The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Having trawled hundreds of posts on this and other forums, having scoured the internet trying to get something with a date within this decade, can someone PLEASE point me in the direction of or better still just tell me, What are the regulations regarding home reloading/hand loading? or is it something that anyone can do when they qualify for an FAC or does the possibility of home loading have to be stipulated on a FAC application?

As soon as you've got your fac and the relevant authority to posses the ammo...…...bang on.

Nothing specified on ticket.

What about the storage of powder and primers?

Plumose wrote:What about the storage of powder and primers?

I don't think there are any specific regulations apart from common sense.
Not keeping primers and powder together; not keeping pots of powder in the cupboard over the cooker, etc.

Plumose wrote:What about the storage of powder and primers?

HSE Explosives regs cover storage of powder. Exemptions from explosives licensing apply for qualifying handloaders up to certain limits (and the NEQ of primers should be counted towards this). There is guidance on how nitro powder may be stored, but some firearms licensing authorities have been requiring full compliance with the guidance. Technically an FAC is required to acquire powder under the explosives regs, and to acquire primers under the Violent Crime Reduction Act.

In addition, my FEO is keen to see that I continue to have a reason to have my firearms so I keep records of bullets and powder that I buy. Not that hard really and when it comes to renewal time and there's no ammo purchase entries for certain calibres on my old FAC, I can still provide evidence of 'usage'.

Not a regulation of course.....

Madhatter wrote:Having trawled hundreds of posts on this and other forums, having scoured the internet trying to get something with a date within this decade, can someone PLEASE point me in the direction of or better still just tell me, What are the regulations regarding home reloading/hand loading? or is it something that anyone can do when they qualify for an FAC or does the possibility of home loading have to be stipulated on a FAC application?

It does not have to be stipulated on a firearm certificate. Once you get your certificate you can buy components and re load for the calibers you have on the certificate. I suggest you concentrate on fulfilling a probationary period and becoming a member of a club if you have not already done so and forget about reloading for now. Cart before the horse comes to mind.

Dunc makes a good point there. My firearms Officer also likes to see what I use.
I'm pretty sure that some home loaders may be getting through thousands of rounds a year but if they don't log down bullet head purchases etc, and maybe it's a couple of years since the last time they bought a box of factory ammo, then it might look like they are on low usage. Therefore the firearms officer may automatically look to reduce the quantity of rounds the licensee can hold, or even worse, pull the calibre in question.

Just a thought.....

SeaMonkey wrote:Dunc makes a good point there. My firearms Officer also likes to see what I use.
I'm pretty sure that some home loaders may be getting through thousands of rounds a year but if they don't log down bullet head purchases etc, and maybe it's a couple of years since the last time they bought a box of factory ammo, then it might look like they are on low usage. Therefore the firearms officer may automatically look to reduce the quantity of rounds the licensee can hold, or even worse, pull the calibre in question.

Just a thought.....

Whats a bullet head don,t you mean bullets the head of a round is the base of the case.

But whatever it's at least ten years since I bought any factory ammo for any of my full bore rifles I have never had any problem with my my licencing authority.