6.5 Creedmoor update
Civilian Use of 6.5mm and 8.59mm (0.338″ LM) ammunition on the Defence Training Estate
Update – September 2026
The NRA is pleased to confirm that with immediate effect 6.5 mm ammunition including 6.5mm Creedmoor may be used on military ranges. Club officials responsible for planning should check range orders for specifics however in broad terms the following applies:
- 6.5mm ammunition may be used on compliant Gallery Ranges (with an 1830m Limited Danger Area)
- 6.5mm ammunition may also be used on non-compliant Gallery Ranges that require additional controls: a 3700m template or a 4200m template
- 0.338″ Lapua Magnum and HME ammunition not exceeding 7000 J Muzzle Energy may be used on a Limited Danger Area Gallery Range or Converted Gallery Range
The standard safety deviation set by the NRA is 70 mils (see para 117 of the 2026 NRA Handbook: Firers may only carry out actions of closing or opening the bolt (or equivalent working part in other types of firearm) on a live round if: the barrel is elevated less than 70 mils (approximately 4°) above the horizontal; and nothing (except the trigger) is within the trigger guard).
The lifting of restrictions follows productive discussions between the NRA and key stakeholders in Defence. Our thanks to everyone involved in the policy and procedural changes.
NRA Members and Club Chairs are reminded of the Rules and conditions that underpin NRA use of military ranges. Key points include:
- The individual shooter is responsible for ensuring that his firearm and ammunition result in performance within the muzzle velocity and muzzle energy limits for the range and that the firearm and ammunition is safe and suitable
- The Chairman’s Declaration in the Club Agreement and the CSAAF confirms that shooting activity will be planned, conducted and supervised in line with the NRA Safe Shooting System and conditions prescribed for the use of MoD ranges in DSA 03 OME Part 3 Volume 1 Part 2, all ammunition natures including handloaded ammunition will be safely captured in the Range Danger Area
- The RCO controlling the range must ensure compliance with the range orders, seeking guidance from the Training Safety Officer where needed as part of the planning process
- All firearms must be zeroed prior to use, HME firearms must be zeroed in accordance with the HME procedures, see also DSA 03 OME Part 3 Vol 2 Chapter 11 “Practices on Gallery Ranges” with 0.338″ LM ammunition.
- Supervising NRA RCOs must be current qualified
- Shooters must hold an NRA Shooter Certification Card certifying competence for firearm used and handloaded ammunition if used.
FAC Pricing
CLUB NOTICE – Firearms Certificate Fee Changes (June 2026)
Members are advised that UK firearms licensing fees increased on 4 June 2026 following a Home Office update.
Current Fees
Firearm Certificates (FAC)
- Grant: £204
- Renewal: £135
Shotgun Certificates (SGC)
- Grant: £200
- Renewal: £130Coterminous Certificates (FAC + SGC)
- Grant (both): £208
- Renewal (both): £160
This remains the most cost-effective option if you hold both certificates.
🔧 Other Fees (for reference)
- Variation (non like-for-like): £48
- Replacement certificate: £9
- Visitor permit: £48 (individual) / £240 (group)
What Members Need to Know
- These fees apply to all applications submitted from 4 June 2026 onward
- Certificates remain valid for 5 years
- Most police forces accept renewals up to 4 months before expiry
Recommendation
Members are encouraged to:
- Check their expiry dates now
- Plan renewals in good time
- Consider coterminous certificates if holding both FAC & SGC
Lead Ammunition 04/03/2026
The Government has confirmed when restrictions on the sale and use of lead ammunition will come into force in England, Scotland and Wales.
The news follows an announcement last year that the Government would legislate on recommendations arising from the UK REACH process.
The new legislation will introduce a phased timetable for restrictions between 2028 and 2029.
The key changes are outlined below:
Shotgun cartridges
- The use and sale of lead shot for live quarry shooting will be banned from 1 April 2029.
- The use and sale of lead shot for indoor and outdoor recreational target shooting will also be banned from 1 April 2029, with exemptions for elite athletes.
Rifle ammunition
- The use and sale of lead bullets for live quarry shooting in calibres 6.17 millimetres and above will be banned from 1 April 2029.
- Small calibre rifles below 6.17 millimetres, including commonly used pest control calibres, are not affected by the restrictions.
