My .416 Rigby application has been approved!

njc110381

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Well guys, I'm feeling a little bit excited today. My application to have a .416 Rigby added to my firearms license has been approved. This is a huge achievement in the UK and there is only one other rifle of this calibre in my county! I wasn't sure I was going to get it but it's all turned out perfectly. They haven't specified any quarry restrictions which is amazing - I've been authorised to shoot any lawful quarry.

This probably sounds a little odd to users in countries where you can buy what you like and shoot whatever you choose. Here I've been given about as much freedom with it as I could ever expect. It's a great result.

I have my stock of Woodleigh Weldcore's at the ready, some Norma brass and a set of dies. I'm hoping to pick up the rifle at some point in the next couple of weeks ready to sight it in on my usual range day on the last Sunday of the month. Any tips for shooting it for the first time? I've never shot a calibre this large before so I'm expecting it to rattle my teeth a bit! It's a CZ550 Aramid Composite, nice and robust with a bit of weight to it and a good size butt pad!
 
Congrats! Can't imagine having to justify a rifle purchase like you do in the UK. Shoot straight!
 
Congratulations!
 
Start with the first few rounds from a standing position, just to get a feeling for how much it kicks. Try to face the target more 'head-on' than you would with a lesser gun/cartridge. Watch out for the scope if you have one mounted. Don't worry too much about precision.
 
Watch out Muntjac here he comes!
 
Congratulations! Once you pick up the rifle, nobody will be wiping the smile off your face for months!
I wish law abiding citizens everywhere didn’t have to go thru that kind of red tape to purchase a firearm... especially a hunting rifle or shotgun. Put the resources toward fighting and solving crime.
Start with the first few rounds from a standing position, just to get a feeling for how much it kicks. Try to face the target more 'head-on' than you would with a lesser gun/cartridge. Watch out for the scope if you have one mounted. Don't worry too much about precision.
CMK gave good advice on shooting the rifle. I don’t know if you’re going to mount a scope, but if you are, make sure the one you buy has at least 3.5”, preferably 4” of eye relief.
More than anything, enjoy your new rifle.
 
My 416 Rigby weighs in at 11-1/2 pounds and its not bad to shoot at all. Happy shooting and hunting.
 
Congratulations! Which county is that? I’m still trying to get the restrictions on my 375 H&H lifted in Cheshire
 
Ended up in discussion with the Firearms Manager for Cheshire who stated that 375 H&H is not appropriate for any animals in the UK. She opened up my 9.3 x 62 and said that if I joined a deer or wild boar syndicate my application would be reassessed. As things stand I can only use it for zeroing on an appropriate range! Very restricted on the amount of ammo that I can have as well! All good fun really!
 
Ended up in discussion with the Firearms Manager for Cheshire who stated that 375 H&H is not appropriate for any animals in the UK. She opened up my 9.3 x 62 and said that if I joined a deer or wild boar syndicate my application would be reassessed. As things stand I can only use it for zeroing on an appropriate range! Very restricted on the amount of ammo that I can have as well! All good fun really!
She may not think it appropriate but it isn't illegal to my knowledge.
I'm in the same situation. I can't use my .375 unless it's on a suitable range.
It doesn't matter to me because I don't need to use it hunting but it is annoying that I can't and I will be seeking to get it open when my licence comes around for renewal.
It shows the inconsistencies between constabularies when one guy can get a .416 with no restrictions yet the likes of you and I can't use the smaller .375 despite it being legal in the UK.
 
I decided not to kick up a fuss. Happy to use my 9.3 for the moment. I will push to get it opened up with the next license renewal. Luckily I have the opportunity to hunt in Southern Africa at least once a year so I take it with me then.
 
It's so hard to judge. I think a lot is based upon their impressions of you, along with the opinions of the people higher up in the force. My force absolutely would not budge when it came to the Lott I applied for initially, not a hope and forget it was basically what I was told. Then there's the simple question of whether they want you to have it or not...

A good mate of mine who is a bit newer to shooting has been trying to get a .308 for about a year. He has land with deer and boar, already has the rifle for range use and has .223 for any lawful quarry. But the .308, not happening! I'm currently working with him to put him on some animals under my supervision with my rifles so we can take some photos, keep a diary and give him some support. At that point they will most likely grant it but I do wonder what's been said between them to get their backs up in the first place? I'm no pushover, far from it, but I'm always polite. I had some pretty strong references to back up my application. A friend with an international tracker training company and a very highly regarded Scottish stalker who is also a DMQ assessor, open invitations to shoot boar here and big game in Canada whenever I want to go.
 
It is a little depressing when the decisions are not based on law but often on uninformed or ill informed opinion!

The only way to deal with the whole situation is to take each application and back it up as much as possible with relevant documentary proof of competence. Then just back off once it becomes clear that you are trying to justify the application against a totally unreasoned and irrational decision process.

Your friend might have better luck by trying for a different calibre as you appear yo have done. Any of the 7mm or even an 8mm or something similar? I know he already has the 308 rifle .
 
It is frustrating. I'll get him his .308, no worries about that. I'm putting a bit of time in as my mentor did for me over ten years ago. A few words from an experienced shot go a long way for a new shooter.
 
Congratulations on getting it . Don't stress it isn't that bad. I have exactly same with barrel cut to 21 inches and can't remember it attacking me so that it hurt...neither did any of my other 416 Rigbys over the years.:D
 
Njc, there is a significant amount of recoil. By all means hang on to the front end. If possible make your first trip or two to the range using the iron sights. Once you are comfortable with the recoil you can consider optics. Then if and when you put a scope on it get one with the largest amount of eye relief possible. The large bores are generally intended for DG which is shot at closer ranges. Consider scopes in the 1-4X range or similar. I like the German # 4 reticle.
 
Well obviously the first thing you have to do is take it down to the range, fire a shot then look around as all your fellow shooting enthusiasts gape in open mouthed shock at the glory that has been bestowed upon them to be in the presence of such a firearm! Then if you can let a few of them try it out. Might get some interesting stories out of it!
 
I was thinking I'd give it to one of the more keen members to shoot first so I can see how hard it kicks! (y)

I'm going to put my Leupold VX3 1.5-5x20 on it at some point but until I know how I handle the recoil I'm going to stick to iron sights. There's nothing there to hit me in the face that way so it's one less thing to worry about, and I need to make sure it's shooting right with those before I scope it anyway. My reticle is the Leupold illuminated circle dot. No lines in it at all, just a dot and two rings...

https://www.leupold.com/reticles/reticle-circle-dot-illuminated-11
 

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Congrats and enjoy!
 

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