RIFLE SHOOTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 252, 24 October 1934, Page 18

RIFLE SHOOTING.

CONDITIONS AT PENROSE. PREPARATION'S FOR MILITARY MEETING. Penrose rifle range was in one of its worst moods on Saturday last, lhe City and Akarana Clubs were scheduled to shoot at 800 and 000 yards, but owing to the strong winds one of the large targets was broken olf the post, and competitors decided to abandon the competition. Only three targets were available at tho short ranges (not sufficient tor the clubs), the balance being in use by machine gunners and territorials, who are putting in solid practice for the military meeting to be held on November 17 and 24 The clubs have been allotted targets on the 200 and 300 yards next Saturday, and as this will be the only "service practice before the military meeting, full advantage should be taken by riflemen to get their service rifles correctly zeroed. Only service pattern rifles will be allowec. in the military competitions.

The writer intends from time to time to give a few hints which may be of some help to followers of the sport, particularly young shots. This issue will be confined to positions in firing. The progress of a young shot depends a good deal on his learning from the first to take up and to keep good and suitable firing position. For unless his body be in a steady and comfortable posture there is very little chance of steady, regular control of the rifle. There are certain essentials that must not be neglected, The heart niust be free to beat without difficulty, and every part of the body get its full allowance of blood. Tight-fitting clothes make good shooting impossible. The breathing must be free and deep. Everything that checks the breathing or flow of blood must be avoided. A tight tunic, tight armholes, tight collar, tight belt, full stomach, aerated drinks, indigestion, doubled-up position—anything and everything that can prevent free circulation —will tend to spoil scores. In lying down, the body should be partly across the line of fire at about an agle of 45 degrees. It should be really down on the ground—not propped iip on the elbows. Watch some of the old shots get down, They don't prop up like a heron on the mud; not even to look at the'score board. Others will do that if you make enough "fives."

In the military position, without a sling, the elbow should be straight under the rifle, but with a sling the elbow should be well spread. The mere sprawling ot the elbow, however, sometimes in one place and sometimes in another, is of no gain to anyone. The learner should adopt a modification of the position which best suite his own build, and then, having got a good position, he should take care to keep it. In the ordinary prone position the rifle should be well down in the hollow of the left hand, not perched up on the fingers. The hand should be as far forward as it can comfortably reach, but not further. Elevation should be corrected by moving the shoulder or the rifle on it, rather than by raising the hand. Once a man has settled down to a good position he should not fidget about, but keep it. Many scores are spoiled by changes of position. It is never advisable to lean the head sideways more than can be helped when aiming. i