< Previous10 T H E R I F L E M A N December, 1943. The .22 Rifle as a Field Sporting Weapon By S. G. S. Harris From time to time there appears in print some observations ; concerning the .22 rifle as a field weapon, and having enjoyed i over 30 years' sport of this nature 1 feel that I may venture ! some remarks on the subject. In the first place, I think that the choice of weapon is important, and although there will be a good deal of difference of opinion in this matter I think that most practical sportsmen will agree that a rifle of i from 54 to 64 lbs. is most serviceable, and in fact the latter figure is the maximum that can be used all day in comfort. It is fully agreed that the heavy " Target " rifle of from 9 to 10 lbs. will shoot closer groups by some 1+ins. at 100 yards, but I do not think this is any real compensation for the handier and better balanced weapon of sporting type. I would strongly advise some form of repeater for sport, as it is so often vital to be able to place a quick second shot, to correct an initial miss or prevent a wounded rabbit from escaping ; also when shooting at the longer ranges it is often an advantage to deliberately place the first shot well over the object, so that on hearing the sound of the bullet striking the ground it will, move away from the spot and so come nearer to the shooter and offer a better shot. This is par ticularly the case with hares. ; There are a number of different types of repeating or magazine .22 rifles on the market, some have the magazine in tubular form under the barrel, whilst others have a box magazine in front of the trigger guard. Some are operated by a sliding forepart, some by a bolt, and others by an underlever. Of the three types 1 prefer the first mentioned, as the reloading can be done quicker from the shoulder, and, most important of all, without moving the hands from the firing grip. In fact, with this type of rifle it is possible to fire as many aimed shots in a given time as can be similarly fired from an auto rifle, most of the time being taken in obtaining the correct aim. Regarding actions, I still prefer the outside hammer as being quick, simple and giving a more positive safety than any other type. With this action the hammer remains at half cock until the actual time of firing, when it is cocked by the thumb as the rifle is brought to the shoulder. As the springs are only under compression for so short a tune the action is almost everlasting, and in the case of my 1890 model Winchester the springs are as good today as when the rifle was new in 1912, never having been touched. Also the hammer action allows a very light crisp trigger pull, my own being barely 2 lbs. and has not been touched since I adjusted it to this figure in 1936. As far as sights go, no doubt the light telescopic sight is best in spite of certain drawbacks inherent in this type of sighting, but a good set of aperture sights leave little to be desired. In my case I have carved a special stock for the Winchester and mounted a B.S.A. stem type aperture sight (No. 8a) on the comb, about 9ins. forward from the heel, carving out the top of the comb to allow the sight to fold down flush when not in use. This allows the ' eye to be brought close up to the aperture, thus obtaining a large field of view without using too large an aperture. I find that a hole of .08 fits my sight best, and as the shot is quickly taken there is no blurring eft'ect noticeable on the foresight. The advantage of a sight mounted , thus is also noticed when shooting rooks or pigeons above one's head in the trees, as a vertical shot can be taken with the aperture in the same relative position to the eye as when shooting horizontally, this cannot be done if the sight is mounted on the tang as in most cases, so that a direct overhead shot in a poor light is almost impossible as the aperture is so far from the eye that the field of view is too small to properly pick out the object. For a foresight 1 use now a wide blade sight painted white and ! with a distinct black line down the centre, the white sight is quickly picked up, the flat top assists in maintaining elevation, and the black line gives accuracy of aim. I formerly used a narrow black blade sight, but substituted the white one in 1937 and would not change back. It is assumed that most sportsmen stalk their game with the .22 bore and so cover a fair amount of ground during the day, hence a rifle of some 6 lbs. is quite heavy enough to carry round and use in the open. In different parts of the country quite different methods have to be adopted to bring about successful results, in the open downland country long shots are the order of the day, and many of these can be taken from the sitting or even prone position, good judgment of distance, wind and light being necessary and also good " holding." In other parts of the country, thick undergrowth and brushwood render careful stalking, and quick off-hand shooting necessary at shorter ranges. I have found that it takes me approximately 4 seconds to get off an accurate offhand shot under good conditions, and if I attempt to reduce this time accuracy suffers a good deal. This does not seem to be a long time but it is well to bear in mind that a quick shot with a shot gun will get off a shot in 4 second, and also that a good many rabbits will not wait 4 seconds but dash in on sight. Very careful stalking is therefore necessary to come upon them unawares. As an example of what may be expected of a .22 under good sporting conditions, the following abstracted from notes made during 1939 and 1940 whilst shooting in the North of England, may be of interest. The ground shot over consisted of about 100 acres of rough hilly land intersected by deep dry valleys, the sides of which were covered with gorse and fern in patches, both stalking and long range shooting across the valleys could be obtained, and the area was not large enough to entail excessive walking. During the summer of 1939 and part of 1940 a careful record was kept with the following results. A total of 70 rabbits were killed and the distances recorded as near as was possible :— 8 rabbits were killed at ranges between 20 yds and 50 yds. 3 0 „ „ „ 5 0 „ 7 5 , . 2 3 „ „ „ 7 5 „ 1 0 0 „ 6 „ „ „ 1 0 0 „ 1 2 5 „ 3 „ „ „ 1 2 5 „ 1 5 0 „ The average range for the whole 70 was approximately 75 yds. In all cases the rifle used was the 1890 model Winchester, stocked and sighted as described, and the ammunition used was Super-X copper coated hollow point bullets. Almost the whole of the rabbits up to 75 yards range were shot from the off hand position, those from 75 yards to 100 yards mostly from the sitting position firing across valleys, and the long shots taken prone. I would like to add in conclusion that the conditions for the actual shooting were ftivourable and 1 was in pretty good form at the time. [For field shooting as above, suggested each shooter must have a gun licence as the ordinary Club Exemption Certificate only covers shooting on rifle club ranges which have been certified as safe.—Ed.] Reloading and Adapters {Continued from page 3) bullet like this at ranges up to 100 yards with very good immunity f rom wind deflection, and very good killing power when it gets there ; but you must know your range. That is the snag with slow bullets. The trajectory is so high and curved that the correct elevation must be used for the range, for an error of ten per cent at ranges beyond 50 yards will mean a probable miss on a rabbit. Thus we come to the great desideratum of this type of shooting— a portable, efficient range finder which will tell ranges at every ten yards or five yards up to 100 or 150. Such things can be made in c u m b e r s o m e f o r m . T h e r e i s a d e s c r i p t i o n i n a r e c e n t A m e r i c a n Rifleman of how to make one, on " the superimposed image " system. 