I mentioned in some previous threads that there is a list of the calibers requiring specific authorization to be owned or imported into France. It took some time but here below is the list. Remember, this is the list for cartridges conceived for shoulder fired weapons, not handguns. It's in French but I think most of you can figure it out within the context. For those of you who are cartridge collectors, there are some pretty rare cartridges on this list.

D E N O M I N A T I O N S C O U R A N T E S
D E S C A L I B R E S
5,45 x 39 mm
223 Rem. ou .223 Remington ou 5,56 mm NATO
6 mm Lee Navy
6,5 x 51 R ou 6,5 mm Arisaka
6,5 x 53,5 mm Daudeteau
6,5 x 54 mm Mannlicher Schoenauer
6,5 mm Mannlicher
6,5 x 54 M.-Sch ou 6,5 mm Mannlicher-Schônauer
6,5 x 58 Mauser ou 6,5 mm Mauser-Vergueiro
6,5 x 57 ou 6,5 x 57 mm Mauser
6,5 x 55 SE ou 6,5 x 55 mm Suédois
6,5 mm Mauser ou 6,5 mm Krag-Jorgensen
6,5 mm Carcano ou 6,5 mm Terni ou 6,5 mm Mannlicher-Carcano
7 mm Liviano
7 x 57 ou 7 mm Mauser
7,35 mm Carcano
7,62 mm M 52
.30-40 Krag
7,7 mm Type 99
7,7 mm Type 92
7,5 x 55 GP 11 ou 7,5 mm Rubin-Schmidt M 1911
7,5 mm Mle 1929 C
.30 M1
30-06 Spring. ou .30-06 Springfield ou 7,62 x 63 mm


D E N O M I N A T I O N S C O U R A N T E S
D E S C A L I B R E S
PREMIERE CATEGORIE - ARMES D'EPAULE (suite 1)
308 Win. ou .308 Winchester ou 7,62 NATO
.308 EH
7,62 mm M 43 ou 7,62 Kalashnikov
7,62 mm Mosin-Nagant
.303 British
7,7 mm Type 92
7,92 Schwarzlose
7,92 mm M 1929
7,65 x 53 Arg. ou 7,65 mm Mauser
8 mm type 66
8 mm Breda
8 mm Bofors
8 x 51 (Mauser K)
8 x 57 J ou 7,92 mm Mauser
7,92 x 33 Kurz ou 7,92 mm Kurz
8 mm Krag-Jorgensen
8 x 63 mm Suédois
8 mm Lebel
8 x 57 JS
8 x 50 R ou 8 mm Mannlicher
8 x 56 M-Sch. ou 8 mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer ou 8 x 56 R
8 mm Guesdes
8 mm Murata
8 mm hongrois
8 x 56 R M30S
9,5 mm turc
10,15 mm Jarmann
10,15 mm Mauser
10,40 mm suisse (annulaire)
10,4 mm Vetterli M70


D E N O M I N A T I O N S C O U R A N T E S
D E S C A L I B R E S
PREMIERE CATEGORIE - ARMES D'EPAULE (suite 2)
10,75 mm Berdan
11 mm Murata
11 mm Albini
11 mm Comblain
.43 Spanish
11,15 mm Werndl
11,15 mm Mauser
11,4 mm Werndl M 73
11,43 mm Turc
.43 Egyptien
11,4 mm Brésilien
11,5 mm espagnol
.577/450 Martini Henry
11,7 mm danois
11 mm Beaumont M 71/78
11 mm Beaumont M 71
12,11 mm norvégien
.577 Snider

Hey Wink, thanks for posting that.

Interesting the 45-70 Govt. is not on the list, but others from the same military era are. Just goes to show ....

- stu

Thanks for that Wink, that is useful.

I know you French manage to live with these rules quite nicely, for us outsiders, it is somewhat bewildering that a .30-06 can be restricted, yet a .300 Wby not... Still the ways of the bureaucracy are unfathomable...

There seems to be a minor ray of hope - the .275 Rigby (a.k.a. 7x57 a.k.a. 7mm Mauser) does not seem to be listed. Probably an oversight, and dangerous to base your assumption of hassle free entry on. Still, that said, it is actually quite rare one gets checked...

