FAC Air Rifle

[DanRM]

I currently have a SGC and i am planning to get an FAC. At the moment it is due to the fact that i would like to upgrade to an FAC air rifle.

 

I have little knowledge on how the officer determines what firearms are allowed on certain land. but after getting the air rifle i would be looking to get a rimfire , most probably a .177 for the foxes.

 

I should have no problem with the land as the farmer of my permission has just been granted. Will the officer still check the land for me? or do they have a log of recently checked land?

 

And on the certificate does it say that only FAC air rifles are permitted or would i have to apply for the rimfire along with it?

 

Thanks

Edited May 27, 2009 by DanRM

[njc110381]

I think you need to read up a bit before applying. It's no big deal really but there is no such thing as a .177 rimfire. There is a .17, but not a .177. Not a big issue but it will make you sound bad if you say that to the firearms enquiry officer (FEO) when he visits you! You may also find that depending on the force, .17HMR (rimfire) may not be deemed suitable for Fox.

 

Do you know what the farmer on the ground has been granted? Has he been granted it to shoot his ground or somewhere else? Usually the ground is checked to see if it's suitable for the largest calibre being asked for. Some forces will go one better and say what the biggest calibre safe to use there is. This is kept on record so if it's passed for rimfire for the farmer it wont need checking again.

 

The FAC is quite different to the SGC. It lists the guns you are allowed to buy and what you can shoot with them. It also states the maximum amount of ammunition you may buy and hold along with restrictions on where you can use it. We refer to that as a "closed" or restricted FAC which is given to beginners so you can only shoot where the ground has been passed as safe for that class of firearm. All the other restrictions apply forever. You get a "slot" for each rifle you want, so you can then buy one. If you sell the rifle you lose the slot and have to ask for a new one before you can replace the gun. If you want another rifle for Fox later ask for it now. If you don't it will cost you £26 for a variation (adding another slot). Be sure to put a moderator for every calibre you ask for too. They count as a slot and you need permission to use one. It's classed as another firearm for some reason!

 

If you're stuck on anything just post it here. We'll explain it to you as best we can

[DanRM]

Ok thanks, yes the .17HMR was the one i was looking at, but i am used to saying .177 when talking about my air rifles. (felt a bit stupid putting that)

 

Yes the farmer has been granted for his land and a little more from others. But i am unsure what he has been granted to use

 

as for reading up on it, i thought the same, im am not planning to apply until at least August, but until then i have been offered to go out shooting with a few people which will go in favour for my application when i do apply.

 

What calibre would be good for shooting foxes then?

 

 

Thanks

[njc110381]

Do you know how many acres the farm is? Is it flat or hilly? How many dwellings/footpaths are there?

 

What you can get for Fox will be limited by your ground and your FEO. They don't like issuing big calibres to new shooters. For Fox a small centrefire is ideal. Something like a .223 is a good beginners centrefire as it is cheap(ish) to run and not hugely powerful (relatively speaking). Hopefully if your FEO is in a good mood he will allow you that on your first application.

 

What makes you want FAC air over say a .22lr or .17hmr? Cartridge rifle are much cheaper to buy and have better range.

[DanRM]

The land i am allowed to shoot on is about 1400 acres, but i normally shoot 540 as this is where my dads pheasant pens are. and the land is reasonably flat with houses right on the boundaries and one foot path going up about 400m of the track then it is open space.

 

As for the FAC air rifle, it was one way that was suggested to me in regards to applying, then to work my way up as my experience grows

[njc110381]

I think a HMR would be the best answer by the sound of things. I'm not sure what the FEOs think of that calibre for Fox in your area, some like it and some don't. I have them on mine.

 

You should be fine with a rimfire on a first application. It really is the starting point for most shooters. If you have shotgun experience already that will help, and the HMR is quite well recognised as a very safe round. It doesn't ricochet easily and the bullet is very light. Once you've hit something the bullet wont go too far past it when compared to the .22 and larger rounds. FAC air is a good start, but it lacks power really. The ranges aren't that great with them and the guns tend to cost a lot.

[liamlumsden]

i agree pcp air rifles cost alot never mind the price of a fac AR a hmr wood fit the bill for u but i cant say how it will go for foxes

[paw8826]

Hi , a lot depends on the land, what you want it for, eperience etc. all of which will come up in youre chat & tea & biscuits with your local firearms inspector. regarding what goes on certificate , usually its what you require i.e if you need fac air rifle & rimfire they will give you. dont forget silencers/moderators are classed as a fire arm in their own right so make sure you bring it up in conversation!

 

rgds, paws

[al4x]

Holy thread resurection batman