13ut for practical stalking such a thing has too bad a loss of light and is far too clumsy. The only practical system is to incorporate your range-finder in the binoculars which you use to find your game, so that you can search and read off the range at the same time. Such an instrument is not made ; but one of my party of experts, a highly qualified optical instrument maker, is now working on the problem. He has already turned out an experimental instrument which was satisfactory in certain conditions, but failed in others, and I have no doubt that the perfected article will be forthcoming eventually. Failing this, the only thing you can do is to go over-your shooting ground and measure, by stepping or simple surveying methods, distances between key points, by which you can judge other ranges as necessary. In this way it is possible to make use of a low velocity rifle with effect ; but it is very necessary indeed to be able to set the sights exactly for the range, or else to have an exact knowledge of how much to aim up or down with your fixed sighting, and this must be done by extensive trial and observation at targets fired at known ranges. This is, however, really a subject in itself. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKDecember, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 11 Field-Marshal J. C. Smuts, P.C., C.H., F.R.S., Prime Minister of South Africa, becomes a Vice-President of the S.M.R.C. WE have the proud privilege to announce that General Smuts, as he prefers to be called, has become a Vice- President of the Society of Minia ture Rifle Clubs. On 14th November, Lt. General Sir Alfred Codrington, acting on behalf of the Council of the Society, sent an invitation, and on 18th November the private secretary of General Smuts replied as follows : - " G e n e r a l S m u t s h a s a s k e d m e to thank you for your letter of the 14th November, and to say that he will be glad to become a Vice- President of the Society of Minia ture Rifle Clubs. " T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r h a s b e e n very interested in your account of the activities of the Clubs during the last and previous wars, and hopes that the good work will be con tinued in the future."' T h i s t r i b u t e f r o m o n e o f t h e greatest statesmen of the world should be emblazoned in every one of our rifle ranges as each and every one of our members will be uplifted and honoured by it. Subsequent to this, on 2nd December, as all the world knows, he has given forth constructive ideas of interest to all Nations, when addressing the Empire Parlia mentary Association. We cannot refrain from giving below extracts which relate particularly to Britain, the Commonwealth, and the Colonial Empire. " Then you will have this country of Great Britain, with a glory and an honour and a prestige such as perhaps no nation has ever enjoyed in history, recognized as possessing a greatness of soul that has entered into the very substance of world history. But from a material economic point of view she will be a poor country. She has put in her all. This country has held nothing back. There is nothing ieft in the till. She has put her body and soul and everything into it to win the battle of mankind. She will have won it, but she will come o u t o f i t p o o r i n s u b s t a n c e . ^ , (At this point he suggested the grouping of the westerly European democracies to enable our group to become on a par with the U.S.A. and the Soviet Union S.S.R.) "The British Empire and the British Commonwealth remain as one of the greatest things of the "world and of history, and nothing can touch that fact. But you must remember that the Empire and the Commonwealth are mostly extra-European. Those are the over flows of this great British system to other continents. The purely European position of Great Britain will be one of enormous prestige and respect, and will carry enormous weight, but she will be poor. " Let me say a few words about the Commonwealth and Empire, because after all we remain a very great world community. It is not only the spiritual power which we command as no other group on earth commands. It is not only that we possess that strength of soul, that inner freedom which is greater than all the freedoms of the Atlantic Charter, but we are also a very powerful group, scattered though we are over the world. And we must look to our own inner strength, our inner coherence, our system, our set-up and pattern, to see that it is on safe lines for the future. " What is the present set-up in our group ? We are an Empire and a Commonwealth. We are a dual system. In that dual system we follow two ditferent principles. In the Commonwealth we follow to the limit the principle of decentralization. In the Commonwealth this group of ours has become wholly decentralized as sovereign States. The members of the group maintain the unbreakable spiritual bonds which are stronger than steel, but in all matters of government and their internal and external concerns they are sovereign States. " In the Colonial Empire, on the other hand, we follow quite a different principle. We follow the opposite principle of centralization. Field-Marshal J. C. SMUTS, statesman and soldier, Premier and C.-in-C. of the South African forces, has paid several visits to his men at the front. Here is a picture of him taken during one of these visits. He is now a Vice-f'resident of the S.M.Ft.C. A n d t h e c e n t r a l i z a t i o n i s f o c u s e d i n t h i s c o u n t r y, i n L o n d o n . T h e question that arises in my own mind, looking at the situation ob jectively, is whether such a situation can endure. To have the Empire centralized and the Commonwealth decentralized, to have the two groups developed on two different fines, raises grave questions for the future. Is this duality in our group safe? Should we not give very grave thought to this dualism in our system ? ■■ I hope you will forgive my doubts, Mr, Chairman, but I do not speak critically here. I am not a c r i t i c o f t h e E m p i r e . I a m j u s t thinking objectively, and giving expression to my concern. I am not out to criticise. But I know as a fact that wherever I have gone in the Colonial Empire I have found criticism of this situation. Yo u r o w n B r i t i s h p e o p l e o u t s i d e t h i s i s l a n d , l i v i n g i n C r o w n Colonies, are very critical and restive under this system which is c e n t r a l i z e d i n L o n d o n . I t i s t h e nature of the beast, you know. T h e B r i t i s h e r r e s e n t s b e i n g r u n by others and from a distance. The question is whether there should not be an approach between the two systems so as to eliminate gradually this dualism and have a closer approach between the two, and bring Empire and C o m r n o n w e a l t h c l o s e r t o g e t h e r . - r . " Following that line of thought, colonial system consists of too many units. If there is to be decentralization you will have to decentralize from the Colonial Office in London, and give adminis trative powers of all sorts, and all degrees, sometimes to very small units, or to some still in a very primitive stage of development, and t h a t m i g h t b e a r i s k y t h i n g t o d o . . r • " Our colonial system consists of a very large number ot units in all stages of development, and