I applied for my FAC waaaaaaaay back in 1959 when I reached the qualifying age, and after starting down the usual route of pest control with a single shot .22LR, went on to target shooting with both .22LR and a venerable P14 Lee Enfield (which I later exchanged for another LE - this time a Mk1V) . Over the years I enjoyed owning a variety of rifles and pistols, for target-shooting/pest-control/game, both here in the UK and whilst researching birds out in East Africa. Following a fall in 1994, which resulted in a fractured spine I had to give up shooting, but after treatment over many years, I was able to re-apply for my FAC (thanks to the "emergence" of Bench Rest - allowing me to shoot from a sitting position). I dabbled in small-bore competition shooting for a few years and achieved a very modest level of success in National leagues, but longed for the banter and the sheer relaxation of enjoying full-bore shooting. Luckily, there is a club not far from where I live and they have accepted me for membership provisionally, and already, the smell of the full-bore loads is getting back into my blood! I have not yet acquired a full-bore rifle - since the time taken to vary my current FAC is likely to be more than a few weeks (this is the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary area...), so I have got plenty of time to try different calibres, and types and listen to the members of my local club - and now pick the collective brains of the forum members here, too. :-) I'm afraid I tend to get on my hobby-horse from time to time (and there are a few in my "stables!), so I'm unlikely to sit back and say nowt.
That's me, jumping into the mix - I look forward to my time with you all on here!

