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As a consequence of my growing interest in historic firearms, I am about to request a variation from Gloucestershire Constabulary. I was going to ask for 7.92/8mm and 6.5mm rather than being specific (e.g. 7.92 x 57). In the experience of those here who know way more about this stuff than I do, is that something that's likely to be accepted or will they want it to be more specific?

It varies from force to force, best option give them a call and ask directly.

Alan

Apply for calibre not the chambering by asking for spcecific chamberings you are limiting your choices and playing into their hands, once you have acquired your firearm that will then authorise your specific ammunition requirements.
I once had a variation for a .30 cal rifle possibility’s were endless

Do that in Essex and they refuse the caliber you have to say which chambering eg 7.62x 39/51/54r It varies from force to force and we are only over a river from Kent. aaarggh

Something to keep in mind is that some RFD's may be a bit more pedantic than others. For example, if you have a slot for 7.62/308 and you want to buy a Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54, the RFD may refuse to sell you said firearm.

So if you have a specific firearm/calibre in question, it might be worth confirming with both the RFD and licensing force.

WelshShooter wrote:Something to keep in mind is that some RFD's may be a bit more pedantic than others. For example, if you have a slot for 7.62/308 and you want to buy a Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54, the RFD may refuse to sell you said firearm.

So if you have a specific firearm/calibre in question, it might be worth confirming with both the RFD and licensing force.

I don't think it's a case of being more pedantic, as 7.62/.308 refers to a 7.62x51 NATO or the commercial .308 variant of it.So if someone has a spare 7.62/.308" slot I think an RFD is perfectly justified in not selling them a 7.62x54r or 7.62x39.

West Mercia tend to want the exact chambering, to be honest I've always had a pretty good idea of what I want to buy so I have always put the actual chambering down rather than being vague.

I asked Gloucestershire this a couple of years ago when I didn't know if i wanted a 45-70 or 45-90. They said just get a slot for 45 calibre which i did.
When I bought a 45-70 the RFD did query it but was happy when I explained.

Read the Guidance Page 70, Para 10.8

HO Guidance to Police wrote:The information will normally need to be specific and not cover a range of calibres or a generic group such as .22 CF (centrefire)

So 8mmMauser should be OK for 7.92x57 but just something like .22"CF to cover .220 to .223 or .30cal to cover 300whisper or 308Win would be right out (although in the past it has been OK or at least accepted by many forces). Metric and Imperial nomenclature for essentially the same cartridge is OK (ie 7.62NATO/308 or .223/5.56NATO etc.).

snayperskaya wrote:

WelshShooter wrote:Something to keep in mind is that some RFD's may be a bit more pedantic than others. For example, if you have a slot for 7.62/308 and you want to buy a Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54, the RFD may refuse to sell you said firearm.

So if you have a specific firearm/calibre in question, it might be worth confirming with both the RFD and licensing force.

I don't think it's a case of being more pedantic, as 7.62/.308 refers to a 7.62x51 NATO or the commercial .308 variant of it.So if someone has a spare 7.62/.308" slot I think an RFD is perfectly justified in not selling them a 7.62x54r or 7.62x39.

West Mercia tend to want the exact chambering, to be honest I've always had a pretty good idea of what I want to buy so I have always put the actual chambering down rather than being vague.

So what does a slot for a 308 allow you to buy?

42DAF wrote:
So what does a slot for a 308 allow you to buy?

A .308 or 7.62x51 firearm.

I have heard of some RFDs that won't sell you a 7.62NATO chambered rifle on that (.308) slot, but metric/imperial nomenclature for the same cartridge is generally said to be accepted.