Shotgun cert

[liftboy1 0]

Hi all, I applied for my sgc a few months ago, I had the cabinet check about 3 weeks ago, they have taken the money from my account, but still no cert has come, I have put a deposit on my gun, but I just wish I could just go and get it. I have also aquired about 500-600 acres of farm, with plenty of foxes on it, What is involved with applying for a rifle?

[adam scott 1]

i have been in a very simular position. dont worry your sgc will be with u in a matter of days! mine took roughly 3 weeks, it all depends how busy they are. but i was goin out of my head waitin for it! they have taken the money and aslong as the officer who came to c you did not find anythin wrong with you on there police check you will be fine! anyone who has ever done anything wrong will be on a file with the police. i'm talking so much as a speeding ticket. he would have told you when he met you.

 

i have shot one fox with my shotgun and recently have been out rabbiting with a rifle a few time's it is a far more effective method of epest controll when it comes to rabbits and foxes! i will apply for my fac soon.

what i will say is u need alot of land and landowners to sighn your application form. it also helps if u have been out with someone who own's rifles to practise shots and backstops. what is safe and what is not if u get me.

 

i have 2000 acres to shot at my will and only now am i thinkin of applying for a fac. so fingers crossed.

 

atb mate

[liftboy1 0]

I live in the back of beyond in wales and I get on with a lot of farmers so that should be ok, my pal shoots deer and he said I will need a rifle, I have gone from ferreting to guns and dogs. What is the easiset and best rifle type to apply for? whats the difference? Rimfire? centrefire? And the police said that there was no problem with the sgc.

[adam scott 1]

i think someone else better answer you questions buddy.

 

i am only just getting into rifle shoting. have only ever been a shotgunner. some of the questions u ask i would like to know myself.

 

i'm not sure what rifle u would get for foxes. but for rabbits i shall be getting a .22 + mod for stealth and a .17+mod for range.

 

so when it comes to applying for the rifles u can put in for what u want and what would suit the job best! it wont cost anymore. i will put in for both. dont have to buy one strate away. the only thing that does cost is a vareation after u have your licence.

[adam scott 1]

the definition of a rimfire or a centerfire rifle cartrage.

 

centerfire = haveing the primer at the center of the base of the cartrage. (like a shotgun cartrage)

 

rimfire = have the primer around the rim of the baseof the cartrage.

[liftboy1 0]

ok cheers, always wondered the difference.

[matt_hooks 188]

And as for the question "which rifle/caliber should I buy, therein lies page upon page of discussion, debate and differing opinions. Ask 100 shooters which rifle is best for which job, and you'll likely get 101 different answers!

 

For rabbits, a .22LR (rimfire .22 rifle) fed with subsonic ammunition and with a sound moderator is probably the most popular tool, and for ranges out to about 70 yards is a good tool providing for quick humane kills as long as you can place the bullet right.

 

For rabbits and other vermine out to longer ranges, the .17 hornet is a popular round. Upside is it's a very fast, very flat shooting round. Downside is it's pretty noisy, even when moderated.

 

For foxes, most people would agree that a .22 centrefire calibre (.222, .223. 22-250) is the best bet. Some will say that they happily shoot foxes all day long with .17's, but imho that's asking for trouble as they don't have the downrange energy to do the job properly.

 

If you think that you might want to shoot bigger quarry, such as deer, then you'll want something bigger again. Minimum legal calibre for deer in the UK is .240 (there are some exceptions, but let's go with that for now!) so you'll be looking at something like a .243, which is also a damn good foxing round.

 

So, as you can see, it's all a bit confusing even for those with a bit of prior experience, and a lot depends on what you want the guns for. Your friendly FEO will be able to advise you what is reasonable for the land you have, though if you think you need something different don't be afraid to stand up for your opinion!

 

Maybe find someone local who knows a bit about shooting and get them to show you the different calibres, maybe have a pop with a few of them and see which ones you get on with! If you're a 12 bore man then recoil shouldn't be an issue with any of the rifles I've mentioned, but best to have a go and see which suits you!