FAC Calibers

[Missed_it 0]

Hi,

I am looking to apply for my FAC, reading the information here, on BASC, and other sites I am down to calibre.

 

I will mostly use it for rabbits, corvids and pigeons. But I have been asked about foxes.

 

Now I was thinking of a .22lr for cheaper running, quiet on the rabbits.

 

FAC Air to take pigeons on the roost, and because it will be safer on a couple of the shoots.

 

Then put a slot in for a .204 for corvids, long rabbits and occasional foxes probably less than 10 a years.

 

I say this because I believe .17 is frowned upon for foxes, and the other two I understand.

I thought the .204 would make a good compromise have I got this right? It probably wouldn't fire that many rounds a year, how much is ammunition for this gun against say a .222 or .223?

 

I want to make sure I put in for the right slots and don't have to have to mess around too much.

 

I was thinking of going to the range and seeing if I can try out some of the calibres ones I get my FAC.

[Fisheruk 1]

.223 for the fox, if you have permission over suitable land. They may be a bit iffy about giving you a 223 centrefire straight away and may want you to cut your teeth on rimmys for a couple of years. In which case go for a 17hmr which will do the longer range things the .22lr will not touch. ATB

[Missed_it 0]

Thanks, I will get have a word with my local officer and get it off, I would be happy with air rifles and a .22lr for 99% of my shooting, and the land I shoot has already been passed for it.

 

I was just thinking of knocking over the corvids and odd stubborn rabbit.

[jmj121 30]

.22lr will be your most useful caliber, like you said CHEAP to run.. put the center fire down on your application BUT i would be surprised if you are granted it on your first FAC. what experience and permissions do you have and have you ever held a license. Most FEO's now insist on mentors, do you know anybody ?

 

Im sure some people on here will help you out and let you have a go with there rifles...

[SportingShooter 0]

If you have "good reason" for the centrefire, which Fox is one, then there's no reason you can't put it down on your application.

 

It doesn't matter if you shoot one Fox in the five years you have your FAC. The rifle is for Foxes and if you happen to only shoot one then so be it.

 

As for .204/223/222 etc well really it does come down to personal preference. Factory ammunition in .204 you're looking at £25 for 20 or something around that figure and somewhere in the region of £1 a round for premium .223 ammunition too. However, there is a much greater selection of ammunition out there for the .223 than a .204 because it is much more popular and has been around a long time.

 

If you're going to shoot 100 rounds a year from it then it doesn't really impact too much on the bank balance.

 

As mentioned above, most forces seem to insist on mentors to accompany you for a little while with a centrefire rifle. Hopefully you'll have someone in mind who can accompany you for a few shoots and deem you competent, away to go after that.

 

SS

[paulus 26]

If you have "good reason" for the centrefire, which Fox is one, then there's no reason you can't put it down on your application.

 

It doesn't matter if you shoot one Fox in the five years you have your FAC. The rifle is for Foxes and if you happen to only shoot one then so be it.

 

As for .204/223/222 etc well really it does come down to personal preference. Factory ammunition in .204 you're looking at £25 for 20 or something around that figure and somewhere in the region of £1 a round for premium .223 ammunition too. However, there is a much greater selection of ammunition out there for the .223 than a .204 because it is much more popular and has been around a long time.

 

If you're going to shoot 100 rounds a year from it then it doesn't really impact too much on the bank balance.

 

As mentioned above, most forces seem to insist on mentors to accompany you for a little while with a centrefire rifle. Hopefully you'll have someone in mind who can accompany you for a few shoots and deem you competent, away to go after that.

 

SS

how has this mentor thing slipped in, i had never herd of it untill waidman on here got his fac and had a rimmy off me the other year. is it law or just a stipulation imposed at force level or just down to the individual departments

[SportingShooter 0]

It's down to individual force policy Paulus. It's good in some ways that a complete newbie to firearms has someone to show them the ropes but if someone hasn't got one, then I don't believe someone should be refused an FAC because they don't know any other shooters!

[Fisheruk 1]

Thanks, I will get have a word with my local officer and get it off, I would be happy with air rifles and a .22lr for 99% of my shooting, and the land I shoot has already been passed for it.

 

I was just thinking of knocking over the corvids and odd stubborn rabbit.

I would be surprised if you get a CF for that reason.

[paulus 26]

It's down to individual force policy Paulus. It's good in some ways that a complete newbie to firearms has someone to show them the ropes but if someone hasn't got one, then I don't believe someone should be refused an FAC because they don't know any other shooters!

does it not take the emphasis of ensuring safety away from the issuing force

[Missed_it 0]

I have around 200 acres I shoot at the minute, and some more I can pick up, but you end up with more permissions than you can cover. A lot of it has been passed before for other people.

 

I have held a SGC before, my 12 bores are on my dads ticket at the minute, but I'll get that back at the same time, with work, university and other things I am just getting back into this.

 

As for mentors, shooting has always been something I have done alone, well mostly. I was going to get an application in to the range at Kibworth shooting grounds to learn a bit.

 

 

I think I'll put it down on my application, but if I don't get it it wouldn't be a big problem, I have just been reading and searching on calibres, my main point was would a .204 make a good small game gun, for occasional fox rather than a dedicated foxing calibre.

Edited July 1, 2012 by Missed_it

[paulus 26]

I have around 200 acres I shoot at the minute, and some more I can pick up, but you end up with more permissions than you can cover. A lot of it has been passed before for other people.

 

I have held a SGC before, my 12 bores are on my dads ticket at the minute, but I'll get that back at the same time, with work, university and other things I am just getting back into this.

 

As for mentors, shooting has always been something I have done alone, well mostly. I was going to get an application in to the range at Kibworth shooting grounds to learn a bit.

 

 

I think I'll put it down on my application, but if I don't get it it wouldn't be a big problem, I have just been reading and searching on calibres, my main point was would a .204 make a good small game gun, for occasional fox rather than a dedicated foxing calibre.

204 will suit your needs and if thats what you have decided on then go for it, leicestershire i dont think do the mentor thing anyway.

[SportingShooter 0]

I have around 200 acres I shoot at the minute, and some more I can pick up, but you end up with more permissions than you can cover. A lot of it has been passed before for other people.

 

I have held a SGC before, my 12 bores are on my dads ticket at the minute, but I'll get that back at the same time, with work, university and other things I am just getting back into this.

 

As for mentors, shooting has always been something I have done alone, well mostly. I was going to get an application in to the range at Kibworth shooting grounds to learn a bit.

 

 

I think I'll put it down on my application, but if I don't get it it wouldn't be a big problem, I have just been reading and searching on calibres, my main point was would a .204 make a good small game gun, for occasional fox rather than a dedicated foxing calibre.

 

Yep, .204 will be fine for all those things.

[Missed_it 0]

Cheers, I looked at a video on yourtube and .223 turned rabbits inside out and even head shots ripped the skin off the back!

 

I'll get this in and see how it goes.

[charlie caller 3,654]

Cheers, I looked at a video on yourtube and .223 turned rabbits inside out and even head shots ripped the skin off the back!

 

I'll get this in and see how it goes.

.204 is a lot faster than .223 and will cause just as much meat damage on bunnies, if not more, if you are not shooting above say 200 yds a .22 hornet is a super little fox round, and a bit kinder on bunnies (but you will still need to head shoot em) its also cheap as chips to run if you reload, just remember though if you did get a deer in your sights, munty or cwd in England or wales, Roe in scotland, a hornet or .204 is not legal but .222 .223 .22-250 ,220 swift are, so you might want to bear that in mind, good luck mate.