njc110381 Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 WOOOOOOOOOO! I just got my FAC in the post. I've got the .338 for Deer and any other lawful quarry on land I have authority to shoot. What a result, this has been bugging me for a month now and I've been itching to find out if they'd allow it. Now, I'm thinking Ruger M77 Hawkeye as it's heavy. I get the feeling this round is going to kick a bit so the weight will help. Any comments on this rifle? I should add my thanks to Glos police firearms dept for being sensible and working with the facts on this matter. The number .338 did cause some high pulse rates early on but with a little discussion and explaination they have made an informed and reasonable decision. Something which many others seem to struggle with! I've always said, they're not a bad bunch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 you change your calibers nearly as often as i change my socks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethevanman Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 Congrats But why such a heavy caliber? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 you change your calibers nearly as often as i change my socks What, once every few months? Why the big calibre? I wanted something I could get comfortable with in the field here and when I go abroad for Boar or stuff that can bite me I'll have a rifle I know well. I've also read that the Americans seem to rate it highly. Supposedly being slower than the .30 magnums it doesn't actually damage carcasses that badly either. It can be loaded with bullets down to 165 grains and to the same power level as a .308 using cases nearly full with the right powders if needed, but a mid range load with the right bullet will down a Roe without ruining it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 Its good to hear some good news regarding the Gloucester Firearms dept as they have been known to be a bit "irratic" in the past to put it politely. I think if you explain what you want to do in detail they are pretty good at listening, too many FAC holders start spouting off their legal rights at the first sign of not getting their own way and shouting BASC at them. They are just trying to do their job and sometimes get it a bit wrong but we aint all perfect, oh apart from my wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 I've found Gloucestershire to be a little tricky at first. I think if you just give up you could struggle to get anything unusual but if you come back to them and put a good case forward they will give it consideration. They certainly don't give a flat "no" like a lot of forces seem to! I think they make you push a bit to show you know what you're talking about. Once they can see you're a safe and know your stuff they'll give you a lot more slack. I shouldn't think there are many people with a .338 for Deer so I feel I've been lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Are you gonna sell that 6.5 then??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 I wanted something I could get comfortable with in the field here and when I go abroad for Boar or stuff that can bite me I'll have a rifle I know well So, a 6.5x55 then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 So, a 6.5x55 then don't tell him that, he might not sell it! Isn't 6.5x55 a military calibre? Some countries are funny about these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 Possibly, it's the French that are funny about military calibres IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 So, a 6.5x55 then Ssssshhhh! Where's the fun in that??? Would you seriously do a Bear with a 6.5x55? I mean really? Have you ever been near to a Bear outside of a zoo? I'll tell you, for someone who isn't used to it it's enough to make you lose bowel control! Picture a smart car with fur and teeth/claws bigger than your fingers. I'm not a big bloke (maybe a big girl though?) so the biggest gun I can get my hands on is nearly good enough! I've heard that your 6.5x55 does a fine job on the Boar. Can't question that as I've never been there, and I can't see why it wouldn't really. Just being able to hit the right bit of a moving target is probably the deciding factor of whether it falls down or keeps running? I am considering selling my 6.5 once the .338 arrives. It will be about three months though as it's not a common calibre here. If anyone's interested in it it's in quite good condition with a low round count (400ish mild home loads). I have my combi gun now and the 6.5 just doesn't get out any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 I guess there must be more Bears in Stroud than there are in Bucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 Well there aren't that many around here I have to admit! But then I'll soon be off to places where they can be found and I'll be greatful of it then! Anyway, you should know enough about me by now to know that I'm never happy. It's already been said that I change my guns more often than some people change their socks! I think you have a fair chance of bumping into one soon enough. Then you'll see where I'm coming from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfox Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 .Congrats...but .338WM? IMO anything over .243 is overkill for deer as the bullet causes too much meat damage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 .Congrats...but .338WM? IMO anything over .243 is overkill for deer as the bullet causes too much meat damage When it comes to roe deer there isn't that much meat on the chest area anyway! mostly on the r's end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfox Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 but still! whats wrong with a well placed .243 bullet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 .Congrats...but .338WM? IMO anything over .243 is overkill for deer as the bullet causes too much meat damage .243 whilst legal, in practical terms isn't enough rifle or bullet for lowland Red & Sikka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 whats wrong with a well placed .243 bullet? You are getting warmer DF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 .243 whilst legal, in practical terms isn't enough rifle or bullet for lowland Red & Sikka Think there would be a few big red's in Scotland that would argue with that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Think there would be a few big red's in Scotland that would argue with that... Yeah yeah yeah, but if they were dead they wouldn't be able to argue would they Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 They look pretty dead to me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 P.S.- THAT IS NOT MY LANDROVER AND I HAVE NOT CLAIMED IT TO SO BE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 They look pretty dead to me.... Hmmm... no chance of cross contamination there then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 Hmmm... no chance of cross contamination there then You aren't by chance in the HSE dept. are you? have you never seen rabbit's piled into the back of a 4x4 or laid on top of each other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted April 19, 2010 Report Share Posted April 19, 2010 They look pretty dead to me.... And anyway.... for all we know they could be having a 'how many of us can we fit in the back of the farmers Landy' contest...... they may not be dead at all!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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