spandit

Haven't joined BASC yet, was hoping to wait until my FAC was granted and not having to use them to fight my corner straight away. My FEO doesn't tend to answer e-mails straight away so I won't know until tomorrow now, I expect. Silly thing is, I was applying for CF straight away to avoid the variation cost of £28 (or whatever it is) - now they're asking me to pay another few hundred to get the DSC1 (and fuel, accommodation etc.). Perhaps I should ask my old house master at Eton to have a word as it's obvious I must be minted? My experience of CF is limited and I am in full support of the need for some training, whether through mentoring or a more formal route. My main issue with the mentoring is that my mentor could write a letter in 6 months saying how great I am, but with no proof of my marksmanship, regard to safety etc.

I'm not 100% sure why moderators are on the FAC - I fired a moderated .243 the other day and it was bloody loud. With the mod off it was much louder, so it does work, but it was hardly the dull hiss from the movies

Playing Devil's advocate with my own posting... Just re-read the FEO's email: He might be implying that I should do the DSC1 course as it's at the end of this month, which is a bit tight for licence issue, although not beyond the realms of possibility, but the mentor condition is the only one that is a requirement. The mentor, by the way, is someone quite well known but he hasn't agreed yet as he's a friend of a friend. Still chasing a couple of leads for another mentor locally but no luck so far

According to my FEO, from conversations with his boss, I need to book and compete a DSC1 course, then get a signed letter from a mentor. I'm on the brink of giving up with trying to get the .243 for now

You'll want the 17 for fox. Go for a CZ452, they seem to be well regarded

I understood that they reduced the muzzle report down range, avoiding scaring the prey

You might find there is no wood to screw into - dry lining is quite often just stuck on with plaster. If you drill through the plasterboard and into the wall behind, you could fit some long chemical studs. My cabinet bolts through the floor too with 4 coach screws (it's sat on a piece of plywood to spread the weight but the screws go straight through that and into the floorboards

Don't use Convey Law or Gordons... Go local, it will cost a bit more but less stress

No joy so far, but still got a couple of lines of enquiry to follow. They are insisting on someone with an open licence, despite stating quite clearly he's allowed to shoot his .243 on my land (which will be happening tomorrow!). Am on the verge of just going for the rimfire and putting in a variation down the line for a .243, despite the cost...

The chap that offered to be my mentor for a .243 has been turned down because he doesn't have an open licence. Anyone in the Heathfield area who could offer to mentor me?

Fortune. I agree with you to some extent. I do feel that people should have some instruction etc. before being allowed to shoot on their own but as you say, what qualifies a mentor to do such?

Problem now is that my mate doesn't yet have an open licence and they'd like him to, despite clearing my land. He said "fair enough, give me an open licence then, I've been shooting for some time" and they said "no". At least the FEO wants me to have a licence but finding another mentor is going to be problematic

I've heard this "wouldn't accept" before but how do I go about it? The land is 10 acres & gently to medium sloped (you wouldn't want to cycle up it) and I was intending on doing most of my shooting prone - he reckoned with a natural upright stance I'd be in danger of shooting over the boundary...

Hi, which part of which Sussex are you from?

Went fairly well, I think. I'd cheekily asked for a .243 and it looks likely they'll grant it, albeit with a mentoring condition. Now, I know BASC are opposed to any conditions but I feel this one is fair enough. However, I asked my mate (one of my referees) to mentor me, which he was fine with. He sent an email off to the FEO and forwarded the reply - looks like they're asking for mentoring for rimfire too, which I'm less thrilled about. At least I wasn't swayed when he suggested FAC air but he also implied I'd need to shoot from a high seat for all calibres. It's a start and not a "no", which is the main thing. He was happy with cabinet anyway (didn't try to pull it off the wall - in fact, he asked if it was bolted to the wall or just held there by weight alone) and did mention any legal quarry so the magpies' days are limited...

I wonder if it was the damaged safe I sent back?

Was wondering why the police hadn't called to talk about my FAC application. Turns out I hadn't put my mobile number down & the number I'd stated has been disconnected. They eventually traced me through a call I'd made a while ago... Anyway, he's coming to chat next week...

Can you post details of the silicone moulding stuff you use? I think you'd be better off trying to cast with wicks in situ. If you stiffen them with some melted wax, you could poke them through a small hole in the mould and have enough sticking out to make sure they're vertical, if that makes sense

I nearly resorted to chemical fastenings but managed to get the expanding ones tight in the end. Just a shame there weren't more fixing holes on the back. Regarding security, don't know why an electronic one is deemed to be much less secure. With an angle grinder I could open any Bratton Sound without the key - might take a while but they're still thin steel. I'll keep you posted as to what the FEO says when he/she comes round

Hello, which part of Sussex are you in?

I paid £227 for mine, delivered - new one came today. It comes with 2 fixing bolts but they're not very big so used better ones which were a ****** to install in my old crumbly wall. Had trouble getting it properly solid until I put 4 big coach screws through the plywood sheet it was sitting on and through into the floorboards. It's jeffing heavy so not going to be easy to steal and has bolts every side of the door. Have seem that potato video - have the same safe and no amount of thumping opens it. There's not a lot of room above my cabinet to get a decent swing anyway.

Those are awesome - it's the crimping detail that's unique

My Sealey SEGS8 cabinet finally came today. Watched in bemusement as the driver tipped it out of the lorry so that the "this way up" arrow pointed downwards. Lugged it inside (very heavy) and unpacked it, only to find that the top of the cabinet is dented and the hinge is slightly deformed, cracking the powder coat. They're sending me a new one but disappointed as trying to get new house organised. I did notice that there were only two fixing holes in the back and the bolts supplied were a bit weedy (M8). I'll be using M10 and putting some stout coach screws through the base as well. The electronic bit is exactly the same as my cheapo safe, so not too enamoured with that but we'll see how it goes

I presume you mean the diesel ones - we have a petrol and it does about 25mpg

Well, signed SGC application arrived today so have sent them both off to the powers that be. Now I just have to wait...