PART I

Care of Arms, Grouping and Range Practices:

It is essential that the Sniper shall have a really clean rifle if he is to obtain the extreme accuracy that is required of him. By a clean rifle I mean a rifle in the cleaning of which not only have all the normal precautions been taken, but, in addition, the bore has received a very high polish. This high polish is of great importance to accurate shooting, and to be efficient as a Sniper you must be far more accurate than the average Service Shot. Hence the necessity for going rather deeply into Care of Arms.

Avoidable Causes of Inaccuracy:

OILY BARREL:

Is a great cause of inaccuracy, as the resistance offered to the bullet in its passage down the bore is varied, and thus the shooting of the rifle becomes inconsistent.

OILY BREECH:

This prevents correct “seizing” in the breech, and tends to lead to a blow-back. If a blow-back occurs there is a loss of driving power, muzzle velocity is decreased and accuracy is lost.

CORDWEAR:

Is caused by misuse of the pull-through, and usually occurs at the muzzle, but in cases of extreme negligence it may be found in the chamber. When it occurs at the muzzle, gases escape through the cord groove as the bullet is leaving, thus forcing it in the opposite direction. If in the chamber, it is a source of weakness, and a burst chamber may be the result.

FIXING THE BAYONET:

Musketry Regulations inform us that with the “S.M.L.E.” the effect of fixing the bayonet is to throw your shot 18 inches high at 200 yards’ range. This is because the extra weight slows down the vibration, and thus converts a negative into a positive jump. Hence, as a Sniper, you will fire without your bayonet fixed.

(Note:—From tests carried out at this First Army School of S.O.S. it would appear that Musketry regulations greatly over-estimate the effect caused by fixing the bayonet.)

HOLD:

Unless the Sniper reproduces the same hold for each shot and when he rests his rifle rests it always at the same point (for preference the middle band), his shooting can never be consistent.

AMMUNITION:

Different makes of S.A.A. give slightly different elevations on the target. This is because the Powders burn at different rates, thus slightly altering the jump.

WARPED WOODWORK:

The fore-end is fitted so as not to influence the barrel when firing. The barrel must be able to lie perfectly straight as each shot leaves it. If the fore-end is warped (and warped fore-ends are common) the barrel will be unable to lie as was intended, and erratic shooting will result.

CAUSES:
PREVENTION OF:

Oil all woodwork daily, ensuring that the oil penetrates between the hand-guard, fore-end and barrel.

CURE OF:

Armourer refits fore-end.

Some Unavoidable Causes:

NICKELLING OR METALLIC FOULING:

Is really an obstruction in the bore caused by a portion of the envelope of the bullet becoming brazed on the surface of the bore. It is a cause of great inaccuracy, and its presence should always be looked for. When found, it must be removed. This should be done by an Armourer.

EROSION:

Is the gradual increase in the size of the bore, and is caused through the heat generated by the gases slightly fusing the metal. The gases rushing over the metal carry away minute particles of the steel. This is the factor which decides “The Life of the Barrel” for purposes of real accuracy.

DRIFT:

Is the continual deviation of the bullet in the direction of the rifling. About one minute, i.e., one inch per 100 yards, must be allowed for this at the longer ranges in sniping.

Other Definitions:

SUPERFICIAL FOULING:

The fouling that appears in the bore immediately after firing. It is then quite soft and easily removed, but if allowed to remain, it becomes hard, difficult to remove and, by attracting moisture from the air, begins the rusting process.

INTERNAL FOULING:

Fouling that actually gets below the surface of the metal when firing; this gradually sweats its way to the surface and should be removed as it appears.

(Note:—If cleaned with really boiling water, the pores are reopened, internal fouling is removed, and thus the cause of sweating is done away with. The Barrel must, however, be dried immediately, or the cure will be worse than the complaint.)

CORROSION:

Is the black pock-mark or indentation left in the bore after removing rust.

CLEANING RODS:

Finally it is suggested that a cleaning-rod properly used is better than a pull-through: each Battalion is authorized to hold 32 of these Rods on Charge. (See G.R.O.’s 512, 540 and 2,094.)

Grouping and Range Practices:

It must be understood that Grouping with the Open Sights is a definite test of (a) the rifle, and (b) the man.

Grouping is a practical system of locating faults, and it is of the utmost importance that such faults, having once been located, should at once be corrected. It should also be clearly understood that a man’s average group at a given range, i.e., 100 yards, will (except for the error of the day) be the measure of his capacity at all ranges. For instance, if his average at 100 yards be a 3-inch group, his best standard will be a 6-inch group at 200 yards, 9-inch group at 300 yards, 12-inch group at 400 yards, and so on.

Unless this fact is clearly understood, we shall have our men making shot corrections when actually shooting up to standard, and if this is done, consistent shooting can never be obtained.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM A GROUP:

1. If a man makes a vertical group it is fairly safe to assume that he is making one of the following errors:

2. If he makes a lateral group his error will be usually found among the following:

3. If he gets a good group, but wide of the aiming mark, it will be safe to assume that his rifle is throwing wide and should be corrected at once by alteration of fore-sight. For this reason the Armourer or other qualified person should be present when grouping is being carried out.

4. If a man’s shots are widely scattered, it will be necessary to carry out the Analysis of faults, i.e.:

You should by this time have discovered the fault, but remember it is of no use having found it unless you can cure it before proceeding further.

5. If the rifle be correct the point of Mean Impact should be 5 inches above the point of Aim. If incorrect the fore-sight should be altered. The following can be got on indent for this purpose.

RANGE PRACTICES:

Nothing definite can be laid down on account of the lack of uniform targets, ranges, etc., but the following hints may be of value:

1. If a liaison be cultivated between Battalion Sniping officers in the Brigade, it will be easy to improvise a Range and Target for the use of the Battalion in rest.

2. When in divisional rest it is usually possible to find a Range ready for use in the Training Area.

3. Excellent work and all Zeroing can be done on even a 30-yard range by the really keen officer.

4. Training in shooting should be carried out with an Open and not a Telescopic sighted rifle, which should be kept for:

It is important that the barrels of these rifles should not be worn out in practice shooting.

5. All training should be made progressive and where possible competitive.

6. The first essential is extreme accuracy, after which the Instructor must coach up for rapid snapshooting, the ultimate standard being looked upon as the ability to get off a really good shot under two seconds.

7. Always start with a Grouping Practice and eliminate faults as they are discovered.

8. Re zero Telescopic sighted rifles: to ascertain that they have maintained their correctness each time you are out of the trenches, and arm only your best shots with these rifles.

9. Improvise cover on the Range and make all Snipers’ fire practices under as near as possible Service Conditions.

10. Although normally he will not fire Rapid, keep your sniper efficient in this valuable art.

11. You may at any time become a casualty, therefore train your N.C.O.’s to carry on in your absence.