if there is to be decentralization and devolution of power and authority, it becomes in my opinion necessary to simplify the system, to tidy it up, to group smaller units, and in many cases, to do away with units which have simply arisen as an accident by historic haphazard. They should never have existed as separate units, and in many cases their boundaries are quite indefen sible You know how this great show has grown up historically, by bits of history here and there, without any planning and of course, inevitably so." But the time has come, or the time may be coming now, when it is necessary to tidy up the show, to reduce the number of independent colonial units, to abolish a number of Ahese separate adminsitrations scattered pell-mell over the Colonial Empire and to reduce the consequent expenditure which is a burden on the loca peoples many of them very poor, undeveloped, and with very small resources It is a heavy burden on them, and their slender resources might be devoted to better purpose than carrying on a heavy adminis trative machine, perhaps beyond their capacity. , . u ** As I say it is a question whether we should not abolish a number of units, and group others, and so tidy up the show. Then in such a case you can decentralize, and you can safely give large power^ and greater authority to those larger groups that you will thus create. Where it might be unsafe and unwise to give larger authority to a num ber of small units, it might be safe and wise, and the proper course, to give authority and to decentralize administrative power in the case of larger units grouped under a better arrangement. " I do not wish to go into details, but the case I know best is my own African continent, which contains a large number of British Colonies and Territories. There it seems to me quite a feasible proposi tion to group the British Colonies and Territories into detinite groups. You have West Africa, you have East Africa, and you have Southern Africa It is quite possible to group those Colonies into larger units. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK12 each under a Government-General and abolish not a few of them that need not continue to enjoy a separate existence. In that way you will overcome the difficulty of the highly centralized system centreing in London, which is irksome to the local people, is perhaps not serving their highest interests and their best developments, and give outsiders tne occasion to blaspheme and to call the Colonial Empire an Imperial- ist concern, run in the economic interests of this country. As you will solve this problem of centralization in the Colonial Empire you will also solve another equally important problem. And tftis brings me to the Commonwealth. In many of these cases of colonial re-organization, where there will be new and larger colonial groups uni^r a Governor-General, you will find that it is quite pos- 0 g r o u p s c l o s e r t o a n e i g h b o u r i n g D o m i n i o n , and ttiereby interest the Dominion in the colonial group. In this way, instead of the Dorninions being a show apart, so to say, having little or nothing to do with the Empire, and taking very little interest in it these regiOTal Dominions will become sharers and partners in the Ernpire. You will tighten up your whole show ; you will create fresh links between the Empire and the Commonwealth, and create a new interest and life in the system as a whole. You will create better co operation, and you will bring to bear on the problems of these colonial groups the experience and resources and leadership of the local Uomimons, too. In this way you will tighten up your whole system and mstead of being two separate systems, the one decentralized and looking after its own affairs, and the other centralized and centred in London, you will have a much more logical co-operative and states manlike arrangement. Perhaps I am now over-simplifying here, but 1 simply put this picture before you as it has developed in my mind the picture of a arger, more co-operative world community. The' December, 1943,. time is coming when the colonial system will have to be simplified and tightened up, and to a large extent decentralized, and when the Domi nions will have to be called in to play their part also in the new set-up. SUGGESTED CONFERENCES. " Not only Great Britain and not only London, but the Dominions also should, by loose consultative arrangement, have a hand in this new colonial pattern, and the Dominions should also bring their re sources and their experience to bear in the development of the Colonies. 1 think the suggestion is very well worth considering. Perhaps the new link could best be introduced by means of a system of regional conferences, which would include both the local Dominion and the regional colonial group of the area concerned. Perhaps to begin with nothing more is needed than merely an organzied system of conferences between thern, where they could meet and exchange ideas, and by means of which they could settle common policies, discuss common interests, and in that way link up the Dominions and the Colonies with the Mother Country in a common, more fruitful co-operation. These, in broad outline, are our future arrangements as I see them not only for our own future but for the future of the world—and I want to see our group strengthened and co-ordinated and elements ot risk and of danger removed from its path. I want to see it launched forth after this war on the new paths of history with a better prospect of co-operation and collaboration among all its parts. I want a common pride to develop on the basis of better co operation and understanding. I want the Dominions to take both interest and pride in the Colonies within their sphere, and in that way to create, in our great world-wide Commonwealth, a new esprit ae corps, a common patriotism, and a larger human outlook." T H E R I F L E M A N PROSPECTIVE COMPETITIONS (Subject to decision of the Executive Committee of the Council.) National League—50 and 100 yards (Incorporating Scottish League Shield.) 1st Division Winners are Champion Team of the year. Teams of five, each firing 20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100 ysrds. Challenge Trophies and prizes for two leading teams in each division. Entry fee £1 each team. Entries close 13th March, 1944. War-time Summer League, 1944 Teams of five competitors shooting at IS, 20 or 25 yards. Teams will be placed in divisions of 12 teams according to strength. Two team prizes each division. Entry fee 10 - per team. Entries close 13th March, 1944 National Team Handicap—Own Start—1944 FOR THE I.C.I. CHALLENGE CUP AND PRIZES. Teams of four shooting at IS, 20 or 2S yards on the Choose-Your- Own Handicap system, under cup-tie knock-out principle. Entry fee 5/- per team. Entries close 13th March, 1944. Junior Spring Competition, 1944 IN TWO SECTIONS: MAJOR, under 18. M I N O R , u n d e r I S . Open to Junior Sections of Rifle Club and any Youth Organisation affdiated to the S.M.R.C., viz.. J.T.C.. A.T.C., H.G. Cadets. W.J.A.C. G.T.C., A.C.F., etc. Teams of four. 20 shots each, at IS. 20 or 25 yards. Entry fee 2/6 per team. Entries close 6th March, 1944. Industrial League, 1944 FOR FACTORY AND WORKS EMPLOYEES ONLY The I.C.I. New Challenge Cup. as illustrated in this issue, and two team prizes each division. Teams of five. 10 shots each competitor at IS. 20 or 2S yards, on ten-bull match cards of the respective ranges. Entry Fee ID/- per team. Entries close 13th March, 1944. Please apply for full conditions « S.M.R.C. Master-Shot and Marksman Badges with Club Competitions for Points Shields OBJECT.