plank06 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Very new to rifle shooting and not really sure of the ranges of any calibres. As in the title, I shoot on a range, which has targets from 200-500 yards, what sort of calibre could cover this? And also maybe get used for some hunting, fox, rabbit, deer etc. Any help would be much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 For starters, a rifle for rabbits will never suffice for deer. And the same is true in reverse. In addition, if you do apply for a FAC for target shooting (as part of a club, competition, etc), then your FAC will only allow you to shoot targets. Live shooting would be illegal, you would only be permitted to buy target ammo, etc. To shoot foxes, rabbits, etc, you must show 'good reason' to possess the calibre asked for. Permission from a landowner who has fox problems, for example, would be a good reason for a .22-250/223/243 sort of rifle. You will also probably get what is known as a 'closed' FAC initially, where you need permission from police to shoot on land, and they are satisfied that the land is suitable for the calibre of weapon. You might need to be mentored - an experienced shot with the same calibre, to check you are competent, for some time too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Targets a .308 will do you. As said for rabbits you will need something else, and maybe something else as well for fox depending on your area/feo etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Spot on, I understand all the permission things etc as I'm a keen shotgunner, I'm just about to become a probationary member of a rifle club. Having shot a few different calibres there already. Really like a Remington 700 in .35 whelen, but I suppose you won't get that on your first application? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Targets a .308 will do you. .308 target rifle ... I saw one of those a while back on gunstar, left-handed too. Damn, but I was so tempted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Is there any set calibres that can't be granted on a first application for FAC though? Would you be allowed .308 first time or is it something you have to work up to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Any calibre is possible, especially of it's just for target. For live shooting though, I'd very much doubt you'd get fullbore as a first FAC. Unless you could provide a very good argument as to why you should be granted it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Cheers for the info lads another question though, would .22-250/ .223/ .243 be any good on a 500 yard range? Or would you just stick to the .30 calibres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Any calibre is possible, especially of it's just for target. For live shooting though, I'd very much doubt you'd get fullbore as a first FAC. Unless you could provide a very good argument as to why you should be granted it you mean like the Deer he mentioned? People get issued deer rifles all the time as first time applicants, you cannot use less than .243 win for English Roe, though we all know that Scottish Roe are just big softies and fall down to anything .222 rem upwards The most competitive and able open class rifle for deer and target to 500yds is a 6.5 mm many choose the .260 Remington, .308 win if its FTR. Like said any deer rifle will be no good for hunting rabbit, unless the aim is to just leave a greasy smear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Cheers for the info lads another question though, would .22-250/ .223/ .243 be any good on a 500 yard range? Or would you just stick to the .30 calibres? Forget 22-250 you will do a barrel or more a season, likewise the .243" though it can be very competitive. .223 can take the top spot though not in the std format. Stick to .308 for barrel life and except a good thrashing from experienced shots with 6.5's etc. That said a good guy with a .308 who knows how to read wind and shoot staight is gonna beat a newby with a 6.5 any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I just started this year now a member of two clubs,i have. 22rf for small vermin and targets not fox. And .223cf for fox only and target. Use the. 22rf on indoor ranges25yrds. And the. 223cf for outdoor ranges upto 300m. got both riffles granted on first application as I have good reason for doing so. Next im looking at a bigger caliber for longer distances wich will be a .308 or a 6.5 cant make my mind up. Wind is the problem and dileing the scope. Ican account for drop from 100-300 but strugle with the wind. Good luck. Will move onto deer in the future once im happy with shooting paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 There's no one calibre fits all rifle, some cross over but that's why most shooters have a few rifles/shotguns. General public don't understand the need for SO MANY GUNS!!!!!! OMG. You wouldn't expect a mechanic to fix everything with one size spanner would you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 That will be Thorpe cloud then..................... Any of the centrefire calibres will hold the bull at 500yds - Thorpe does suffer with the wind, but once used to it you will be fine. I am sure once you have spent sometime there with the club you will form your own opinions on what you would like to shoot for yourself - shoot as many different calibres and types as you can before making the choice. I would suggest you avoid for your initial grant some of the more exotic calibres you may see at Thorpe (especially if our club is there!) - whilst they may seem like fun at first, you ideally need to hand load to get the best out of them and indeed some of them have no factory ammo available readily. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 That will be Thorpe cloud then..................... Any of the centrefire calibres will hold the bull at 500yds - Thorpe does suffer with the wind, but once used to it you will be fine. I am sure once you have spent sometime there with the club you will form your own opinions on what you would like to shoot for yourself - shoot as many different calibres and types as you can before making the choice. I would suggest you avoid for your initial grant some of the more exotic calibres you may see at Thorpe (especially if our club is there!) - whilst they may seem like fun at first, you ideally need to hand load to get the best out of them and indeed some of them have no factory ammo available readily. Mike the statement " all centre fire calibres" might be a little too big a statement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 the statement " all centre fire calibres" might be a little too big a statement Nah, - a 2" group should be do-able at 500 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Get a .308/7.62 and keep it simple don't go off the well beaten path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimlet Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Would a .222/.223 do? It'll shoot foxes, small legal deer species and rabbits in small volume if you don't want the meat. The .222 is a bench rest calibre, is it capable to 500 yds? I've been tempted to try mine at 400 as its a heavy barrel model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Your right about the exotic calibres!! Just going to put in for .50 bmg I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Your right about the exotic calibres!! Just going to put in for .50 bmg I think You're welcome to shoot my 50 first if you like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'd love to! No chance of me getting something like that, seen a lovely .338 lap mag too but just another dream! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Drop us a pm. We can sort something out over the spring or summer. More than welcome. Ill bring the 338lm too. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Very new to rifle shooting and not really sure of the ranges of any calibres. As in the title, I shoot on a range, which has targets from 200-500 yards, what sort of calibre could cover this? And also maybe get used for some hunting, fox, rabbit, deer etc. Any help would be much appreciated! Spot on, I understand all the permission things etc as I'm a keen shotgunner, I'm just about to become a probationary member of a rifle club. Having shot a few different calibres there already. Really like a Remington 700 in .35 whelen, but I suppose you won't get that on your first application? Are you avin a Giraff, Remington don't chamber it as far as I'm aware so it is completely custom and as common as rocking horse doings, just like the ammo! May I suggest you stick to something more mainstream for starters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plank06 Posted January 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 It was an oldish chap I went with, it was his rifle, the ammo boxes were very old! It was a special edition rifle so that's why he was granted the variation for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Would a .222/.223 do? It'll shoot foxes, small legal deer species and rabbits in small volume if you don't want the meat. The .222 is a bench rest calibre, is it capable to 500 yds? I've been tempted to try mine at 400 as its a heavy barrel model. It will do it but its not competitive due to limitations on twist rate / bullet choice. A fast twist .223 rem will do it but again better choices unless you go to the limits of what can be called .223. Give the triple a go at 400yds on a nil wind allowance day you might do well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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