6. Commencing Practice.—No man will load, or assume a firing position, until the senior officer present has ordered the practice to commence. After firing, men will return to the loading position, but will not open the breech in the deliberate practices until the last shot has been signalled. If it is necessary to suspend firing, all men who are in position will raise the safety-catch (or unload if no safety-catch is provided), until the order is given to resume the practice.
7. Important Rules.—(i) Loading.—Loading will always be through the magazine.
(ii) Sling.—Dependence on the sling should be discouraged, and it will not be used for steadying the rifle in range practices.
(iii) Rifle.—No soldier equipped with a rifle is permitted to fire with any but his own.
(iv) Sighting Shots.—No sighting shots are allowed.
(v) Men will fire singly, never in twos or threes.
8. Shots to verify Wind or Elevation.—Occasional shots to verify elevation or strength of wind, or to prove the accuracy of a rifle, may sometimes be fired by an officer or non-commissioned officer, with the senior officer’s permission. They will not be fired during classification practices or standard tests. Notification of their commencement and conclusion will be made to the officer in the butts by telephone, signal, or bugle-sound. The target in use will be lowered and checked, and a clean one raised for the occasional shots. When they are completed, it will be lowered and checked, and the original target raised for the firer to complete his rounds.
9. Resting Arm or Rifle.—A coat or waterproof-sheet may be used to protect the uniform, but except when firing from cover, or when rests are authorized, neither rifle, forearm, wrist, nor hand, is to rest against anything, or to be supported.
10. No one is allowed at the firing-point, except the men actually firing, the instructors, and officers. All non-commissioned officers and men not on duty at the firing-point will ground or pile arms, and remain not less than 30 yards in rear of the firing-point. No shouting is allowed; men next to fire will be brought up by signal.
11. Instruction during Intervals of Firing.—(i) During intervals of firing an opportunity should be given occasionally to all ranks for revising their impressions as to the visibility of the human figure at short distances, by placing men on the firing-platforms up the range. The study of visibility under conditions of known distance and in relation to targets used for practice in shooting is especially valuable.