—To encourage a good average standard of marksmanship for ail members. A. B and C Classes both in Senior and Junior Sections of the Marksman. S.M.R.C. Standard of Efficiency Tests Badge OBJECT—To encourage a good average standard of marks manship. This competition is open to any member of H.M. Forces, including Home Guards and any member of a Rifle Club and is in two sections, aperture sights and open sights. Competitors may shoot only in one section. A. B and C sections for both Senior and Junior in each. For particulars apply :— THE SECRETARY, S.M.R.C., "MAYLEIGH," PETERSHAM ROAD, RICHMOND, SURREY. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKDecember, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 13 I t ' s i n t h e N e w s COL. J. J. LLEWELLIN'S APPOINTMENT. By Jack While. For manv years,—almost more years than I care to remember right up to the outbreak of War, it has been my vocation arid pleasure to record, for millions of readers of newspapers in London and in every part of the United Kingdom, the doings of marksmen, small bore and full bore, on small and big ranges, of artillery volunteers and Territorials, at targets on the seas, and ot clay- bird experts at international tournaments in England, Scotland, and Ireland. At those gatherings I have met many famous men, and have made, I hope, many friends, and, needless to say, met many "char acters," some, alas, gone to join the great majority. It gave me, there fore great pleasure to learn, in the middle of November, that one ot these friends, Col. J. J. Llewellin, had succeeded Lord \\ oolton in the great position of Food Controller of the United Kingdom in he greatest War the world has ever witnessed, and I would like to te ' j"® readers of The Rifiemaii where I met Col. Llewellin, and something a b o u t h i m a s a Te r r i t o r i a l a r t i l l e r y m a r k s m a n . . . My duties as a newspaper reporter led me to toilow in ® footsteps in recording the proceedings of the National Ar«"''®5y Association in'connection with the annual competitions lor, hrst. Volunteer artillerymen and then for Terntonal artillep' men- The chief event on the annual programme of the N.A.A., like that ot tne N R A was always of course, theKings Prize,and the formation ot the one organization followed quickly after the formationof theother, in 1860, when there was a threat of a Napoleonic invasion of these shores. The N.R.A. commenced its annual competitions on Wirnple- don Common in 1860 and migrated to Bisley Common in. 1890. The N.A.A. started its fortnightly camps and prize meetings o" m® estuary of the Thames at Shoeburyness and continued at the School of Gunnery there for a good many years. Then the event became a migratory one, and I followed the annual events o Dover, Lydd, Plymouth, Barry Island, Okehampton, Salisbury Plain and, finally to the Isle of Wight, where the coastal defence sections fought out the final competitions for the King's Prize ^^e forts at Sandown overlooking Sandown Bay. It was here 1 first had the pleasure of coming in contact with Colonel, then Major,J. J.Llewplhn. The prospective Food Minister of 1943 came over from Wey mouth as the commandant of a very smart battery of the Dorset artillery who had done wonderfully well in their preliminary quali fying practice, and were very hopeful of winning the Blue Riband ot Territorial Artillery Shooting, the King's Prize. I had the pleasure of recording, not only for the London and other papers in various parts of the United Kingdom, but also for their local newspaper, the Dorset Dailv Echo, their brilliant victory, and of congratulating and celebrating with their equally brilliant and enthusiastic battery cpnp mander Major J. J. Llewellin, a tremendously keen and and virile Territorial Artillery officer, is a fine specimen of a man, fair haired and blue eyed, a bachelor, an able lawyer, and the personificMion of good humour, good comradeship and bonhomie. He crossed the Solent with his victorious battery and the treasured trophy as happy a man as ever I saw one. T looked forward to seeing him again at Sandown the following autumn, and surely enough he came, he saw, he conquered, his battery putting up a splendid show. Came the next year. I read, before the prize meeting, Major Llewellin's battery had again made an excellent shoot in the pre liminary, and had duly qualified for the Kings Prize contest, and he and his men came over the water with a tremendous reputation. I met Major Llewellin in the fort on the morning of the great day, ana he told me he had been very pleased with the reports which had appeared in his local papers about the doings of his battery at the previous meeting, andjas he could see =1 was writing my intro tor that day's performance, very courteously asked if he coiiltl reaa what I had written for the early edition. Of course, I handed hini the " copy " which gave the record of the previous performances ot the Dorset'battery and described their great hopes of completing the treble event that day, and he was quite pleased. Of course this mes sage was for the first edition of the day's paper. _ U HiH Alas for hopes and expectations! Major Llewellin s battery did not win the King's Prize for the third time that day, and so crem®JJ N A A record. Something went hopelessly wrong, and the V? ® men'were well out of the winning. Later on, a disappointed Major Llewellin came into the little cubby hutch of the fort where we press men were writing our reports and refreshing, and, smiling a little Tovvnlirrteffiy, asked me what 1 had said about his battery's show to the Dorset Dailv Echo. So 1 handed him over the press telegram the first words of which were " Major Llewellin Crashes He read the message through, " Yes," he said " it's sad but it s true. But there s '^'^LateTMa^orUewellin became an important member of the Council of the N A.A., and I met him more frequently m London, par ticularly at the picturesque gatherings of the City Guildhall in con nection with the prize-giving functions of the wher® h® was one of the chief and talented spokesmen. \\^e met in the historic Guildhall yard after the function, where he introduced me to his Jwo pretty sisters, and we chaflTed about Major Llewellin crashes. 1 can imagine how proud those ladies are of their brother novv, and how proud too! would be the late Col. E T. Lea, hon secretary of the N.A.A., his old friend and c'??® th^W^r" Council, who was a City solicitor until his death before the Wan Barrister and solicitor, they were both intensely fond of Territorial artillery shooting. Now the barrister has a very much hi^er job. I feel sure he wifl not crash in it, but will well earn his £5,000 a year. LENS ATTACHMENT FOR 22 EYEPIECE FEATURES.-Large eyecup cutting out all side light and Htting orbit of eye "^omfortably.^.^^ correcting white, or tinted lens, e.asy to clean, with no S^^h'Jols •■TolJSre''d°^^rs- is rec^mended as designed espec^- Containerflrown1-L\e eyepiece, P r i c e o f a t t a c h m e n t o n l y u \ Price with Dlano Chromos lens 20/- tfost i/.; Correcting lens extra according to the Prescription. 6-holc eyepiece if needed .. . • 0, - © "RECTIFORM" SPORTS SPECTACLES SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR RIFLE SHOOTING incorrodible whhe metM ^ off,oo,,n, SprcU,cle.^ on reour^ r-xjorwrnc r,^ ASS reduces glare and is invaluable in a bright light. Ktlievcb the °rain. Rifle Sight and Target distinct and sharply defined in all lights SPECTACLES with round flat piano glass ... JV* c n CHROMOS SPORTS SPECTACLES with contoured glass as illustrated . K . 