whippeter69 88 Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Well, as a few of you may know, I am a proud owner of shotgun, which means i have a SGC (Shotgun Certificate). I have had my SGC for almost a year now, and have had some great outings with my shotguns. I am a pure pest controller, i am not employed, I am simply 15 ( 16 In May ) I love to go out and shoot pest for local farm land. Most of you know that shotguns are a great way of pest control, but most of you know that rifles are, in most cases, are a better weapon of choice. I have been out on many farms that i have seen fox's, rabbit's and the general pest that i have not been able to control with my shotgun, mainly due to the range. The fox's will not come into range most of the time and rabbits well, One shot from a shotgun ( 12 bore in my case) and there all gone. When out lamping rabbits with the shotgun, if I have shot a rabbit, and a fox is watching then this will educate the fox that a lamp is a indication that there will most likely be a bang making him/her scatter. This is frustrating as i cannot get the fox's into a range that i am happy with discharging the shotgun. This is why i am applying for my FAC ( Firearms Certificate). Now I have actually been looking into different calibers, trajectory, bullet, twist rates, ranges and other issues with rifles. I do know a bit on rifles and have had approx 50 hours using them, calibers ranging from a 22LR .223 .270 and .243. I have been shown how to carry a rifle, how to load the rifle in the field ( Finger away from the trigger and the muzzle ALWAYS pointing into down into a soft part of the earth so if an accidental discharge were to occur then it would be "safe" if it did. I have been shown what is a safe and an unsafe shot ( Tree's and rocky backgrounds and NOT a safe back ground. It would have to be a earth bank with soft ground) I was also taught rifle safety from my uncle at the age of 8 years old who was a high ranking member of the TA who also taught rifle safety in Llandovery Collage. I will also be getting a letter from a deer stalker that showed me safety in the field with rifles to show i have a good understand met of rifle safety. The calibers i am going to applying for are a .223 REM and a .17HMR. And i shall give reason's for each rifle caliber why. .223 REM I have had experience with this caliber and do know of its range, trajectory and due to the land scape where i live i feel that this caliber will suit my ned perfectly, The caliber will only be used for fox. .17HMR I have chosen this caliber for vermin such as rabbits and crows. I have chosen this caliber instead of the .22LR for mainly 2 reasons, one reason being ricochet. The .17 HMR round has a less ricochet chance than the .22LR. The second being range. The .17HMR has a very flat trajectory and can take rabbits out of 200YDS depending on the shooters capabilities. I understand most of the FAC process, from the Referee's( I have both mine at hand. they have agreed to be Referee's towards me). The closed condition to FAC's and also i understand that on my first application I will most likely have to have a mentor for the first 6 months. I am going to apply in october, due to the reason from my SGC taking 5 months from start till finish i will most likely have my FAC ( If i am granted one) just before my 17th Birthday and there for the day i am 17 i can go and get my goodies, also because it will most likely take 4+ months, soon after my 17th birthday i will not have to be mentored after then, If you see my plan/point. I hope i have showed maturity towards this application and hope i have showed maturity towards the Dyfed Powys Police and am hoping that i am not just a " Kids who wants a sniper" but a person who would like to be a privileged owner of a FAC and under go pest control in my part of the country for the benefits of the farmers and to do what i love to do. Wish me luck guys Quote Link to post
Dakaras 3 Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I wsih you luck, Untill I saw your age Id have assumed I was reading the text of someone older. Keep us posted sounds well thought out. Quote Link to post
whippeter69 88 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I wsih you luck, Untill I saw your age Id have assumed I was reading the text of someone older. Keep us posted sounds well thought out. Age is not everything ha ha. Cheers Matey Quote Link to post
JonathanL 4 Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I certainly wish you the bst of luck. You sound thoroughly sensible and mature and I doubt you will have too many problems. I think you're spot-on with your assesment of the chamberings you will be needing too. One thing, and I may be wrong, but I think that you have to be 18 to actually use your FAC to buy firearms and ammunition. You can have the certificate at 17 though. If I were you, I'd also look at joining a target shooting club as this will give you a great opportunity to get a lot more practice in and to talk to other shooters who really know their stuff. Google it or check whether the NRA know of any clubs in your area. J. Quote Link to post
whippeter69 88 Posted February 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 I certainly wish you the bst of luck. You sound thoroughly sensible and mature and I doubt you will have too many problems. I think you're spot-on with your assesment of the chamberings you will be needing too. One thing, and I may be wrong, but I think that you have to be 18 to actually use your FAC to buy firearms and ammunition. You can have the certificate at 17 though. If I were you, I'd also look at joining a target shooting club as this will give you a great opportunity to get a lot more practice in and to talk to other shooters who really know their stuff. Google it or check whether the NRA know of any clubs in your area. J. Cheers buddy. I have been looking into joining a shooting club, I will have a look into the closest one around my area. Once again, cheers matey. Quote Link to post
3jackwhite3 2 Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 you should have no problem getting your fac i had a .223 and .22 granted 2months after my 17th birthday but i did have the mentoring condition. Quote Link to post
Leicester hunter 0 Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Very mature post, i wish you the best of luck. I hope beer and women dont lead you too far astray from the sport you obviously love! Quote Link to post
Treacle Trackpad 6 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 ...I hope beer and women dont lead you too far astray from the sport you obviously love! That post shows maturity! Or is it experience Quote Link to post
Leicester hunter 0 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 (edited) ...I hope beer and women dont lead you too far astray from the sport you obviously love! That post shows maturity! Or is it experience i like to think both! Edited March 11, 2010 by Leicester hunter Quote Link to post
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