending lead into the air at however many FPS and not knowing where it's going to come down is not great, plus if you do hurt someone, goodbye to your FAC and quite possibly freedom.

Saying that, I have shot pests out of a tree with my sub12, but there always has been a hill/backstop there.
 
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