Axeman1984 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Hi guys I'm sure this has been asked before but maybe you'd be kind enough to humour me, I'd like to have my air rifle possibly cranked up in power above the 12Lb limit, now I know I'd need to be granted a firearms licence first, now all I want it for is my air rifle I'm not interested in getting a full blown rifle at this point in time, so what's the process? And if I was to be granted a licence for air rifle use is it the same as a full blown rifle and until I've got an open ticket I can only shoot it on land pre approved by the police or is it down to my discretion? This probably holds no bearing but just for your info I've held a shotgun certificate for over 10 years now, thanks for your time guys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Hi, just the same as for any rifle though you will find an FAC for an air rifle easier to get over smaller permissions. To start with you will probably find your certificate closed even for an air rifle, though some will no doubt have been lucky and have open from the start. atvb Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Hi paul thanks for the reply, So what your saying is unless i was one of the very lucky few, if i was to apply and be granted a licence it won't be down to my discretion where I shoot the gun it would have to be on only pre approved land? Because I've got a 2500 acre permission and there's just no way I'm gonna take the plod all over that, ill just give the whole thing a miss I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) Because I've got a 2500 acre permission and there's just no way I'm gonna take the plod all over that, ill just give the whole thing a miss I think... Well the application for FAC is the same for all FAC's. you don't take the FEO to the permission they check it and inform you of the calibre at 2500 acres I would expect it to be already cleared for some calibres. If applying for FAC air only you may get an open cert for air from the off. Speak to the FEO Edited March 31, 2013 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 No way! don't do that! With 2500 acres to shoot over its a done deal if everything else is in order. Go for it, for just a little effort you are opening a whole new shooting chapter. good luck and all the very best, Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elk hunter Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 If you have 2500 acres, call the local FEO give hime the address of he farm and land owner, he should be able to tell,you over the phone weather the land has already been passed for fac. If so they will tell you to what caliber. If the land is passed for let's say .30 cal it does not mean you will automatically be given a 308. But even if the land is only passed for a .22 CF, I wouldnt think you would have a problem with a FAC air rifle. I can remember when I first applied for my FAC air rifle 20+ years ago, the FEO came out to see the farm and told me not to bother with an air rifle. When my cert came through it had .22 FAC air, .22 RF, .223 and .243. God times have changed. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 The farmer who owns the land shoots muntjac and roe deer when he can be bothered and has quite an extensive rifle collection so the land has been given the thumbs up at some point, but he's old now and really can't be ***** with shooting at all to be honest, plus luckily for me he is a paranoid ol ****** his boys all ****** off to london, and there's only a handful of us he lets shoot on his land, that's only because he knows our fathers, and I just fancied cranking the air rifle up a knotch so I can whack a few bunnies from a bit further away, so just to clarify even if I did get an open ticket with this amount of land to shoot on, with an fac can you only ever shoot on approved land then? Or is it then upto the individual to make the call when and where once there granted an open ticket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) On an open cert you deicde if it safe to use said calibre, closed cert FEO will limit calibre but still up to you to make sure every shot you take is safe, I would be looking at .22RF .17HMR, FAC air and possibly something fox worthy perhaps a .223 or .243 but thats just me it is a lot of hassle just to have a 16ft/lbs springer but thats the rules............... Edited March 31, 2013 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash w Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Hi had my FAC through a couple of months ago, I have to ring the FAO when I get new land to shoot over, and he either say yes or no once he has surveyed the land. I only had 1 piece of land he had to look round, all the rest was all ready passed. I would say the land you are going to shoot over is passed and you will have no problem. But I would say your license will be closed for 5 years good luck ATB Ashley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neillfrbs Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 dont bother get a 22 rimmy or 17hmr, fac air is not much better than standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 dont bother get a 22 rimmy or 17hmr, fac air is not much better than standard. Sorry, but you are so wrong. Fac air has its place as does any calibre. Fac air is awesome when compared to sub 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Ok cheers lads all food for thought.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Hi had my FAC through a couple of months ago, I have to ring the FAO when I get new land to shoot over, and he either say yes or no once he has surveyed the land. I only had 1 piece of land he had to look round, all the rest was all ready passed. I would say the land you are going to shoot over is passed and you will have no problem. But I would say your license will be closed for 5 years good luck ATB Ashley Licence will only be closed for 5 years if you dont bother requesting it be opened ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash w Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I have FAC air and 17HMR, both have there uses on the land I shoot over and the FAC air is a lot better than a standard air rifle by a long way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iced Tiger Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Recently aquired my FAC Air on a 65 acre permission, it's closed and FEO had a look around on the day of the visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Well I took your advice boys my paperwork is all filled out, just gotta get me photos done and signed by my referees and I'm throwing my hat in the FAC ring, turns out the 2500 acres I've got permission on is cleared for right upto a 308, so I've put in for FAC air rifle .22 rim fire and a 243 for shooting foxes and muntjac, just gotta stand back and see what happens now I guess, I only wanted the FAC air but thought I'd try my luck at getting a couple of rifles on there In case I want one at a later date... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash w Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Good luck im sure you will have no problem. I have taken rabbits out at 90 yards plus with my FAC air (AA s510 extra) no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 As your putting in for CF and the owner you say has a collection of rifles might be worth asking if he will "mentor" you, police will probably put a mento condition on your first FAC with CF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 To be honest I have absolutely no intention of getting a rifle what so ever, the FAO advised me to put in for them so there was options on my ticket should I decide later on I wanted one to save reapplying, all I'm going to do is wind up my air rifle and that's it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I was told by my neighbour who's into his guns to stick 17hmr on the application as well, he says it will shoot flatter than the 22 and less chance of ricochet, should i choose to get one at a later date, should i even be granted a ticket that is!! is that correct and good advice or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 PRetty good the .17HMR is flatter and better at range but the light bullet is effected by wind etc more than a .22 you may struggle to justify so many "small vermin" guns FAC Air, .22LR and 17HMR but the slots are free at grant. Some people use .17HMR for days and .22LR as dedicated NV lamp shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 The .17 is a great round,theres so much pleasure in seeing a crow explode 150 yards away when it thinks it is safe.But in my humble opinion the .22 lr will clear rabblts faster nine times out of ten-the use of subsonic rounds,that match any FAC air and are quieter,makes the round a bunnies worst nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 So here it is I scrubbed the 243 off the application, in reality I'm never going to want anything no where near that big, I've put in for FAC air rifle, .22LR and .17HMR, references all sorted, photos done and signed, everything's ready to put in the post first thing, wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 You are missing a trick re deer/fox calibre, put it down then remove it at interview if FEO is not keen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Yeah but you was saying they would most lightly put a "mentor" restriction on a 243, well although the guy who owns the land could go down as a mentor he has absolutely no interest in shooting anymore, hence why I'm left to my own devices, and I would imagine he ain't gonna be keen to sit there watching me shoot when he can be busy with the farm, plus I highly doubt I'd ever commit to buying one even if I had the option... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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