- mike

P.S. I did not realize the 6.5x57 had been a military cartridge anywhere?? Anybody know in which country, or even when??

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
P.S. I did not realize the 6.5x57 had been a military cartridge anywhere?? Anybody know in which country, or even when??

News to me too and I'm curious.

So Far As I know the 6.5x57 (aside from the americanized 6.5 Roberts-Jap) is properly known as the 6.5x57RWS.

It was considered as a military cartridge by several countries but I don't believe it was ever actually accepted.

AllanD

You will also notice that the 50 BMG is not on the list (12,7mm in France) because when the list was made the 50 BMG was not chambered for "shoulder fired" weapons! At least I think that is the reason.

According to "Cartridges of the World", the 6.5 X 57mm Mauser was never adopted by any military. However, the book also says that it is frequently mistaken for the 6.5 X 58mm Portuguese.

Thanks for that research Wink , much appreciated.

T260

quote:

Originally posted by mho:
Thanks for that Wink, that is useful.


There seems to be a minor ray of hope - the .275 Rigby (a.k.a. 7x57 a.k.a. 7mm Mauser) does not seem to be listed. Probably an oversight, and dangerous to base your assumption of hassle free entry on. Still, that said, it is actually quite rare one gets checked...

Mike - that was my own view and one held by many in the UK. Johan has just reported to me a friend stopped and forced to leave behind his 275Rigby as it 'could fire a 7x57'.....

Looks like that particular route is a bit iffy. I have an e mail address for a consular official who deals with these things and am planning on mailing for confirmation. Not sure why I'm concenned as I have a 243 for the mountains and a 9.3x62 for driven game - it's just I would like to be able to do it all with a 7x57....

Before all the 7mm fans think that France is allergic to that particular bullet diameter, please note that the 7 X 64 is probably the most popular cartridge in France and that the following calibers require no declaration or authorization of any sort: 7 X 64mm, 280 Rem. and Improved, 7mm Rem Mag, 7.08 Rem, 7MM STW, 7mm Weatherby, 284 Winch, all the 7mm short magnums, all the Dakotas, almost all the 7mm rimmed cartridges, etc., etc. and the list goes on. It's just too bad that the nicely balanced 7 X 57mm got into a military rifle. I for one am glad that so many very good rifle cartridges never made it into a military rifle, otherwise shooting in France would be a royal administrative headache.

By the way, for those who would like it, I can send you the whole 34 page document which describes all the other caliber restrictions including handguns, etc. You will need to send me your e-mail address.

Hi Wink

It means that you need a special permit or authorization to own / buy this caliber ammo or rifles , but not mean you can't hunt with a 7x57 Mauser rifle or a 30'06 , or hunting with a military caliber rifle it's forbidden?
Thanks

Daniel

Daniel, it is my understanding that 1st category calibers are not legal for hunting in France. They may be fired at gun clubs and in many shooting competitions, but not for hunting. Generally, only calibers listed under the 5th category (non-military calibers which require no specific administrative authorization) are legal for hunting.

It has been posted above that in the past the .275 Rigby was considered acceptable as a 5th categorie caliber. This said, if in fact some have been refused entry with a rifle barrel so stamped, I wonder if there were any amendments to the document I obtained. I will see what I can find out.

Dear Wink,

That is a very useful list. I am suprised to see the 45-70 isn't on it. I had thought about taking a 7X57R to a former French possession but decided against it in case the custom's people got it confused with the 7x57.Like to make it easy for them.

VBR,


Ted Gorsline

Ted, the 7X57 Rimmed is a well known cartridge in France (and therefore their former colonies as well) and used frequently in both side-by-side and over-and-under double rifles in France. I don't think you would have any problem with confusion about that one. Also, it appears clearly on the 5th category list which requires no authorizations and is sold over the counter with only a hunting licence or gun club membership.

So between this thread and Calibre List for France, I get the impression that one could and easily support a 7x64, a 35 Whelen and a 9.3x62 with over-the-counter ammunition in France.

Am I correct?

thanks,


Okie John

Yes, that is true. If you are a resident of France or a French citizen, they may require that you show a valid hunting licence or your membership card in a gun club. They do not ask this of non-residents.

Thanks for the clarification, Wink. Also, the document downloaded perfectly. Now I just have to wade through it.

Thanks again,


Okie John