flash Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 ive downloaded the forms, and have now reached the difficult decision of what to apply for. im deffo going for a .22 and .243, on the basis that those are two of the calibres that dad has, that i regularly use under his supervision. and i do alot of vermin control with the .22 as well as lots of target shooting at bisley. and am doing my DSC 1 soon, when i go to sparsholt after my current course, which is my reason for the 243. also thinking of apllying for a 17hmr, for pest control. the main reason for my application will be target shooting and the protection of livestock. so whats all ur views. cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 If it was my choice and I was buying that many guns, then I'd skip the HMR and have a .223 in its place. The .22lr will do the silent bit at close range, and the .223 for fox and long range vermin (pretty much what the .17hmr would do, but better). If I could use .223 on my land, I'd have gone for that and a .22lr. The ammo costs are huge for HMR, so why not get a larger gun that is more capable for fox? Maybe even push for vermin on .243 if it's allowed, and just get that and the .22 to save some money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Flash it would depend on your requirements and what you want. If you can clearly justify each calibre that you apply for then you have no worries at all. Can I just add that I dont see the HMR as being expensive at worse, i've been paying 18p a shot. Its a handy tool for certain applications and when youi are suffering an open ticket, will get you places you might not be able to go with a larger calibre for the occasional fox. .223REM is a good idea for this to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I will be interested to hear how the application goes. Are you applying in Devon or in Surrey? By the sounds of it you have thought it through quite well already, you need to think about what you will be doing now, and also in the future, as chopping and changing rifles can be expensive. Good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Your choice seems spot on to me. If you can get the 243 for vermin & fox it will negate any need for a 223. The HMR is a super little round and my rifle of choice to carry every day when doing my rounds and it's cheap enough to run, far cheaper than a center fire. Good luck Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 For me I would go with the .22lr & the .243 Win. Both great versatile rounds - you won't need another gun. Downside to the HMR - noise, which isn't great for the rabbits & cost, although Axe has pointed out he's paying 18p/round, compared to .22lr ammo at about 6p/round - that's pricey (x3!)! In addition a .22lr with the right ammo will put a fox down easier than a HMR if you spot one when vermining Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted May 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 gonna apply for it in surrey, purely because dad knows the FLO up there. was thinking about applying for a 223 as well, but would prefer 17 because it would be mainly for the rabbits, with the odd fox. also would it be worth putting 7.62 down as well, dads got a l42 and i use it alot at bisley. cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invector Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Northants police won't let you use a .22 for foxes. I've shot plenty with a .22 but it appears modern police forces don't trust me to shoot them at sensible ranges. I can use my 17HMR though, and use 20 grain rounds for rabbits and foxes these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellier0437 Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 i had the choice of applying in either surrey or devon, ended up applying in surrey, but since then i have been told that the devon force are a lot less paranoid. however, the FLO who came to survey my land in devon didn't seem to be a fan of the HMR. the surrey guy was not keen on me getting any because of my age and experience, asked me to get a supervisor. when i couldn't find one he said i would have to just get the .22lr and not the .17HMR and .243 that i had wanted aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Northants police won't let you use a .22 for foxes. I've shot plenty with a .22 but it appears modern police forces don't trust me to shoot them at sensible ranges. I can use my 17HMR though, and use 20 grain rounds for rabbits and foxes these days. I'm not saying to put it down as a primary fox rifle, only the occasional fox - but I have no experience of Northants Police. Thought I heard that it's now standard practice for police not to allow HMR for foxes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted May 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 was thinking of putting the 22 down for target as well. really would prefer to put down for a 17, if needs be ill take the 17 instead of the 22 if i have to make the choice because i can use the 22 when out with dad, cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 Flash i have a 223 .22lr and a HMR and to be honest the .22lr hardly comes out now a days. the first gun to hand for the rabbits is the HMR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 In addition a .22lr with the right ammo will put a fox down easier than a HMR if you spot one when vermining I like my 22 but I am not sure about that statement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Flash i have a 223 .22lr and a HMR and to be honest the .22lr hardly comes out now a days.the first gun to hand for the rabbits is the HMR seconded go for the .17 as axe said its not that expensive to run I'd venture the opinion that on rabbits its cheaper than using a shotgunon the basis its pretty rare to miss. It gives you such an increase in range over the .22 that it means you can just take the one gun out after vermin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 I'm not saying to put it down as a primary fox rifle, only the occasional fox - but I have no experience of Northants Police. Thought I heard that it's now standard practice for police not to allow HMR for foxes? my mate has just applied for his FAC with Cheshire police and the FLO told him that they are not allowing 17HMR for foxing either, suggested he applys for a 223 or a 22-250, but he has been told today they are going give him an FAC air rifle and 17HMr to shoot Vermin (Except foxes). Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 In addition a .22lr with the right ammo will put a fox down easier than a HMR if you spot one when vermining now i know why you need help. hope you get your mentor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted May 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 im confused was that aimed at me, etc. i cant remember asking for a mentor? im now very confused cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 im confused was that aimed at me, etc. i cant remember asking for a mentor? im now very confused cheers flash no mate i was winding oly up. i cant remember asking for a mentor but the basc might insist you have one. only a few bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted May 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 my dads got both an FAC and SGC, with the FAC being an open license, would he be a suitable mentor if needs be. cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 I would say so Flash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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