Where To Start?

[Antzhig1 0]

Hello everyone as I recently said on my introduction, I have recently applied for a Fac/Sgc. To start with I will be shooting under the guidance of an experienced shooter who has his own permission and his own rifles(.22,.243) and Shotgun. I have applied for the above rifles and shotgun but having two young kids and a moaning girlfriend it's going to take me a few years to build up to this. I am looking to give this a serious go and eventually get my own permission. The point in this post is should I start with a 243 or a 22? I was thinking to gain my own ground I would be more likely let on to control rabbits with the .22 than the .243 for fox and deer. Eventually I am hoping to get permission for both but I understand it's a slow process and would be grateful of any advice you could give! Thanks again

[shropshire dan 467]

.22 all the way mate. Perfect for bunnies, rats, pigeon, crow, magpie and even fox buddy. Cheap and cheerful shoot till your hearts content plenty of practice and it'll show your feo your a responsible fac owner

[Antzhig1 0]

That's been my way of thinking for a few weeks dan but I'm the type of guy who likes to hear others opinions, I sent my application away 6 weeks ago, from talking to a few guys up my way I've been told to expect a wait of at least 4 months, gives me plenty of time to get my gear purchased and ready to go!

[walshie 2,804]

I agree with Dan. The 22lr is a versatile little gun that most (if not all) of us started out with. And at less than 10p a round instead of £1+ it's a cheap way to get into shooting before moving up to a centrefire.

[sussex 5,777]

Same as the lads above , .22 ...something along the lines of a cz will give you years of use , reliable as it gets & cheap to run ..good luck with whatever you choose ..

[Deker 3,478]

.22LR

 

Great calibre and incredibly versatile!

 

[bilbobagins 92]

To be honest it mite be easier to to get your FAC ticket for a 22 rimmy than centre fire and it all depends on your land assuming you have some if you don't have permission you mite struggle to get a ticket

[Rowan 308]

Definitely .22lr , you'll love it mate .

[Antzhig1 0]

I have decided to get a .22 lr to start with, have already spoke to the landowner where my dad's friend has the permission and he said I could shoot on his land no problem, his land covers my dad's friends ticket and he has .22 .243 and shotguns so there shouldn't be a problem. The gun that has really caught my eye is the anschutz 1417 with the thumbhole stock, I know it's a bit more expensive than other rifles but if I buy this rifle it will do me for a lifetime.

[Antzhig1 0]

Another thing, my dad knows a few people who have permission to shoot at different locations (other than the one who's agreed to help me out), am I right in saying you must have written permission on your face before you can shoot on the land?

[Alsone 789]

Just to stir the pot a little, don't discount .17 Hornet (CF) if you intend to go after fox at medium range - upper limit for fox for a novice with .22 LR is around 40yds (and HO guidelines say no grant for fox except to experienced shooters for short range use and use around buildings). Some experienced shooters do use them out to 80yds. Only consideration here is risk of injury to the animal and prosecution if you do injure through excess range, and it's seen and reported. Plus no-one who shoots should ever take risks with wounding, a conscience should come with the territory.

 

The correct calibre for you ultimately is going to come down to considerations of:

 

1. Numbers of bunnies you intend to shoot / have on your permission (affects cost)

 

2. Your pocket (!) as ammo costs vary

 

3. Range

 

4. If shooting for the pot, whether you want the additional accuracy burden of head shooting or would prefer to start off with the larger target of the body on bunnies

 

5. Noise

 

6. What you can prove good reason for and what the land is conditioned for

 

One other possibility is .17HMR although as you've probably read, there are some ammo issues.

 

A .22LR is a good novice start, but if you intend to shoot fox, a .17 maybe a better round for that purpose at the compromise of being on the overpowered side for the bunnies.

[Bigad 136]

22 cheap rounds i love my 22 with subsonic rounds the bunnys don't as they don't hear the shots as the bunny next to them rolls over

 

Here is my cz did a little vid to show how silent it was

 

https://youtu.be/pugM8rclmao

[goldfinger 135]

Cz .22 all the way mate very quite cheap as chips perfect bunny basher and a very enjoyable calibre to shoot.

[toxo 160]

have already spoke to the landowner where my dad's friend has the permission and he said I could shoot on his land no problem, his land covers my dad's friends ticket and he has .22 .243 and shotguns so there shouldn't be a problem.

Not good form to go to the landowner behind your dads friends back. Your dads friend might not be your friend for much longer. Any negotiations should be done through your dads friend.

[shropshire dan 467]

He may have had permission off his dad's friend to ask the landowner. But if he hasn't consulted his dad's friend it is definitely the wrong thing to do and wouldn't go telling to many people on here. It is the worst feeling in the world when someone you thought you could trust goes behind your back and gets on land you shoot.