- The use of lead bullets for outdoor target shooting will be restricted from 1 April 2028, except at ranges that meet the required risk management measures.
Airguns
- There are no restrictions on the sale or use of lead airgun pellets for either target shooting or live quarry shooting.
BASC’s deputy director of shooting operations, Terry Behan, said: “In 2020, BASC and other shooting organisations took the initiative by announcing a voluntary five-year transition away from lead shot and single-use plastics for live quarry shooting, knowing that regulatory change was likely. Our priority was to uphold the shooting community’s long-standing commitment to high environmental standards while protecting the future of shooting in the UK.
“The Government has now confirmed the timetable for restrictions on the sale and use of lead ammunition, with the main changes coming into effect between 2028 and 2029.
“The confirmed implementation dates now provide clarity for the sector. BASC will support our members and the wider shooting community as we adapt to these changes and transition responsibly to non-lead alternatives through initiatives such as sustainable ammunition days, guidance and education.
“We’re pleased to see that the exemptions BASC successfully argued and lobbied for – including for small calibre rifles, airguns, shooting on ranges that meet mitigation requirements, and elite athletes – have been included in the Government’s plans, reflecting the practical realities of pest control, target shooting and competitive shooting.
“We are disappointed that the Government has not listened to the advice of the shooting sector on the inclusion of .243 within the definition of larger calibres. This risks adversely affecting around 60,000 deer stalkers and could have serious implications for the delivery of the national deer policy, which plays an important role in road safety, food production and environmental management.
“If the Government wants an effective deer management policy in England, Scotland and Wales, it must ensure that deer managers have access to the appropriate tools to do the job.”
Useful Scoped Rifle Data and Templates
Reloading Powders Update
Dear Members,
I hope this message finds you well.
I received a call last night from a Sussex FEO regarding the storage of both Black Powder and Reloading Powders. While an official letter will be sent out shortly, I wanted to give you an early heads-up on the upcoming changes—specifically regarding Reloading Powders. I will share more details about Black Powder once I receive further information.
Reloading Powders:
Under new guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), reloading powders must now be stored in a padlock-secured box and kept out of sight.
Please note: These requirements are mandatory and there will be no exceptions, as they are set by the HSE, not the Police.
I will keep you updated and share the official letter as soon as it becomes available.
BLACK POWDER / PYRODEX
Changes to the Law on Antique Firearms
The law on antique firearms is changing. From 22 March 2021 some firearms previously regarded as antique, and therefore exempt from control, no longer qualify as such and must now be licensed. Owners of these firearms must act by 23:59 on 21 September 2021 to licence them or lawfully dispose of them.
Section 58 of the Firearms Act 1968 and the Antique Firearms Regulations 2021 set out in law which firearms can be regarded as antique, and therefore exempt from licensing. The definition closely follows the model used previously in Home Office guidance and will therefore be familiar to collectors, dealers and museums. To be regarded as an antique, a firearm must:
- have been manufactured before 1 September 1939, and
- either have a propulsion system of a type specified in the 2021 Regulations (for example, muzzle loaders, pin-fire or needle-fire) or the chamber(s) are those that the firearm had when it was manufactured (or a replacement that is identical in all material respects) and it is chambered for use with a cartridge specified in the 2021 Regulations, and
- be sold, transferred, purchased, acquired or possessed as a curiosity or ornament.
Following their use in crime, seven cartridges which previously appeared in the Home Office obsolete cartridge list have been omitted from the equivalent list in the 2021 Regulations. These cartridges are:
- .320 British (also known as .320 Revolver CF, short or long)
- .41 Colt (short or long)
- .44 Smith and Wesson Russian
- .442 Revolver (also known as .44 Webley)
- 9.4mm Dutch Revolver
- 10.6mm German Ordnance Revolver
- 11mm French Ordnance Revolver M1873 (Army)
This means that from 22 March 2021 all firearms chambered for use with the above cartridges will become subject to the controls in the 1968 Act, including licensing.
There will be a transition period of six months from 22 March until 23:59 on 21 September 2021 during which owners of such firearms can decide what they wish to do with them.
