panda32 Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Hi all, i am thinking of getting a FAC licence and was wondering what type of first gun would be the best ? Something cheap and chearfull rimfire 22 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sx3 clay breaker Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 My dad swears by krico rifles hes had a few and they never fail to impress at the mo we got a semi auto krico and a bolt action the bolts more reliable and is more quiet than the semi because of the action cycling when you release a round but any 22 should do the job a lot of people swear by the czs which when I get a fac I most probs will get one to go with the semi hope this helps Rgds sx3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 It depends on what your are shooting, the ranges you shoot at and the type of land. A .22lr is a great calibre and can be a good choice, but like everything it has it's limitations and in some situations there are more suitable rim-fire's available. .22's are very prone to dangerous ricochet (off stone, water, baked earth etc) and are really at their usable limit at around 80 - 100 yards. As to the rifle, for anything other than on a range I'd strongly suggest a bolt action rifle, not a semi (semi's are noisier, less accurate and harder to use safely). A cheap but accurate BRNO/CZ rifle can be bought for as little as £150, with a scope and moderator and will do everything needed. Or you can spend more and get something newer, a different make, a more expensive scope and so on, it's really all down to your preference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panda32 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks guys, just looking at the licence requirments. I think a club might be better suited but looks like you need to be a member for 3-6 months before you can apply for one . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Yes, you have to become a full member before you can apply for your FAC for target shooting, as you've discovered that takes 3-6 months. The application itself is quite simple, a few forms to fill out, a couple of referees to sign it, a £50 cheque and you need a gun cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 (edited) Although you do have to do the requisite minimum 3 months probation, if you already have a SGC and are serious about the FAC target shooting thing and if the club seem happy enough with you (and you are visiting/shooting regularly at the club - seen on the shooting logs), you could ring your FEO after about 6 weeks and explain. I did this, with the waiting list in Lincs for an FAC seeming to be at least 6-8 months, he said to get my application in immediately, because it would be well over the end of the three months probationary before he would be visiting anyway! I know some clubs/FEOs may be reluctant to do this, luckily I regularly shoot clays with my target club sec and he knows there should be no problem,but it is worth a try... Edited June 8, 2012 by Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITCHF Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 And be prepared for a long wait. I applied last week of Feb, cheque cashed first week March . Interview mid March, land checked 3rd week March. Still no ticket, called again today, "still in progress" , lost for words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panda32 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 And be prepared for a long wait. I applied last week of Feb, cheque cashed first week March . Interview mid March, land checked 3rd week March. Still no ticket, called again today, "still in progress" , lost for words yeah i guess these things take time. So if i go down the permission to shoot route they come round and check the land ? I do own a shotgun licence which ive had for about 6 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 And be prepared for a long wait. I applied last week of Feb, cheque cashed first week March . Interview mid March, land checked 3rd week March. Still no ticket, called again today, "still in progress" , lost for words I applied 20th Jan, cheque cashed 10 days later, FEO interview on 2nd April - 20 weeks now, still waiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 yeah i guess these things take time. So if i go down the permission to shoot route they come round and check the land ? I do own a shotgun licence which ive had for about 6 years now. If you apply for pest control allowing you to shoot over land then it's quicker and easier than having to join a shooting club first. All you need is some permission to shoot on a suitable piece of land. If it has not already been done, the police will need to inspect the land to pass it as safe for the calibre(s) you apply for. As to the time taken for the grant of a FAC it depends on your force, it can be between a couple of weeks to 6 months! You should have an idea of how long your force takes for these things as you've already been through the process for a SGC. If you get a FAC then it might be sensible to renew your SGC at the same time and make the certificates co-terminus, it saves money in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 It depends on what your are shooting, the ranges you shoot at and the type of land. A .22lr is a great calibre and can be a good choice, but like everything it has it's limitations and in some situations there are more suitable rim-fire's available. .22's are very prone to dangerous ricochet (off stone, water, baked earth etc) and are really at their usable limit at around 80 - 100 yards. As to the rifle, for anything other than on a range I'd strongly suggest a bolt action rifle, not a semi (semi's are noisier, less accurate and harder to use safely). A cheap but accurate BRNO/CZ rifle can be bought for as little as £150, with a scope and moderator and will do everything needed. Or you can spend more and get something newer, a different make, a more expensive scope and so on, it's really all down to your preference. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted June 8, 2012 Report Share Posted June 8, 2012 Hi all, i am thinking of getting a FAC licence and was wondering what type of first gun would be the best ? Something cheap and chearfull rimfire 22 ? I can't give you much advice as im going through the fac process at the moment myself.But i can share the route i have gone down and going through. I have had sgc for over 15 years,i joined a local rifle club who have an 25yrd indoor range and shoot on a 100yrd-300yrd range once a month. On the 25yrd indoor range you can use the club guns anthing .22rf bolt action's and semi's and you can make your own mind up,im going bolt action. On the outdoor range i have used club guns.22rf,.22 hornet,.223 and .243.This process is very good as people around teach you all safty and what you may need.Now a full member. Also i have some very understanding and clever freind's who are also teaching me all i will need to no and let me tag along lamping. For my application i have put in for .22rf bolt action and mod for target shooting ground game and vermin, plus .223rem bolt action and mod for target shooting vermin and fox.Just waitng for a vist. Hope this helps but probly best sitting down whith someone in the no and sorting what you need out. If you put down which area you live in somone may point you in the right direction. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panda32 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 Thanks guys, some great advice. I live in the essex/suffolk area, i do have permission to shoot on some land with a local farmer. But would like to gain some more really. I live in bures essex, which is near colchester. I do find the different calibers a bit confusing, and the ''mods'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 Thanks guys, some great advice. I live in the essex/suffolk area, i do have permission to shoot on some land with a local farmer. But would like to gain some more really. I live in bures essex, which is near colchester. I do find the different calibers a bit confusing, and the ''mods'' If your finding all the calibres a bit confusing, then it's worth having a read of this. It explains all the rim-fire calibres out there, and gives you a better idea of what they can do. The common calibres your likely to encounter are the .22 long rifle, .17 Hornady Magnum Rim-fire (HMR) and the .17 HM2. Here are the centre-fire rifles if they interest you. Moderators are quite simple, they're just expensive cans containing baffles that screw onto the end of the rifle and stop you going deaf, not much to them really. There are different ones for rim-fires and centre-fires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 Hi all, i am thinking of getting a FAC licence and was wondering what type of first gun would be the best ? Something cheap and chearfull rimfire 22 ? three choices CZ,CZ and CZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 three choices CZ,CZ and CZ I've only had my Fac 10 days ish bought a Cz 452 American and can't fault it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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