Bringing rifle into India

[prashantsingh]

Dear friends
I have been living in Vancouver for the past couple of years . I got my PAL and bought a new .308 rifle here.
I am told that non resident Indians can import one weapon from abroad
I have a valid rifle licence in India which will be empty soon since I am selling my .375 mag
Need guidence on how I can get my 308 from Vancouver to Dehradun
My licence in India is valid for the state of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand . It is not an All India licence

[timmy]

Prashantji, it is so good to hear from you. I can't help you with your question, but what is sad is the sale of your legendary 375. Will this mean the end of leopard stories?

i wish you all the best on your return move, and hope all is well with you.

Regards,
timmy

[prashantsingh]

Dear Timmy
My team mates will continue the good work
Capt Rakshit Sharma , Kr Udayan Singh and Mansoor . They are now registered with the forest Dept as Shikaris.
I am aging . Time to take the back seat. Unfortunately we lost Kr Sanjay Singh , Sudhir Raghav and Samarth Singh over the past two decade.
I will probably write something from next year as I intend to accompany them
I picked a Tikka 308 here and joined the Port Coquitlam Hunting and Fishing Club as a family member . Have fallen in love with the rifle. Most maneating leopards are identified and shot within 70 meters, so I feel even a 308 is not bad as a standby weapon. The team already has a 375 mag and a couple of 3006s
The most accomplished hunter in the country Lakhpat Singh Rawat uses an IOF 315 for all his hunts . He has used it on more than 50 leopards and two tigers
Recently there was a maneating leopard in Udaipur Rajasthan , which killed 9 people with a fortnight . 4 leopards were caught and one lynched by villagers. Yet the killings continued . It was finally shot by a team of forest officials. Turned out to be a male.

[HasnainQureshi21]

sorry for unrelated question to the topic but how does someone get registered as a shikari with the forest department

It's sad to hear your selling your .375 and retiring from hunting

Love from one of your fan, prashanth sir

[airguns]

Might want to check beforehand with licencing authorities concerned. 308 might be considered 7.62 which is prohibited bore.
Not current knowledge, but about 15 years ago, friend imported revolver on Transfer of residence. Travel by airline that allows firearms. Deposit firearm and ammunition packed seperately with Airline and pay a substantial fee. On arrival at IGI, firearms are not cleared at disembarkment time, but are handed by airline to customs and impounded. Had to go during normal daytime business hours. Submit licence, permission for temporarily increase in quota to 50 rounds from LA ( licence was 25/50), paperwork showing length of residence overseas, time of ownership of revolver and affidavit that there is transfer of residence.
Duty was hefty paid on cost of revolver as per Customs book+on amount paid to airline for transportation.
Worst part clearly written on licence book, firearm not to be sold, gifted, transferred, given to retainer or otherwise disposed off for lifetime of that person.

[prashantsingh]

Thanks for the info
Looks like it's not worth the effort

[thesinfulsaint]

Might want to check beforehand with licencing authorities concerned. 308 might be considered 7.62 which is prohibited bore.
Not current knowledge, but about 15 years ago, friend imported revolver on Transfer of residence. Travel by airline that allows firearms. Deposit firearm and ammunition packed seperately with Airline and pay a substantial fee. On arrival at IGI, firearms are not cleared at disembarkment time, but are handed by airline to customs and impounded. Had to go during normal daytime business hours. Submit licence, permission for temporarily increase in quota to 50 rounds from LA ( licence was 25/50), paperwork showing length of residence overseas, time of ownership of revolver and affidavit that there is transfer of residence.
Duty was hefty paid on cost of revolver as per Customs book+on amount paid to airline for transportation.
Worst part clearly written on licence book, firearm not to be sold, gifted, transferred, given to retainer or otherwise disposed off for lifetime of that person.

I was under the impression, firearms brought to India under TOI were exempt from duty. I could be misinformed as this is send hand information.

[timmy]

Prashantji: Your problem is similar to mine: my "motor" doesn't run me up the hills as fast as it used to, and this has curtailed some of my more ambitious ideas of fun.

I have heard a lot of good things about the Tikka rifles, although I have not handled one. Your idea about a 308 being sufficient for your needs sounds right to me, and Mr. Rawat's use of a 315 is not surprising. I would guess that, after all of these years of developments and improvements, an SMLE action is still as fast as anything else, should a follow up be needed.

When you find the time, I do look forward to reading another of your exciting accounts. Meanwhile, I hope that all goes well for you and your move.