Originally Posted by
Muskett
Air Rifles running over 12ft/lbs require a FAC licence. Those running under require no license.
If you were found to be in possession of a FAC rated air rifle that had no license then you could be prosecuted for not having a license.
Most people have no way of testing what power their air rifle is running at, nor does the Law expect them to for Shops are not allowed to sell them over the limit. Same goes for buying from a mate who wouldn't know either.
Start tuning and messing with the air rifle, like putting in a dirty big spring, then that is something different. Found with a 14ft/lbs air rifle without a license rightly would get you into a heap of trouble; don't do it.
The Police aren't your friends. Always take professional Gun experienced legal advice.
I agree with Blackbeard that FAC air to say under 30ft/lbs could be put on Shotgun Licenses. FAC air increases lethality on small game quite marketably, however also increases the safety considerations. Air Rifles are used to shoot airwards as are shotguns, something that can't be done with FAC, not even .22LR Sunsonics.
Either don't have the testing equipment and don't mess about with your air rifle, or do have the equipment, do as you like, and test it with enough margin that you don't go over the limit. How close you want to go is your call, but I suggest be careful.
It's never worth going over the limit without a FAC license.
One of the big changes are the scope of different weight pellets now available. There used to be just a few weights, but now all kinds from very light weight to heavy monsters. These can give different power outputs and muddies the waters. Why many here suggest testing with different weights to be sure.
To answer the OP's question then most would say whatever the springer shoots accurately at. Some springers are well behaved at the higher limits and can be tuned to be very close to the legal limit. To me a rifle shooting at around 11.6ft/lbs would be making the most of the power regulations for no license rifles.