1941 Winchester .303

[Strangely Brown]

At the range I used to be a member of we could use 'hunting ammunition' (soft point) at the range for the purpose of zeroing.

Looking at the Bisley rules they appear to allow 'unlimited' use of plain 'lead'.

Is this diferent to your understanding of the UK situation ?

I think Brian is referring to the time when expanding ammunition was moved to section 5, (only a UK government could be so stupid!) from memory this was rescinded back in 2017?

[Alan de Enfield]

I think Brian is referring to the time when expanding ammunition was moved to section 5, (only a UK government could be so stupid!) from memory this was rescinded back in 2017?

That's going back a few years,

Yes, it was in the 2017 Firearms Act amendments that the expaning ammunition restriction was repealed ;

Section 129. Controls on ammunition which expands on impact
45. Section 129 of the 2017 Act amends subsection 5(1A)(f) of the 1968 Act to remove the prohibition on ammunition which incorporates a missile designed or adapted to expand on impact (‘expanding ammunition’) in respect of rifle ammunition only.
46. Section 5 of the 1968 Act specifically prohibits the possession, purchase or acquisition, and sale or transfer of expanding ammunition without the authority of the Secretary of State in England and Wales, or Scottish Ministers in Scotland.
47. Under section 5A(4) of the 1968 Act, an exemption from the general prohibition of expanding ammunition is made for the following purposes:
• the lawful shooting of deer; • the shooting of vermin or other wildlife in land management; • the humane killing of animals; and, • the shooting of animals for the protection of other animals or humans.
48. To date, the police include a condition on certificates as required to give effect to this.



In fact, looking back to my 2019 FAC one of the conditions stated :

"The 308/7.62mm rifle and the .303/7.7mm rifles and ammunition shall be used for shooting Deer and other lawful quarry, for zeroing on ranges, and on land over which the holder has lawful authority to shoot.................."

My 2014 FAC has the same clause and then goes on to add :

"The certificate holder may possess, purchase or acquire expanding ammunition, or the missiles of such ammunition, in the calibres authorised by this certificate and use only in connection with :
a) the lawful shooting of deer
b) the shooting of vermin or, in connection with the management of any estate, other wildlife
c) the humane killing of animals
d) the shooting of animals for the protection of other animals or humans"

Maybe both I, and the range were at fault (at that time) using expanding ammunition for Zeroing.