0 Lenses worked to prescription at additional cost. FOR SIGHT-TESTING APPOINTMENTS TELEPHONE TEM. BAR 1867. J. H. STEWARD, LTD. Opticians to the National Rifle Association (by Appt.) 406, STRAND, LONDON, W.C 2 Established 1852. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK14 T H E R I F L E M A N December, 1943. The French Model 1936 Rifle By Major R. Brown, D.S.O. Many people who took part in the 1914-18 war probably wondered why the French had such an odd-shaped car tridge. The Lebel cartridge was an adaptation of the previous cartridge, for the Gras rifle. When the Lebel first came into use, many millions of Gras cartridges .433 calibre, and loaded with black powder, were altered to .315 and re-loaded with smokeless. And it did very well until machine-guns came into use. Nobody in 1886 gave much thought to machine-guns. Thirteen years later, when we mobilised for the South African War, British battalions, which had two Maxims in peace-time, had to hand over one of them to the Militia and went to the war with one machine-gun per battalion. The Lebel cartridge, owing to its shape, was particularly unsuitable for machine guns. So in 1924, when the French produced a new machine-gun, they made a new cartridge to suit it. This one does not seem to have been altogether satisfactory, as it was slightly shortened in 1929. This new cartridge is of 7.5 mm., or .295 inch, calibre. It is rimless, and remarkably like the Swiss cartridge of the same calibre. Then in 1934 they started to convert the clip-loading rifle. Model 1907-15, into a short charger-loading rifle to take this ammunition. And in 1936 they introduced a completely new design, called " Model 1936," charger-loading, to take the 7.5 mm. rimless ammuni tion. The basic idea is the same as that of our No. 4 rifle—i.e., a mass produced aperture-sighted rifle. And it has many interesting features. Its length overall is about 40 inches—barrel 22^ inches and sight- base 23i inches. The body is similar to that of the old Lebel. This deep body is immensely stiff, and forms the sides of the magazine. The bolt is of very large diameter, 2 cm., slightly more than |-inch. As is usual in French arms the exti actor turns with the bolt. There is no separate bolt-head. The striker follows rather the Japanese pattern, and is entirely enclosed within the bolt. It has a very quick lock-time. But the most unusual thing about it is that jt is reor-locking. It has two large lugs about li inches forward from the back of the bolt. The bolt is a plain cylinder, except for the lugs and handle, which is curved forward out of the way of the trigger. At the back of the bolt is a cocking-cam, and its rear is closed by a plug rather like the Japanese one. The rifle cocks on opening the bolt. The aperture backsight is an entirely original design. It consists of a curved leaf, having the aperture in a lump at the rear end, and with a spring which always tends to raise it. It is adjusted by a slide. working in grooves at the top of the body, which holds the leaf down. As the slide is moved forward it allows the sight to rise and engages with notches cut in the top of the sight-leaf to prevent it moving. When the sight is in its lowest position projections on the sides of the slide protect the aperture. The figures for the elevation are large and clearly marked on the top of the body, along the sides of the grooye in which the sight works. Another unorthodox feature, which emphasises my remarks in t he Se pt em b er Rifl em an a b out t he s ta t em en t th a t " if a b a y o n e t couldn't be fastened to the nosccap it could only be put on the barrel " is that the bayonet is an ingenious adaptation of the old "rod- bayonet." It consists of a straight rod, 16^ inches long. The business end is of the usual French cruciform section. The handle end is round, with a knurled band to grip it by, and containing a simple catch which is the same at both ends. The bayonet is carried, reversed, in a hole running down the fore-end, with part of the handle projecting through the tube op the nose-cap. To fix it one presses the catch projecting from the handle, draws it out of the rifle, reverses it and pushes the handle down the hole. One doesn't have to fit a ring on to anything, or get a bayonet-standard into a slot, just push the thing in till it clicks. The bayonet when fixed projects 11-V inches beyond the muzzle. By this arrangement the scabbard and frog are dispensed with. The bayonet is quite handy when used as a dagger. Other details. The barrel is very stiff ; at the muzzle it is almost t h e s a m e d i a m e t e r a s t h a t o f t h e P. 1 4 a n d M . 1 7 . There are no sling-swivels. The sling ps fixed on the left side, attached to two fixed loops. There is also'another loop underneath t h e l o w e r b a n d . The foresight is a rather thick blade. It is placed far back so that the wings to protect it are part of the nose-cap, or upper band, which ever you like to call it. Its weight, complete with bayonet, is 81bs. 7ozs. —3i ozs. less than that of the S-M-L-E- Mark 3 without bayonet. It is sighted to 1200 metres, roughly 1,300 yards. Owing to the construction of the sight the slide moves over an equal distance for each 100 metres of range, and the figures on top of the body of the rifle, even on the right, odd on the left, are large and clear. The bolt is taken out by drawing it back and then pressing the trigger, which lowers the bolt-stop and allows it to be taken out. The bottom of the magazine is detachable, a press-button on the right-hand side, at the front of the platform, controls it. Other minor departures from usual French practice are pistol- grip—curved trigger—fore-end fastened to the body by a hook like that used in the Martini-Henry Mark 3, and screws without slots in the heads and which require a special screw-driver. I <3 cira=i ■- O 3 4- FRENCH RIFLE. 7.5 mm. Ca!., .295 inch. Model 1936. Drawings. No. I. Bayonet reversed, blade concealed in fore-end. Bayonet detached. Bayonet fixed. Left side of body, showing sight adjusted for 800 metres. Backsight seen from above. Adjusted to 800 metres a Aperture, b Adjusting slide, c Leaf (lines across it are notches for engaging with slide), d Charger guide. 2. 3. 4. 5. II|P 4l(»| = h cols K 1 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKDecember, 1943. 15 The News of the World" Sunday Newspaper Centenary, 1843-1943 The A^eii'.s of the World, the paper with the biggest circulation of any weekly newspaper or periodical in the world, has completed one century of life. Its career has been an extra ordinary one. After a relatively insignificant but promising youth it sank into nonentity for a fcyv decades till, some 50 years ago, it was purchased by Lascelles Carr, from its then owners. Associated with him as his legal adviser was George—sub.sequently Lord— Riddcll. Lascelles Carr appointed as editor his nephew, subsequently Sir Emsley Carr. The combination of commercial and editorial talent possessed by Lord Riddell and Sir Emsley Carr led to an immediate turn in the fortunes of the News of the World. From the early nineties it began to go ahead. Entering the new century circulation had risen to some 200,000. Within six years thereafter the first million had been reached. The opening of the Great War in 1914 saw an attainment of the second million. Another-six years lifted three million to the banner head. Shortly before the start of this war, the flag of the fourth million was hoisted. Today it is a matter of certainty that in the relatively near future, and possibly contingent only upon