What is a fac rifle and what can it do?

[essexlad06 0]

Am I right in thinking that a fac rifle is just one that needs a license to use?

 

How do they operate and what kind of power can they output?

[whippeter94 0]

Yes a FAC is a firearms certificate which you need if you have a gun over a curtain power(12fpb)A air rifle that does not need a FAC is and air rifle air pistol that does not excedover 12 fbp power and if it does then you need a FAC for it

[essexlad06 0]

Cheers - so what kind of power should I be looking at to stop foxes?

 

Also My rifle is a spring at the moment but it moves abit when I pull the trigger and I would rather it didnt move as much what could some body recommend.

 

Price range upto around £300

[masmiffy 82]

Mate foxes with an air rifle is a no no!

Your gonna need a centrefire!!!

[whippeter94 0]

Ha Ha foxes with an air rifle maybe

[essexlad06 0]

So that would not fire pellets then?

[The Sporting Agent 0]

Sorry but you won't shoot foxes with any rifle that does not require an FAC. Basically none FAC rifles are air rifles, be they spring, CO2 or pre charged that do not output more than 12ftlbs; or an air pistol of 6ftlbs - i.e off the shelf air guns.

 

Firearms (rifles) differ from shotguns in the way they are ledgislated. Once you have a SGC you may buy/own as many shotguns as you wish and shoot any legal quarry wherever you have legal permission. With an FAC, you license will stipulate what caliber you are alowed to use, for what purpose amd on what piece of land; any changes must be applied for in the form of a variation. There are exceptions to what I've said, but I won't go into them, save complicating the issue.

 

Most fox shooters in the UK use either .222/.223/22-250 or .243. Velocities and trajectories etc are all dependant on cal. round, bullet head, powder etc etc

 

FAC shoots bullets, most normally rimfire for smaller vermin and cals and centrefire on larger quarry and med - large cals. Air rifle (inc those on an FAC at over 12ftlbs) fire pellets.

 

In short, all your spring air rifle will be good for, both practically and legally is target shooting and perhaps some small vermin shooting at close range (by that I mean probably withing 30meters).

 

For more info on getting an FAC or on fac firearms pop into your nearest gun shop and ask, they should only be too pleased to help (also worth a look is the BASC website) likewise with your trigger isue; this may be the trigger pull or a dozzen other factors.

 

Hope this clears it up.

[essexlad06 0]

great reply and I feel like I have learned loads already.

 

""In England and Wales rifles must be at least .240 inches in calibre. The bullet must be expanding/hollow nosed with a muzzle energy of at least 1,700 ft/lbs.""

 

From the met police website.

 

I didnt realise that rifles could be so powerul wow. I imagine they are crazy prices.

[The Sporting Agent 0]

great reply and I feel like I have learned loads already.

 

""In England and Wales rifles must be at least .240 inches in calibre. The bullet must be expanding/hollow nosed with a muzzle energy of at least 1,700 ft/lbs.""

 

From the met police website.

 

I didnt realise that rifles could be so powerul wow. I imagine they are crazy prices.

Thats probably a bit technical for most, but yes. I tried to keep it simple in my explanation, though of course there are exceptions to what I wrote.

As for prices, usually between £300 - £1,000 but again there are exceptions, and its not unheard of for some less common big bore custom rifle to cost 10's of thousands £'s in the same way top end shotguns do.

[JOE BLOCKY 0]

In short, all your spring air rifle will be good for, both practically and legally is target shooting and perhaps some small vermin shooting at close range (by that I mean probably withing 30meters).

 

 

Hope this clears it up.

 

 

 

you can hunt vermin with an air rifle up to 40 yards

[The Sporting Agent 0]

In short, all your spring air rifle will be good for, both practically and legally is target shooting and perhaps some small vermin shooting at close range (by that I mean probably withing 30meters).

 

 

Hope this clears it up.

 

 

 

you can hunt vermin with an air rifle up to 40 yards

Notice I said "probably"? I wasn't talking specifics and made that clear throuought my explanation; I was generalising on fact trying to simplify a response to a subject that can get very technical. Also note I used Meters, you used Yards.....

[essexlad06 0]

would using 17 HMR cal be overkill for pigeons and crows?

 

People talk of short and long ranges but would the 17hmr be good for 100 yards with foxes

[The Sporting Agent 0]

would using 17 HMR cal be overkill for pigeons and crows?

 

People talk of short and long ranges but would the 17hmr be good for 100 yards with foxes

 

In short; yes. Bunnies, crows etc as long as you are not using the meat then a .17 HMR is ok, and for foxes at up to about 150 yards. I use one myself, a CZ with S&B scope.

[Guest JohnGalway]

would using 17 HMR cal be overkill for pigeons and crows?

 

People talk of short and long ranges but would the 17hmr be good for 100 yards with foxes

 

Please don't use a HMR on a fox at distances farther than 100 yards. It's not a magic calibre, it's a rimfire This is my personal opinion, but I've shot plenty of vermin with HMR's, and plenty of foxes with .22lr. .223 and 12ga.

[AJWH 0]

would using 17 HMR cal be overkill for pigeons and crows?

 

People talk of short and long ranges but would the 17HMR be good for 100 yards with foxes

 

as long as the pigeons and crows are not in the trees!!

you cant use a rifle the same as an air rifle in that you always have to be sure of the back stop because even a 17HMR will travel miles. if it helps to put it in perspective; a bullet from a standard centrefire rifle at 35 degrees will travel over 4000m.

 

sorry if this is basics to you but i saw room for error as i dont think anyone brought up the point

 

i agree, the maximum distance for shooting a fox with a 17HMR should be 100yds and ideally placed at the head or neck

 

On another note, John through my own inexperience ive never heard of anyone shooting a fox with a 22lr could you please tell me at what kind of distance it would be taken etc. and how it compares to to the 17HMR on foxing??

 

Regards

Alex