High Velocity Rifles

civdef

So, one of the cateories envisaged for restricted firearms is "high - velocity" firearms. Given that 220 swist is one of the highest velocity rounds knocking around, will it be restrited now too? How about .17rem?

I can understand firearms being classified as restricted based on length, on action, or on calibre. But why velocity?

17HMR

Posted this in the .223 thread:

Anyone care to hazzard a guess as to what constitutes "high velocity" ?

2000fps ?
2500fps ?
3000fps ?

Some nominal values for popular calibres I've seen go something like:

.17hmr (17gr) 2550fps
.22LR (40gr) 1165fps
.22 hornet (45gr) 2800fps
.223 (45gr) 3500fps
.22-250 (55gr) 3600fps
.220 swift (55gr) 3800fps
6mm rem(100gr) 3100fps
6.5x55 (140gr) 2650fps
6.5 rem mag (120gr) 3100fps
.270 (130gr) 3140fps
.308 (150gr) 2800fps

(Got these from http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm)

Surely muzzle energy would be a better factor for consideration in restricting firearms ? After all, a .450 Marlin 350gr bullet travelling at 2000fps is carrying over 10 times the energy of the faster 17gr .17HMR round at 2550fps.

To which Sparks kindly replied:

Well, the CJB says that the Minister can declare a firearm to be restricted on the basis of a number of different criteria, including muzzle energy, and he's shown a distinct lack of briefing on what these various criteria are, so it's entirely possible that he's getting confused himself, 17, and said velocity while meaning muzzle energy (as measured with common meterological units ).

Sparks

There is some precedent for this though - in that there is an upper limit to muzzle velocity for Bisley range for example (1000m/s or 3275ft/s).

TomBeckett

Jesus!! going from an air rifle to a swift:eek: Thats like going from a Fiat Ritmo ro a McLaren 1:D

I wonder how long it will last before the cops cop on to it!!
ah well let the good times roll eh:rolleyes: