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Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if 243, 270 and 22-250 cals are allowed at MOD ranges, or any "public" ranges for that matter?

I am looking for a rifle that I can go foxing with as well as shoot on the ranges that the gun club I have just joined.

I have been told the the 22-250 has too higher MV for most ranges (so where do you zero your rifle).

I would have been happy with a 17hmr but I have read that Essex Police don't like 17hmr for foxing but Devon and Cornwall Police encourage it.

Thx Eddie

The .243 and 22-250 can be a bit iffy with lighter bullets as they can comfortably exceed the MoD maximum MV of 1000m/s which is 3,280fps. Some ranges will not allow it regardless of what you say and some are OK about it as long as you can prove you do not exceed the maximum MV. Really it is down to the individual club and RCO before you even take such a rifle onto the firing point. Even the .270 can have its issues with lighter bullets.

Thank you ovenpaa

I don't understand the logic, is this down to the potential damage to the butts? because I thought a .308 would have caused more damage.

confused Eddie

Don't look for logic with the ruling bodies; they say jump and you say high and can I come down yet. Load of c***!!!

Most ranges have to comply with military definitions, specs etc.

If soldiers don't shoot it, it's not understood and since the MOD lost Crown Immunity from prosecution, civillians are no longer trusted.

Today you are a qualified sniper tomorrow, on discharge, you can't be trusted with a firearm.

It comes down to the fact that small arms danger area templates are based on 9mm. 7.62. The MOD (as far as I know) have never plotted traces for other calibres on most ranges.

Hence, your elephant gun exceeds the muzzle energy even 'though your massive bullet plumets to earth after 250 yards max.

As dodgyrog says, there is no logic.

Daft, I call it.

Thanks chaps

In the short time I have been looking at centre fires, it seems that common sense has been thrown out of the window as far as legislation and rules go.

Have you thought about a 6,5x55 or a 6,5x47 as an alternative?

I had not, I will take a look now, is the ammo readily available?

Factory ammunition is available for both however you may find it easier to reload your own, they are both very easy to load for however the 6,5x55 is going to be a bit cheaper case wise.

As a thought, is a .223 or .308 out of the question?

.308 is not out of the question as far as i am concerned, it was recommended on the Pre DSC course I attended in February, for
availability as well as flexibility of bullet weight and quarry suitability.

It was the chat with Essex police firearms that made me think 308 may not available to me on my first FAC application.

223 may be the answer, but I was hoping for something a little heavier if going down the centre fire route

Thanks for your time and patience

Eddie