FAC come back without everything asked for...

[TattooedGun]

So I've been waiting 2 months for a variation to come back from Staffs.

I finally get it today, and like a kid at Christmas I'm excited but apprehensive. I open it to find that 1 of the 4 moderator slots I had asked for was missing. (asked for 2x.22lr, 2x.223 and got the .22lr but only 1 .223). but More importantly I had asked for an increase in Ammunition allowance.

I had given clear and precise reasoning for the increase (Increased consistency and accuracy for shooting for the County Team in national competition).

The FEO called and enquired to why I wanted so much, and re-stated my reasoning. To which he replied that my current ammunition bought was in the region of 3000 rounds since I got my FAC 3 years ago, and that I wanted a highly inflated number from there. I explained that the majority of my ammunition is bought at the club and used on the night, therefore not enterred onto my certificate, and I shoot upwards of a box per week (2600 a year) However, I have just started another competition (hence the extra .22lr slot on my variation) and will want to increase allowance for that rifle also as it is a competitive rifle in a different discipline and requires different ammunition (again, matched to the barrel and bought in batches).

The FEO mentioned that all ammo, even bought and shot at the club should be entered onto my certificate, at which point was a revelation to me as my club has never done that (although it does keep a register of who buys what), and secondly because people without FAC's would have nowhere to put the ammo they bought on their non-existant FAC.

He seemed good with my reasoning, but followed it up with, the decision comes down to Staffs, I will relay our conversation, but ultimately it's down to them.

of Course, to me, now it seems like they have ignored the FEO and denied it anyway. OR could they have simply missed it when creating the FAC?

So, 2 things.

What do I do in this situation, obviously call them up, but I don't want to wait another 2 months without my FAC as I'm itching to fill one of the slots I've been waiting to get back for 2 months. Will they be able to send out another FAC without me sending this one back? Although probably legal to go and shoot cross counties without it, I have held back from any travel beyond my home club whilst its been away and I am itching to go out and shoot more of my rifles... I don't want to send it off and be in the same position for another 2 months. Anyone got any advice?

Secondly, If it hasn't just been "missed", why do they bother to have an FEO to send queries out to, if they're not going to listen to his advice?



TG

[dromia]

First thing to do is ask for their reasons.

It could just be errors.

[TattooedGun]

Thanks Dromia,

My gut reaction is to read into it to the Nth degree and wonder why I have not been allowed it... I guess I should first off make sure that the understaffed department did not just have an oversight...

[ovenpaa]

I would say ask nicely, it could be as simple as a line was missed off the data entry, I have had it myself and seen it with others, the frustrating part is the potential wait and this is down to relationships and individual licensing departments.

I had an error on a returned FAC a couple of years ago, I called them the moment I spotted it, they said oops and the replacement was with me next day. (Beds & Herts)

[Trident]

"The FEO mentioned that all ammo, even bought and shot at the club should be entered onto my certificate, at which point was a revelation to me as my club has never done that (although it does keep a register of who buys what), and secondly because people without FAC's would have nowhere to put the ammo they bought on their non-existant FAC."

Only needs to be entered on your FAC if you're taking it away from the club.

[TattooedGun]

"The FEO mentioned that all ammo, even bought and shot at the club should be entered onto my certificate, at which point was a revelation to me as my club has never done that (although it does keep a register of who buys what), and secondly because people without FAC's would have nowhere to put the ammo they bought on their non-existant FAC."

Only needs to be entered on your FAC if you're taking it away from the club.

That was my point to him... He didn't appear to agree, although I am not always the most articulate person when explaining over the phone, but he agreed that the way we work is commonplace.

[Tony-c]

What ammo allowance did you ask for. Your usage is very low.
I eventually got 3000 .22lr allowance but i go through 12 to 14k a year.
I just explained that the stock 1000 or 1200 figure wasnt much use.
Bisley weekend for example its easy to do 800 rounds of .22

[TattooedGun]

I asked for 5k.

Enough to get 2 separate batches matched to 2 separate rifles with Eley/Lapua (I've heard most will only let you buy from 2500 when buying a batch).

Ammunition explained above does not include that which feeds my HK of which I might put 1-2k rounds through a year.

This year I have tasked myself with much more shooting, so I intend to do Bisley Weekend (or the week, depending on time off!) as well as to push myself to shoot more regularly in all disciplines. As I stated above, I'm currently shooting for the county in indoor 25 yard. I'd like to push my outdoor again this year, which I haven't done for a couple of years, and try to be competitive in outdoor disciplines. All of which requires good, consistent ammunition to achieve the very top scores.

I think my current average is around 98.7/100 in benchrest and around 96 in 25 yard TR...

It's not X-class by any stretch, but you'll notice those that shoot at that level have batch tested ammunition, and well, any advantage I can glean... Just need to convince mr FEO...

[HALODIN]

There were a few mistakes on my FAC when I applied for my variation, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. 5K seems like quite a lot, if they say no I'm sure they'd be open to negotiation. I was getting through 200-300 .22LR a week and Northants gave me 3K .22LR.

[TattooedGun]

We'll see how I get on...

I know personally a few members at my club with 5k on ticket, and to be honest, I thought it was a standard amount, but seeing you guys it seems not.

I can't see how they can realistically say some people can have it, and others can't when I show exactly the same necessity as those who have it.

If I have more to shoot, I'll be more inclined to shoot it, and my number shot will increase exponentially.

It'll increase a tonne once I've got my new rifle ordered up and delivered too, which thankfully was added onto my ticket...