the com ing of peace, the astounding banner head of five millions will be flaunted. Always generous in support of the recreation of the working people it followed that in the year 1911, to help forward the ideas of F.M. Lord Roberts for civilian rifle shooting the proprietors of this great newspaper gave their first challenge cup to the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. In 1932 another followed with a very large expansion of . the annual prize lists. Immediately after the Society's offices and many of its Challenge trophies were destroyed by enemy action in May, 1941, the management of the " N.O.W. " did not hesitate a moment to replace their two trophies, which had been destroyed, whilst only this year they have provided another handsome trophy with silver replicas for the Army Cadet Force. This great team competition has attracted over 500 teams of ten boys. With all the Newspaper support we have received, no others have been anything like so com prehensive as the " N.O. W. " Therefore we know our members will universally join with us in our warm congratulations to the proprietors of this great newspaper, and give them our best wishes for a speedy arrival at the five-million weekly circulation mark. The present day personalities of progress in this great enterprise a r e g i v e n b e l o w : — ^ ' TWENTY -FOUR YEARS David Percy Davies is chairman of directors a n d e d i t o r o f N e w s o f t h e W o r l d a n d a Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t o f t h e S . M . R . C . S t a r t i n g l i f e o r i g i n a l l y o n t h e l i t e r a r y s t a f f o f h i s f a t h e r ' s p a p e r , S w a n s e a D a i l y P o s t h e subsequently turned to the law. After quali fying, he came to London with the intention of practising at the Bar. To maintain him self in those early years, he took part-time a position on the News of the World doing sub-editorial work for a couple of guineas a week. Prior to the Great War, he was for a t i m e a s s i s t a n t e d i t o r o f Ti t - B i t s . After completing his war-service—during which he secured his majority—he was called to the Bar, but deciding to stick to journalism, he rejoined News of the World as sub e d i t o r i n 1 9 1 9 . S u b s e q u e n t l y h e b e c a m e assistant to R. Power Berrey, assistant editor. On Mr. Berrey passing into semi-retirement, Mr. Davies was appointed to his place, this being about 1923. He then filled succes sively the posts of news editor, night editor and assistant editor, until finally in 1933, he was appointed deputy to Sir Emsley Carr and to the board in 1935. Following the death of Sir Emsley Carr, Major Davies was appoin ted chairman and editor. He is also a director of the Newsprint Supply Co., a J.P. for Hertfordshire, and High Sheriff of Glamorgan. D. PERCY DA VIES. H. H. ALDRIDGE. FOR TY -FOUR YEARS Harold H. Aldridge, managing director of the News of the World is now in his 44th year of service with the company. After initial training on the staff of the South ■Wales Argiis, he transferred to the News of the W o r l d d u r i n g t h e h i s t o r i c M a f e k i n g w e e k of 1900, he then being 18 years of age. Ap pointed as assistant to the then general mana ger, Edgar Fifott, he later became circulation manager, which post he held from 1910 to 1923. During these years he saw the circu- ■ lation flag reach first the two million and then the three million mark, a great tribute to the work of his department. During the greater proportion of those years he also held the chairmanship of the N.P.A. Circulation Committee. In 1923 he succeeded Mr . Edgar Fifott as general manager, and was given a seat on the board. In December, 1934, following the death of Lord Riddell, he was appointed managing_ director, and assuming that office in January, 1935, has held it, of course, since. He is a Vice-President of the S.M.R.C. FOUR TEEN YEARS Bertram F. Jones entered the newspaper business when Hulton's brought the " Daily S k e t c h " f r o m M a n c h e s t e r t o L o n d o n . T h e n 21, he was on the commercial staff as assis tant to the commercial manager. W h e n S i r E d w a r d H u l t o n s o l d h i s i n t e r e s t s to the late Lord Rothermere (with the excep tion of the Evening Standard which was b o u g h t b y L o r d B e a v e r b r o o k ) , M r. J o n e s decided to remain with the Evening Standard. At that stage—in 1924—he was staff super visor, welfare officer and adjuster of disputes, and was appointed to the Council of the N . P. A . a s t h e E v e n i n g S t a n d a r d r e p r e sentative. When he transferred to the News of the World in 1929 as assistant manager of that organisation, he continued to represent his new interests on the N.P.A. Council, so that he has the creditable record of having held that position since 1924. In 1934, in the adjustments made following the death of Lord Riddell, he was appointed manager, and in 1940 a director and general manager of the News of the World. Mr. Jones is a member of many important trade committees, including the N.P.A. Deferment Advisory Panel, the Dispersal Com mittee, the Industrial Man-Power Committee, and the Rationing Com mittee of the Newsprint Supply Co. THIR TY -EIGHT YEARS. Reginald Bezzant, F.R.G.S., M.Inst.T., C i r c u l a t i o n a n d P u b l i c i t y M a n a g e r, j o i n e d t h e N e w s o f t h e W o r l d s t a f f i n 1 9 0 5 f r o m t h e W e s t e r n M a i l , C a r d i f f . H a s held positions as Branch Manager, Publisher, and from 1927, Circulation Manager. Has been Chairman of the Sunday Newspapers Circulation Managers' Committee for fifteen years, and taken an active part in the a f f a i r s o f t h e N e w s v e n d o r s ' B e n e v o l e n t Institution, founding its fifty provincial Committees. Has seen the sale of the News of the World grow from 500,000 to its present supremacy. B. F. JONES. R. BEZZANT . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK16 T H E R I F L E M A N December, 1943., The process of Parkerifling restores to the rifle, and often improves upon, that fine accuracy which it possessed when new, thus placing in the hands of the marksman not only a super accurate weapon, but also one to which he is fully accustomed, and thereby enables him to attain the maximum results of which his skill is capable. service are Details of this Parker a v a i l a b l e f r o m t h e S O C I E T Y O F M I N I A T U R E R I F L E C L U B S T h e " i n s i d e " s t o r y WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKDecember, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 17 How to Obtain Bullet V elocities By E. J. D. Newitt. IN The Rifleman of September Major J. Powie, R.H.A., described and illustrated an ingenious device for obtaining bullet velocities. Whilst studying these matters more than 30 years ago the author noticed that the differences in the velocities of individual cartridges, particularly when they came from the same bo.