People who possess such firearms immediately before the Regulations come into effect on 22 March 2021 can apply to their local police firearms licensing department to retain them on a firearms certificate. Application must be made before the transition period ends at 23:59 on 21 September 2021. As long as a person has applied for a firearm certificate, they will remain in lawful possession of their firearm even if their application remains outstanding or is the subject of an outstanding appeal when the transition period ends.
Should a firearm meet the criteria for a historic handgun under section 7 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, the owner can apply for a certificate on this basis.
If the owner of a firearm that no longer falls within the definition of ‘antique firearm’ chooses not to licence it, they will need to otherwise dispose of it before the transition period ends at 23:59 on 21 September 2021. Disposal could include selling, exporting or deactivating the firearm, donating it to a museum or surrendering it to the police. To enable this, owners will be able to freely sell or transfer the firearm to another collector or to a museum without requiring a firearm certificate, section 5 authority or a museum firearms licence. Owners can also sell or transfer the firearm to a dealer, but only one who is registered with the police and who has a section 5 authority. In all cases, the new owner must then apply to the police for a firearm certificate or museum licence in respect of the firearm before the transition period ends at 23:59 on 21 September 2021.
The Home Office have just published their circular on the new Regulations – here is a link to it: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0012021-antique-firearms
It sets out the legal and practical effects of the Antique Firearms Regulations and the associated Commencement Regulations, and also provides links to both. The new definition of ‘antique firearm’ will come into effect on 22 March 2021 and the transitional period for licensing etc former antique firearms will run for six months until 23:59 on 21 September 2021.
The following comments may be of assistance:
- When transferred to FAC as a Sect 1 item, an ex 58(2) may only be possessed (as described in Sect 126 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017)
- It will require you to have your own Sect 5 RFD to sell it. That is why Sect 7 is the best alternative as the Sect 7 rules allow more flexibility. The Sect 7.1 option will likely apply to most pistols affected
- Any longarm chambered for the cartridges removed from the list will be Sect 1 and may be added to an FAC and handled as such
- For the seven revolver models involved you do not have to prove good reason to put them on FAC – they will also be a collection
- However you will have to comply with all the other arrangements and security as required for an FAC item
- If you have these 58(2)s to deal with then you must apply for an FAC or variation during the transition period, as mentioned. Once you have done so you will be deemed to have complied even if the issue of your documents goes beyond the transition period
- You may sell these items as a 58(2) during the transition period. Of course if you wish to sell one of the Sect 58(2) items before you may do so. You may also acquire them and include them in your FAC application or variation, during the transition period
- Once the Law is in place, those of you who have rifles chambered for the cartridges added to the Obsolete List (see list in earlier post) which you no longer wish to shoot, you may dispose of any ammunition you possess and tell the police that you wish the rifle(s) removed from your FAC as you will hold them under Sect 58(2.).
Firearms law changes (England, Wales and Scotland)
What are the changes?
These will take effect on 12 December 2019 and introduce changes to the controls on firearms relating to:
- Responsibility for secure storage arrangements in relation to certificate holders under the age of 18.
- The particulars to be entered by firearms dealers into their register of transactions in order to reflect new marking requirements for firearms and essential component parts.
A separate note explaining the effect of the changes in Northern Ireland will be issued by the Department of Justice.
Why are these changes being made?
These changes are being made in order to implement the requirements of Directive (EU) 2017/853 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.
The UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force.
Arrangements for the storage of firearms held on a certificate by under 18s
Where a firearm or shotgun certificate holder is under the age of 18, UK law now requires arrangements to be made for a person aged 18 or over to assume responsibility for the secure storage of the firearms and ammunition held on the young person’s certificate.
The person assuming responsibility must be either the certificate holder’s parent or guardian or a person aged 18 or over who is authorised to have possession of such firearms and ammunition. It may not always be necessary for the parent or guardian to also have a firearms certificate if arrangements are made for the firearm to be secured in a cabinet with two separate locks which can only be opened when both key holders are present and one of the key holders is a certificate holder.
Police forces have decided that a condition on secure storage will be added to firearm certificates when an application for grant, variation or renewal is received. In the interim, forces will make their own arrangements for advising young people of the new storage arrangements and any changes which might be required.
