CONDITIONS AT BISLEY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 304, 17 September 1921, Page 12

CONDITIONS AT BISLEY

a RIFLEMAN VENNELL’S EXPERIENCES. "I found that tho light at Bisley was different from what I had been used to in Now Zealand, and tho visibility was not nearly so good," stated Rifleman E. Vennell, the New Zealand champion ehot, on returning to Masterton after competing nt Bisley. “Tim shooting continued till late in the-evening, and was against the setting sun. Tho method of three men going down at once was also new to mo. Practice shots were sold at 4d. each, and each competitor was allowed two, but could not count tho value of these shots. Shooting was so slow that practically every shot was a sighter. In New Zealand up to 600 yards ten shots have to bo fired in ten minutes, but it took three men fifty-five minutes l at ono range at Bisley. The double-arm sling is not allowed, and not being used to the single-arm sling, I was apt to twist tho rifle. In practice black powder is used, and cordite for tho King’s Prize. Cunningham finished twenty minutes after all tho others had fired for the King’s Prize, and he had so much leeway to make up that no ono realised ho could win. I managed to get into the final 160 for tho’ King’s Prize, and had I not missed my first five shots at 1000 yards I would have been in the final thirty, as I was only 21 points behind. The- ammunition used in the service rifle is an absolute failure, and the long rifle is two points better than the short one, all experienced marksmen say. The cordite is so severe on the rifle that it loosens tho bolts. I did not find this out. but was informed by a Canadian. I have gained a lot of experience, and if a man goes from New Zealand next year I can give him a lot of useful information.”