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Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:40 pm
by Demonic69
Hi All
This has been discussed many times on this forum already, requesting calibre or chamber sizes on your FAC.
I've requested 7.62 (advised by members at my club) which should cover me for all 7.62 rifles, in theory, though many have noted that NATO would be expected by their local force.
It's obvious that nobody at the Home Office understands the word "Calibre", as the regs clearly say you have to be specific - quoting .22CF as a no-no, even though .22 is the calibre, regardless of the case or CF/RF.

My question is this:
What can they do about it?
If they granted me 7.62 and I bought and AK or Mosin, for example, it wouldn't be NATO chambered, but would still be a 7.62.
But, as I said (theoretically), I'd have already bought it and, on the surface, it was perfectly legit.
So what could they do? Take the rifle off me, prosecute me?

I plan to have this discussion (or similar) with my FLO when he comes for his visit, he may expect me to specify the chamber but I hope not. I'd rather he gave me 7.62/308 and let me have anything that fit.

Cheers

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:42 pm
by Demonic69
300 Blackout is also bang on 7.62, that would be nice :D

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 3:18 pm
by Steve E
It is my experience that most licensing depts want you to specify calibre and chambering. Common-sense would be that you only specify calibre.
As your licensing dept. is not mine I suggest that you speak to them as it is they who will either grant or not grant what you want.

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 3:20 pm
by ovenpaa
This always seems to be dependant on the Police force in question. Personally I would ask for 7,62x51/.308 however if you want to keep your options open run it past your FEO and see what he has to say.

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:48 pm
by 20series
A couple of years ago when I was still in Lincolnshire I had this discussion over 6.5 as I was looking at different options. They were happy to give me permission to acquire a 6.5 rifle and then when purchased add it to my license complete with chambering.

Alan

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:00 pm
by Mikaveli
Cambs certainly don't allow you to specify just the calibre. If you ask for just "7.62" your cert will come back with 7.62x51 (assuming they don't ring you about it).

If you want 7.62x39 or 54 or Blackout etc. you need to ask for it.

Only odd thing they do if to grant .22RF instead of being specific (.22LR, .22WMR etc.). Strange.

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:12 pm
by meles meles
We've just put in for 5 new variations and only specified the calibre, not the chamber.

We did so deliberately.

That is all the law requires.

That is all Guidance asks for.

We're quite prepared to argue that if Mr Plod requests more, then he is exceeding his authority.

He backed down the last 5 times the situation arose, but now our local constabularies have merged their firearms departments so we may have to bite a few more ankles this time around.

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:24 pm
by Demonic69
The guidance asks for specifics, even though they use calibre incorrectly several times.

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:29 pm
by Individual
Demonic69 wrote:300 Blackout is also bang on 7.62, that would be nice :D
Yep. Just waiting for my ticket to come back with a variation for that.
Except...ticket will say ".300 Rifle" because thats what Surrey said it should say.

But at least it will (almost) match the proof house stamp - "300 Blackout".

As for explaining why the headstamp on the ammo is .223.......

7.62x35 would make a lot more sense.

Re: Calibre/Chamber Rules

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:10 pm
by Sandgroper
Both the old form and the new one asks for calibre not cartridge - so that's the authorisation I requested and received from Grampian and now Police Scotland. At the moment I have authority to purchase a .22 rimfire and a .22 centrefire.

If the guidance says otherwise then they should change the guidance or the form, either way I will continue ask for a generic calibre rather than a specific cartridge until requested otherwise.