Musketry (.303 and .22 cartridges) / Elementary training, visual training, judging distance, fire discipline, range practices, field practices

by Unknown

CHAPTER VIII
CONDUCT OF RANGE AND FIELD PRACTICES

Section 55.—Thirty Yards Ranges.

1. When no classification range is available, elementary practices with service ammunition may be carried out on a 30 yards range. Such practice will render recruits familiar with the discharge of the rifle, and improve their trigger release under easy conditions. No practice will take place unless an officer or experienced serjeant is present.

2. Precautions for Safety.—All precautions for safety will be taken. Loading, in all positions except lying, will be carried out with the rifle held just above the waist, and the muzzle directed towards the target. Charging or uncharging magazines is not to be carried out with the muzzle pointing upwards.

3. Practices.—Practice at vanishing, moving, and landscape targets can be carried out as on miniature ranges, but with service ammunition. Long-range sighting-targets should be provided as a means of ascertaining the error of the rifle, and practice may be carried out with long-range sights.

Section 56.—Grouping Practices.

1. One firer will be detailed to each target, and fire five shots, maintaining the regulation point of aim throughout. Targets will be changed, and a second detail of men will fire similarly. Both details will then proceed to the targets, see their groups measured, and note the positions of the points of mean impact with reference to the points aimed at. If it is impracticable to proceed to the targets, the group may be marked by means of small spotting-discs (see also Appendix, VI, para. 2, note 3).

2. Rules for Measuring Groups.—(i) The groups will be measured with wire rings, 4, 8, and 12 inches in diameter, counting 25, 20, and 15 points respectively; 10 points will be allowed for a 12-inch group with one wide shot.

(ii) The ring which will contain all the shots will be recorded as the measure of the group. A shot-mark is included within a ring when it cuts the circumference of the largest circle which can be described within that ring by means of a pencil held at right angles to the target.

(iii) All shot marks found on a target will be included in the group to be measured. No points will be allotted to a group unless there are five shot-marks at least on the target. If more than five shot-marks are found on the target, there will be no score, and the practice will be repeated.