\, might be a valuable index of quality. At one time the late Col. J. H. Hardcastle, R.A., was ballistic adviser to Kynoch's, who were making many thousands of .22's, then sold retail at from 8/- to 12/6 per 1,000, in the production of which, t h e r e f o r e , r i g i d e c o n o m y w a s e s s e n t i a l . I n c i d e n t a l l y, t o o . C o l . Hardcastle edited Kynoch's Magazine, which published illustrated descriptions of a variety of material of interest to the public. One of these was the device he evolved for obtaining velocities of .22's rapidly. Mis model, like that of Major Powie, embraced a weighted pendulum swung from a frame, and a formula by which, velocities could be rapidly recorded. With his permission the author made one and used it for many years with complete satisfaction. In principle, a bullet of known weight (w) is fired at a suspended pendulum bob of weight (W). A certain velocity is imparted to the pendulum by the bullet striking it. Since the mementum of the bullet equals that of the pendulum, when the velocity (v) of the pendulum is known that of the bullet can be calculated by the formula :— fW 2 7\ c W is weight of the pendulum in grains. w is the weight of the bullet in grains. c is the length of the swing imparted to the pendulum in feet. T is the time in seconds of a too and fro swing. The bob is suspended from 5 points by means of fine silk cords (ordinary silk fishing line) as shown in Fig. 1. It is important that the length of the susiiension cords should be adjustable, and this is effected cheaply by employing dressmakers' hooks and eyes. The cords are endless and pass through screwed rings in the pendulum frame and bob respectively. It should be noticed that in the fifth point of suspension the cord passes obliquely across the'other cords, and being attached to the bob as shown in the figure effectively prevents sideways movement should the bob be hit off centre. In the bob. Fig. 2, A is the iron septum, B is the spar, C are the rings, E is the receptacle. The suspension is so adjusted that it beats 2 seconds in one too and fro swing, or 30 such swings in one m i n u t e . T h i s i s T i n t h e f o r m u l a , a n d b y e m p i r i c a l l y c o m p u t i n g 1/100 of an inch for c it is possible to make a very simple scale. The preceding formula is now boiled down to :— V = 2.62 X 100 X X when x is the entire length of the swing. Example V =-- 2.62 x 100 x 3.5 = 916 foot seconds. About 1 foot of 1 '10th sectional paper about 3 inches wide is pasted to a stout board. An e.xample is shown in Fig. 3. The author, prior to shooting, lifted the frame on to one of his household tables, and fired at the bob from a table about 10 yards T W O B O O K S b y A. G. BANKS, Lieut. R.E.(T.)B.Eng., A.M.Inst.C.E. Random Writings on Rifle Shooting 7s. 6d. ; by post 8s. " Pre-eminently a book for all instructors and enthusiastic marksmen."—De/fiwcfi Magazine. " There is so much excellent material in this book that it is impossible to deal with even a small fraction of it in detail." —Game and Gun. " It is thoroughly readable."—T/ia Field. " A . G . ' s " B o o k of the Rifle Second Edition. 7s. 6d. ; by post 8s. A d d " A . G . ' s " b o o k t o y o u r l i b r a r y i f y o u a r e a n o l d h a n d . Buy it as a start to your library if you are a beginner.— E. H. ROBINSON in the N.R.A. Journal. Order from the S.M.R.C., or from JORDAN & SONS, LTD., lie Chancery Lane, W.0.2. FIG. f WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK18 T H E R I F L E M A N December, 1943r FIG. 2. away. On the scale is laid a metal rider which is pushed back as the result of the bullet striking it. Ten shots were fired at each test, the results recorded on the Form as below, and filed for reference, Many thousands of the various .22 cartridges, and myriads of air rifle pellets were thus fired in the author's garden. Date Cartridge tested. Jones & Brown's .22 rf long rifle. Pendulum reading + 20 f.s. Ve l o c i t y. D e v i a t i o n fs. 924 933 953 924 949 971 924 946 949 946 from average, fs. — 1 7 — 8 -f 12 — 1 7 — 8 - r 3 0 — 1 7 + 5 -f 8 5 941.9 Average 12.7 mean deviation from average Note. The figure 12.7 repre senting the deviation from average constitutes a good figure of merit. The example quoted were t h e v e l o c i t i e s o f a n e x c e l lent sample of R smoke less. velocity of 10 It will be noticed in the construction of Col. Hardcastle's model every item is made adjustable, by which means all prospective errors can be rectified. These are :— (1) One beat per minute + or — adds or diminishes the velocity by 8 feet per inch of c. (2) A -f- or — error of 10 w to or from W alters velocity 2.5 f.s. per inch of c. Consequently it is essential to take from the bob one of the bullets found in the receptacle as each bullet is fired into it ; moreover, when a large number of shots are fired during a test, it is desirable to re-weigh and adjust the bob occasionally. It is just as well to do everything required in these tests carefully to ensure exacti tude, since 1/lOOth of an inch of c means 2.62 fs. To rectify the loss in the speed of the bullet when flying the 10 yards between the rifle and the bob, in filling the Form the author adds 10 fs to the pendulum figures which then makes the figure as nearly " muzzle velocity " as possible, and in shooting he has an assistant replace the bob correctly over the Zero of the Scale, and take a bullet from it after each shot h a s b e e n fi r e d i n t o i t . In the figures in the Form the " Mean deviation from the average " are really the crux of the test as it signifies the size of the prospective groups, consequently in firing 10 such cartridges at 100 yards the differences of J- 30 in one shot and — 17 the next implies 5 inches of distance between the holes in the target. Moreover, there can be innumerable combinations in firing 10 such cartridges, hence the average targets are from 4 to 6 inch groups, while 2in. centuries are as rare as white blackbirds. The author himself has made and seen made 4 inch groups at 200 nevertheless, yet the average of the groups even by experienced marksmen are 12 inch to 14inch. These tests in fact verify the conclusions that .22 cartridges still leave much to be desired. It is the first and only cartridge in which the priming is in the rim of the case, it has existed quite 75 years, but in 1929 it was banned by the War Office in 1929 on the ground that it corroded the barrels quickly and could not be prevented. The manufacturers have now produced a priming which avoids corrosion, but in some other respects it is obsolete in design, and can be improved upon cheaply. SCALE For muzzle velocity add 20fs. 1834 1703 1572 1441 1310 11 7 9 1048 917 786 655 524 393 262 • v o tN r-i 131 „ " o" Zero O FIG. 3. AMMUNITION BOXES Ammunition boxes are reaching S.M.R.C. without trace of sender. It is essential that the Cluh name and number appears on the outside label. It must he understood that the credit for any returned empties does not appear on the Club account until the credit note has been issued by the Society. Mereiy deducting value when the account is paid is not sufficient. Clubs should be in possession of the credit note before the debit can be cancelied. Therefore if a credit note is not received, this is an indication that the box or boxes have not reached the Society, and the matter should be taken up with the Carriers. The same principle applies to any returns. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK19 Notes on September Number of The Rifleman. C E N T R E F I R E . 2 2 C A R T R I D G E S . On page 4 Mr. A. G. Banks speaks of people who imagine there is some magic virtue in a central fire as against a rim fire .22 cartridge. 