groach1234 Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Okay well i am thinking of applying for my FAC, i am 16 but 17 in May and so would be able to buy my own rifle, as my dad only has a shotgun license. I also have a shotgun certificate but after going stalking would like to get my own rifle. I know that i would have to buy a new cabinet as i currently share one with people without a FAC but that can be done. I was thinking of applying for a .243 for foxes and possibly roe and a .22 for rabbits. I was wondering as i will only be 17 when i apply is it worth it? as in what are my chances of having it granted? I live in North Yorkshire and have been told it is doable as the police are very reasonable but am not sure if i should apply. Is there anything i can do to increase my chances? i have already done an introductory course for deer stalking covering rifle saftey and so on and can get a letter from the person that took the course would this be worth getting? any help will be truly appreciated George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codling99 Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 i think id ring them and ask before filling in all the forms ,photos and stuff,wont hurt to ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Legally you can have one, what is there to ask? You've already done more than most with the rifle handling course and it sounds like you have good reason to want one. I'd just fill the forms in and get them sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan browning gts Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 do your dsc 1 and that might help you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsportshooter Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Get the application in. I don't see a problem - I take it you have some land to shoot on ( a nice little way to make contact with the feo's is to give them a call and check any land you have is cleared and for what calibre....) - get written permission from the landowner ( you will need to submit this with your application ) and from there you should be fine. I would personally apply for .17 HMR, .22lr and .243 if the land you have is cleared for it.. The feo's may turn you own for the .243 at first as it is a formidable round and you have no experience - but you should get cleared for the others providing you have no criminal convictions and you come across as sensible (ie not a looney - which from what you have said isnt apparent).. Good luck with it and well done for getting practical instruction - at your age it seems uncommon for advice to be sought.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 thanks for all the advice so far and okay well my dads a farmer so as far as the land goes thats not such a problem. we have a large number of roe as there is 2 decent areas of woodland and that was part of the reason i was think .243 not 22.250 for the foxes so when i have more experience i could cull some of them with the one rifle and have been told a .243 is a great all round rifle for anything. As for the DSC1 although it is something i would like to do it does seem expensive so am not sure about that yet. i would appreciate any more advice. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Go for it son .You sound a keen level headed young man . Best of luck Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Definitely go for it. You sound like you know what you are talking about. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 They will probably grant one for the rimfires, as for the centrefires they may just put a mentor condition on it for a little while, no biggie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Okay well with the rimfire riffles which do you think i should go for if i do apply .17hmr or .22? is there a difference to what i could shoot with them? and also do i need to specify that i wish to have i silencer for the rimfires? George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignoel Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 the 17hmr i found to strong for rabbit as the chap in the shop said soup in a bag 22 rimmi spot on for rabbit 17hmr and 22 rimmi are both capable of doing fox at close quarter's for a clean kill. but they dont like giveing 22 for fox . on the app you must state you want mods for both if you require them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Regarding the rimfires, what is the land like where you'll be shooting? Flat and open? Plenty of hedges/cover and banks? HMR is much safer on flat ground and is better in open conditions where you need to take shots past 100 yards. .22lr is much cheaper to feed but is limited to 80 yards or so for easy shooting. It also ricochets like crazy on flat ground! If you have good cover to stalk up close and some decent banks to give a good angle of backstop though it is great. You'll never use a more quiet gun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Biggest problem with .22lr is the 40 grains of lead usually remain intact after passing through bunnies - so it skips on till it hits something substantial enough to retain it - or it runs out of energy. 17 hmr usually breaks up if it meets something moderatly substantial and moist - shoot pop bottles with liquid in and see what I mean. For Centrefire the FEO will be cautious about allowing someone with little or no fac experience have such a potent round as the .243 at the outset. A smaller or more moderate round might pave the way to a bigger centrefire - so perhaps ask for a .22lr and maybe a .22 Hornet - which is fox legal everywhere but sensible enough for rabbit, has reasonable costs for reloading, and is much more "passable" for a first time FAC applicant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 The chances of being granted a FAC at younger ages, are mostly dependant on the experiance you have, and the tutors around you. If you can prove you have had some tutition from someone else with the same Rifle as you want, you're chances are much higher. It's also alot down to proving your half sane in the interview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steyrman Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Go for it son get that form filled in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groach1234 Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Regarding the rimfires, what is the land like where you'll be shooting? Flat and open? Plenty of hedges/cover and banks? HMR is much safer on flat ground and is better in open conditions where you need to take shots past 100 yards. .22lr is much cheaper to feed but is limited to 80 yards or so for easy shooting. It also ricochets like crazy on flat ground! If you have good cover to stalk up close and some decent banks to give a good angle of backstop though it is great. You'll never use a more quiet gun! Well the land is flat and open so i would be better applying for a .17hmr then yes? and also thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanRM Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 a friend of mine got his FAC at the age of 17 and the only thing was is that he had a limit on ammo per month (not sure how they work that, if he goes to different suppliers). And he had to do so many hours with an experienced rifle owner/rifle club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 Everytime you buy ammo for a rifle it is registered on your cert by the RFD when this is full you send it back then the police send you a fresh one, they can then track how much you are using etc etc. if your mate has a limit per month then when he sends it back this will tell them what they need to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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