Experience Required Before Fac Application

[Matthew Phillips 36]

So i had the FEO office over this morning to check on my upsized and moved cabinet. :-)

 

Whilst she was here i took the opportunity to ask her about the next steps involved in applying for my FAC. I wish to apply for a 17HMR in order to control the foxes on the land i currently have permission on. Consequently she said 17HMR is fine for use on vermin(specifically fox) in this county.

 

She mentioned what i would need to do now is get some experience of shooting this caliber. I've done plenty of shooting in the past with SG and air rifles so would like to take the next step.

 

What options are there for me? I don't currently know any one who has a 17HMR so that's the reason for asking the question on here. I have ground that i can shoot over but not the license to use a rifle. So what i'm asking is would someone be able to take me out for a few nights and 'coach me' so that my application is more smooth. I understand i could join a club and plink 22rf at 50yards but this is not what I'm after.

 

So I live in Gloucestershire but am willing to go a little further if it means i get to go out with someone.

 

What other avenues can i take in order to get experience?

 

Many thanks

 

Matthew

[Runningdog86 7]

If you have land to shoot over that is cleared for 17hmr, why not invite someone with fac to come to your permission? You will prob get more luck

[Matthew Phillips 36]

If you have land to shoot over that is cleared for 17hmr, why not invite someone with fac to come to your permission? You will prob get more luck

Sorry, that's exactly what i meant by i have the land to shoot over. Other than taking the farmers word how else can we confirm it's cleared for rimfire, etc..?

[shropshire dan 467]

Call your fao they will check the system and tell you if its cleared

[spar123 24]

So i had the FEO office over this morning to check on my upsized and moved cabinet. :-)

 

Whilst she was here i took the opportunity to ask her about the next steps involved in applying for my FAC. I wish to apply for a 17HMR in order to control the foxes on the land i currently have permission on. Consequently she said 17HMR is fine for use on vermin(specifically fox) in this county.

 

She mentioned what i would need to do now is get some experience of shooting this caliber. I've done plenty of shooting in the past with SG and air rifles so would like to take the next step.

 

What options are there for me? I don't currently know any one who has a 17HMR so that's the reason for asking the question on here. I have ground that i can shoot over but not the license to use a rifle. So what i'm asking is would someone be able to take me out for a few nights and 'coach me' so that my application is more smooth. I understand i could join a club and plink 22rf at 50yards but this is not what I'm after.

 

So I live in Gloucestershire but am willing to go a little further if it means i get to go out with someone.

 

What other avenues can i take in order to get experience?

 

Many thanks

 

Matthew

get a letter from farmer giveing you permission to shoot on his land .apply for your fac put on rifles you require with amount of ammo needed.and join sacs.atb ade

[paulus 26]

if you have a requirement for a calibre then apply for that calibre whether that be 17hmr or .308. subject to conformation of land clearance for the required calibre.

[spar123 24]

any probs give me a bell 07773882641.atb ade :thumbs:

[SportingShooter 0]

Apply for a .17HMR, put the land down for it and don't involve that FEO in the decision making process,

 

You'll get it.

[dadioles 68]

Despite what your feo seems to have said about using a .17hmr for fox I think that may be bad advice in terms of application for a licence.

 

There is nothing wrong with using a .17hmr for fox under the right circumstances but generally speaking you will not get away with using fox as 'good reason' for having an hmr.

 

It is safer to put down vermin control (specifically rabbits) and ask for 'any other lawful quarry' which is quite standard these days.

 

Read the Home Office Guidance.

 

If you want a rifle for fox control, most areas will require centrefire.

 

I did not understand why the feo was visiting you, presumably you have shotguns. If I was you, I would simply fill in an application for a firearms certificate and apply for .17hmr, moderator and expanding ammunition for the purpose of vermin control. The chances are that it will be granted with no conditions requiring experience. Don't mention fox. If you want a rifle for fox control you really need to apply for .22 centrefire or similar and that may be difficult at first grant.

[abarrett 462]

 

If your after foxes I would give the 17hmr a miss I have a hw60j great rifle for rabbits and crows with a bit of distance

 

But the tiny little bullet only needs a bit of wind to send it off

 

Don't get me wrong it will do the job but a centre fire is the tool for the job

[celticrusader 78]

All very good advice above, have you thought of going to a range and speaking to some of the shooters to see if you could have a go on one of they're hmr's to see if the rifle is suited for your needs...since your willing to travel severnside range in roggiet just off the M4 in south wales just as you cross over the bridge has a friendly atmosphere and I'm sure someone there would be willing to help out.