1 don't think there would be any difference between them in the matter of accuracy. But there seem to me to be good reasons for wanting it. (1) Easy conversion of central fire weapons. Would also improve some of the systems for practice in rapid fire with arms of service type. (2) The cartridges are cleaner to handle and there is no risk of the lubrication getting scraped off in loading, or of careless people wiping it ofi", or getting grit on it. 1 know people shouldn't be careless, but they are : lots of them. (3) As all the centre fire ammunition would be non-rusting, the above-mentioned careless people wouldn't be able to spoil rifles by using buffeted caps and other atrocities in them. I am rather emphatic on this, as the Home Guard have just ruined a rifle I lent them. They were given rustless ammunition with it and told it would not need cleaning. But they got from somewhere a lot of prehistoric ammunition and didn't clean it after firing that. And when they brought it to me, saying it wouldn't shoot, and I removed a cylinder of lead from it, its bore was more like a railway tunnel than a rifle. MAR TINI-BOL T ACTION. On page 46 Mr. J. Cramb writes advocating a rifle " combining the Martini action and the bolt-action." Many arms of this kind have been produced : Winchester, Marlin, Bullard, Colt-Burgess, to name a few. The Marlin is regularly made to take .22 LR anmmuition. All have the same defect for use in a lying position ; the lever travels through an arc of 90 degrees or more. All of these except the Winchester, have tube magazines, as the movement of the lever is so long that it prevents a box-magazine being used. The Winchester gets over the difficulty by using a forked lever. I'm afraid he won't be able to make a satisfactory telescope, but he might be able to fix up his lenses as an optical sight. See The Book of the Rifle, page 98. I N E X P E R T S A N D E X P E R T S . Mr. Longhurst writes from the viewpoint of the " Tiger." My view is " Let the ' Tigers ' shoot with what they like, how they like, and at what they like," but I want to encourage the " Rabbits." The " Tigers " don't want any encouragement ; the "Rabbits " do, lots of it. In my little long-defunct country club the most popular event of the year was my competition. Nobody knew what the target was tiff they got on the range. "Our few "Tigers " shot for the fun of the thing, but not for the prize. Result, a most enjoyable day for the rabbits, who turned out en masse. My experience of a Town club was that it was run by the " Tigers " for the " Tigers," and the " Rabbits " just represented so many subscriptions towards the " Tiger's " amusement. What we want is to keep all the members interested. Mr. Longhurst says that rifle club shooting is far superior to military shooting. That is true of teams of eight, just as the Volunteers almost always used to beat the Army at Bisley ; but if you took, say, 800 rifle club members at random there wouldn't be much in it if they shot against a regular battalion, especially if rapid fire at service targets were included. Of course I mean a battalion as it is in peace time and not a war-time one diluted with hastily trained men. The whole point of " Rifles as issued " is that the " Rabbit " feels that he isn't competing against a fellow who starts with an advantage due to his superior weapon. If any Rabbit " gets too good for his class he can elect himself a " Tiger " and shoot in the superior class. I can't see any objection to using magazines for rapid competitions. The Americans use them ; all the latest American rifles are fitted with them. And remember " Twice armed is he who has his quarrel just. But thrice the one who gets his shot in fust." Do you remember the Picture in Punch March 12, 1919 ? Officer on leave : You'll be glad to have the Bisley meeting revived ? Veteran Volunteer Marksman : Yes, but there'll be some poor scoring. You see there's been no serious shooting for the l a s t f o u r y e a r s . , Some people take black-spot-shooting very seriously. But don't they ever want to try if they can hit it 15 times in a minute, or to see if they can hit a rabbit through the head ? R. BROWN. Glasgow . C.l. 11 th November 1943 To The Editor, TlwRifleman. F I N E S F O R C A R E L E S S S H O O T I N G . Dear Sir, Re your paragraph in the latest issue of The Rifleman, about fines for careless shooting, I plead guilty to the insinuation (?) that I might have had some responsibility in the initiation of the scheme. I would, however, like to correct the statement that the defaulters are members of the Insurance R.C. In point of fact the actual culprits are mem bers of the H.G., and C.D. units who make use of the range. Fur thermore, some of these sportsmen have entered into the spirit of the game to such an extent that they occasionally get up a little " sweep " among themselves, part of the cash involved being donated to the fund. The idea is not patented or copyright, and can be used freely, and, in view of the fact that the Red Cross and other funds are always happy to get the little lots of loose lucre without limit, I commend it t o t h e n o t i c e o f o t h e r c o a c h e s a n i n s t r u c t o r s : Yo u r s s i n c e r e l y, R. G. BALFOUR. Weybridge, 26r/; October, 1943 The Toitok, The Rifleman. R A B B I T S — B AT T L E - S I G H T S — C L U B R I F L E S . Dear Sir, Bdr. R. H. Coffin and Mr. J. H. Siggs raise one or two points that interest me. Actually, when residing at Newlands Corner, I had the luck to kill two rabbits with one shot, I was not trying for it, as the second one was unseen, until I went to pick up the one I had aimed at. I was shooting prone at the time. Two other curious incidents happened there also. (1)1 shot at a rabbit and heard the usual " plonk " registering a hit, he did not fall over or jump, I thought at first I had missed, but walking towards my rabbit, I saw no move, but when within 3 yards, he sprang about 2 to 3 feet in the air and dropped, dead. (2f I hit a rabbit and he bolted for his hole, I cussed as I hate wounding and losing. I saw him actually enter his hole, and before I could turn away out he bolted and dropped stone dead. I had a second similar experience only No. 2 ran quite 30 yards, another loss! but I was so sure of a hit, I went back to the run after about 15 minutes and there was No. 2 also dead. I was using a B.S..^,. 8 and I.C.I. all range ammo. As for deflection, I saw a member of our club aim at and hit a rabbit on our range, it was wounded only. I went into the bushes and found it, smashed hind qtiarters. I broke its neck. This happened about 15—20 yards from our hut, on opening up, I smelt paraffin oil. That shot had hit the rabbit, passed the joint m two deal boards, passed through two tin cans, one full of paraffin oil, one empty. The point is this, the angle of the hut from the line of fire was quite 25 degrees. Please thank Maior Underhill for his very clear explanation of the use of the PI 7 battle sight. I wish it was in every H.G.'s hands, and head. We have the PI7 and have the greatest difficulty in getting men to understand that point. I had 32 men on our range yesterday morn ing. for grouping and application with the " Ross " rifle, a fine rifle for target work, but a beast for field service. In reply to K. E. Foster, he raises points that I should like to see thrashed out. (1) A man who can shoot with a .22 can and does make a good .303 shot. I had a sample yesterday. .A boy I have had in the club about 12 months shot for us in a match yesterday with .303 This was onlv his second or third shoot with full bore, he only dropped 7 points ; 5 group, 5 application, 5 rapid, possible 60. Small bore is the finest teacher of hold, pressure, concentration and breathing. Why should a man get a poss. because one shot hangs on by its eyebrows ? Let it be a definite cut the line, you do not put a man out of action by cutting his ear or grazing his skin. If you used the metric there would stiff be the .22 and .25 gauge. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >