neutron619 Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) Ok chaps - simple question: Last year was the first full year I held an FAC for my deer rifle. According to my reloading / game book, I went stalking twice and shot at a range five times, during which time I used a total of 77 rounds of .308. In the 2½ months I had the FAC at the end of 2013, I went stalking once and shot at a range once, during which time I used 11 rounds of .308. I'm pretty sure that's enough to justify an FAC, but does anyone here have the opposite opinion? Background to this is that I've heard they tend to count whether you're using it "enough" by ammo usage, so I'm keeping a record, but I'm wondering if I need to "burn up" a few reloads just to get the numbers up or whether what I'm doing is ok? Don't want them to turn round in 3½ years and say "no renewal" because I haven't been using it enough. Obviously I stalk as often as I can afford to and I'm looking out for opportunities to get my own piece of ground, but nothing has come up just yet. Thanks, Adam. Edited February 7, 2015 by neutron619 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 I would be very surprised if they would not renew it. I have a few old boys that come out with me and they very rarely use there rifles as I always shoot. but they have no problems on renewing their tickets. it would help you a lot if you could find ground though. all the best and good luck mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Have you used ammo and rifle in the past 12 months, yes. What more needs? I have a farm friend who hasn't used 50 rounds in his 308 in 5 years. Till has rifle and FAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted February 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Thank you both for your responses - they're reassuring. I'll keep hunting the deer, testing the reloads and putting the entries in my log and hopefully that'll do the trick. Just thought it was better to ask now, rather than end up a month off renewal down the line and then find I've not used it enough and have them revoke the slot. It's not a posh rifle or anything, but it is my rifle, if you see what I mean... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 There are very many recreational stalkers who use their rifles only for the occasional trip to Scotland every year, if they were too grass 3 staggs a year they would be more than happy. That with a few rounds down the range to keep their eye in is more than enough to demonstrate their "good reason". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) As CharlieT says, there are lots of occasional stalkers who don't even manage one trip out a year. The reason doesn't change by how much use you make of your rifle. Some made up requirement that you have to achieve a certain level of use is just that, made up. Years ago when we had handguns it was a bit different, there were people who obtained handguns because they were Walts. Not criminals or terrorists but saddos who used to do things like wear a 9mm in a shoulder holster around the house all day or "going to the club tonight so I got it out early" They were also, usually heavily into dressing up and shooting practical and PP when they did turn up at the club, which was rarely. So the police are right to keep an eye on people but you can usually tell them by the hardware they are buying. If the police start querying your usage its usually because something has rung a little bell somewhere. Where are you? If you shot at a range are you a member of a club as well? Edited February 11, 2015 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 As CharlieT says, there are lots of occasional stalkers who don't even manage one trip out a year. The reason doesn't change by how much use you make of your rifle. Some made up requirement that you have to achieve a certain level of use is just that, made up. Yeah the problem is thats "made up" by the people issuing the certificates I think the guidance says you're supposed to use the gun 3/4 times per year to maintain 'good reason', which is easy enough if you're a target shooter or after pests but a bit harder for deer stalkers. However, as mentioned, there seems to be some leeway/common sense when it comes to guns just used for stalking/hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted February 12, 2015 Report Share Posted February 12, 2015 Yeah the problem is thats "made up" by the people issuing the certificates I think the guidance says you're supposed to use the gun 3/4 times per year to maintain 'good reason', which is easy enough if you're a target shooter or after pests but a bit harder for deer stalkers. However, as mentioned, there seems to be some leeway/common sense when it comes to guns just used for stalking/hunting. The 3/4 times a year bit refers to target shooting (13.53), no such stipulation is made for stalkers who may rely solely "bought" days a couple of times a year. As you say, common sense applies to stalkers who often use "bought days" as their good reason to posess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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