Particulars to be entered in firearms dealer’s registers
The information to be recorded in dealers’ registers is set out below. This is in line with the marking requirements of the EU directive. The requirement for all essential component parts (as defined in section 57 of the Firearms Act 1968) to be marked is due to be brought into force by 17 January 2020 and will be the subject of a separate Home Office Circular.
Particulars to be entered into dealers’ registers:
(a) in the case of firearms (other than air weapons) manufactured before 14 September 2018 and firearms of historical importance:
(i) the class of firearms (eg shotgun, rifle, revolver or pistol)
(ii) the calibre
(iii) the name of the manufacturer or brand
(iv) the country or place of manufacture, if known
(v) the identification number (which may be the serial number) or other distinguishing mark, if present; and,
(aa) in the case of firearms (other than air weapons and firearms of historical importance) manufactured in the United Kingdom or anywhere in the European Union or imported from outside the European Union on or after 14 September 2018:
(i) the class of firearms (eg shotgun, rifle, revolver or pistol);
(ii) the calibre;
(iii) the unique marking affixed to each relevant component part, to include:
(aa) the name of the manufacturer or brand
(bb) the country or place of manufacture
(cc) the serial number and the year of manufacture (if not part of the serial number)
(dd) the model (where feasible)
(iv) where a relevant component part, other than the frame and the receiver, is too small to have a unique marking including all of the information set out in paragraph (iii)(aa) to (dd) above, the serial number or alphanumeric or digital code instead of that information should be recorded
(v) the batch number
Note: Any firearm manufactured before September 1939 will be regarded as being of historical importance.
Notification of transfer or possession of deactivated firearms
What is required?
The Firearms Regulations 2019 introduce new requirements regarding the possession and transfer of permanently deactivated firearms in accordance with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2017/853.
What is a deactivated firearm and do all types have to be notified?
“Deactivated firearm” means a firearm that has been deactivated in accordance with the technical specifications set out in the document published by the Secretary of State under section 8A(5) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 (controls on defectively deactivated weapons) which apply to that firearm.
The specification is published here
In practice this means only the following items are caught by the regulations:
- Pistols (single shot, semi-automatic)
- Revolvers (including cylinder loading revolvers)
- Single-shot long firearms (not break action)
- Break action firearms (e.g. smoothbore, rifled, combination, falling/rolling block action, short and long firearms)
- Repeating long firearms (smoothbore, rifled)
- Semi-automatic long firearms (smoothbore, rifled)
- (Full) automatic firearms (e.g. selected assault rifles, (sub) machine guns, (full) automatic pistols)
- Muzzle-loading firearms
Items not listed here fall outside the notification requirements e.g. flare guns, rocket launchers & mortars.
The regulations state that only those firearms deactivated on or after 14 September 2018 need to be notified. Firearms which were deactivated prior to 8 April 2016 are not covered by these provisions.
In practice this means that details of deactivated firearms acquired between 8 April 2016 (the date the EU technical specifications came into effect) and 14 September 2018, and which have remained unaltered ever since do not need to be notified to the appropriate national authority until 14 March 2021.
When is a notification of transfer required?
When someone transfers a deactivated firearm they are required to give notice of the transfer either before the transfer takes place or, as soon as reasonably practicable after the transfer – but only when the transfer is for a period of more than 14 days.
The notification of the transfer of a deactivated firearm only applies at present to those items acquired since 14 September 2018.
The person transferring the deactivated firearm should send the following information to the Home Office:
- a description of the deactivated firearm which must include, if known, the make, calibre and serial number of the firearm
- details of the name and address of the person giving notice
- the person to whom the deactivated firearm has been, or will be, transferred.
When is a notification of possession required?
Notice must be given on or before the day on which the person first possesses the deactivated firearm or, as soon as reasonably practicable after that date. The notice must give a description of the deactivated firearm including, the make, calibre and serial number of the firearm and state the person’s name and address. There is no need to notify if the person is in possession of the deactivated firearm for a period of 14 days or less.
The notification of the possession of a deactivated firearm only applies at present to those items acquired since 14 September 2018.
How do I notify possession or transfer of a deactivated firearm?
Forms are provided for this purpose on GOV.UK.
The required information should then be submitted here.
or by post to:
Deactivated Firearms Notifications
Home Office
Serious Violence Unit
5th Floor, Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
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