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I've just got my renewal through which went well generally speaking. My query is that I applied for a 6.5x55 for deer stalking. I have permission to shoot it on land that I have access to so in addition to that I requested an open certificate.

I got given the variation on my certificate with no problem but the conditions on certificate say the rifle is for use on ranges which I shoot on with my club. There is no mention of shooting over land and I also applied for an open certificate for the 6.5 and a .223 in order that I could take up offers of shooting/ go on paid days for deer etc.

The FLO at my interview said it made complete sense for me to have an open certificate and said there should be no problem in given my experience game shooting (rifle and shotgun) and full bore shooting (my .22's are on open certificates as well). Upon receiving my renewal there was a note to say I haven't been granted the open certificate and should apply in 18months! I find it strange because there was even talk of my .303's etc being open but I said there was no point in that for me.

The whole point of getting it was for hunting not target shooting and we discussed this in detail during my visit. I'm considering giving them a shout to talk through this as it's defeating the whole object of the rifle! What does anyone think?

you dont need an open certificate to take paid days. and as long as the land has been cleared for your calibre then you have no problem

kennyc wrote:you dont need an open certificate to take paid days. and as long as the land has been cleared for your calibre then you have no problem

Even though it doesn't mention that the rifle is used for hunting? So in theory if I wanted to use a 303 or 7.5x55 for hunting, as long as the land is cleared for that type of caliber then I can shoot over land where I have permission/ paid for?

Yes that is BS. Sounds like a mistake because the 6.5 should still be conditioned for hunting - can't use it without. Don't need an open ticket to go hunting but you do need the right condition.

Mr_Logic wrote:Yes that is BS. Sounds like a mistake because the 6.5 should still be conditioned for hunting - can't use it without. Don't need an open ticket to go hunting but you do need the right condition.

+1

You should have at least one condition on your certificate that details which gun(s) can be used for vermin/fox/deer etc. In my area you also get another separate one for the ammo too.

While we're on this topic my sec 1 shotgun doesn't have a condition.

It just says the firearms can be used for target shooting, am I right in thinking this means I'm good to go for target/practical shotgun?

I'd be surprised if there were NO conditions relating to it, but theres so much variation between forces :cool2:

Here's my extra conditions from the last time i scanned my FAC, note there are 3 conditions relating to my S1 shotguns