Miniature Rifles

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 32, 7 August 1934, Page 16

Miniature Rifles

(By "Elevation.")

FIXTURES. New Zealand Championships—July 10-Angust 11. ~ Witcombo and Caldwell Cup CompetitionAugust 20-Septcmbor 1. Osmond and Ladles' Shields: Second Round: August 27 to Soptembor 1. MATCHES FOR NEXT WEEK. A Grade. Seventh Round.—W.W.M.C. v. Aotea, August 14; South v. Brooklyn, August U; Public Service v. Harbour Board, August 16; Hutt, a bye. C Grado. Seventh Kound.—"Evening Post" v. Railway 2, August IS; Public Servlco 1 v. Brooklyn, August 14; South v. Hutt, August 14 •' Railway 1 v. Potono Ladies, August la; Hallway Ladles v. Public Servico 2, August 15; Aotea v. Hutt Ladles, August lv. A GRADE—SIXTH ROUND. Hutt 481 beat Public Servico 470. South 481- beat Harbour Board 470. Aotea 476 drew with Brooklyn 47G. W.W.M.C., a bye. _ —. Hutt, by beating Public Servico in this round, have won tho A grade championship. They have a bye in tho last round, and no other, team can reach their championship score of 11 points. . There was a much-needed and a distinct improvement in the standard of shooting In this round, tho 42 riflemen aggregating 2800 potnts. only three below their best previous performance, giving an individual average of US 10 For the second occasion a draw resulted, thi3 time between Aotea and Brooklyn. There does not appear to be much chance or tho A grade reaching last year's mean (record) average of 08.05. The mean average to date is 67.83 and to como up to last year s standard would necessitate an aggregate score of 2904, an individual average of 09.38. Hutt and Public Service secured the best combined score, 057, which is only three points below the best for tho season. This is the third time that Hutt with their opponents have secured the best combined scoro. There were 29 scores of 68 and over—b possibles, two in each match, seventeen b9 s, and six 6S's. The number of 69's is a record for tho season. Tho possibles were secured by D. Robertson (Ilutt), H. V. Croxton (Public Service), R. Congrevo (South), L. Fellingham (Harbour Board), A. J. Westwood, and P. Chandler (Brooklyn). The following aro .tho individual scores :-r Hiitt.—D. Robertson 70, L. S. Hare, C 9, I. B. Goldfinch 09. E. W. Veltch 69, C. C Lambert'M. J. Ross 68, F. Ching 87. Total) 481. Public Service.—H. V. Croxton .0, W Gibson 69, L. R. Poutawora- 68. K. N. Bromley G8 W. A. Nicholson 6S. W. I. Hendry. b7, A. R. Craig 66. Total, 476. South.—R. Congreve 70, A. Mac Dona 1C 9, It. Boddy 69. J. Culling 69, T. McNab 69, Bert' 69; J. Ross 68, F. Chlng 67. Total 481. Harbour Board.—L. Felllngbam 70. W. V. Phtlpott 69, It. H. Nicholl 69. T. McGill 66. DPhilpott 60, H. Weeds 63, J. Bell 65. Total. 47A6tca.-P.' Stewart 69, F; Harris 69. J._J. Chapman 69, 11. R. Hunt 69, J. E. Pitt.69. fr. Monk 67, J. P. Corder 64. Total. 4. b. Brooltlyn.-A. J. Westwood 70. P. Chandler 70. G. Jensen 69. V. Abbott 6S. W. Lock G.. X Bunting 67. M, HoQlens 65. Total. 4.b. POSITION OF TEAMS. M. W. L. B. Pts., Arc. Aver. Hutt 6 !i 0 1 It 2881 65.00 S* ■•■•• II I I £'ss?g So? WWMC'"" 5 2 IS 0 4 2362 67.49 Service ..5 2« 0 4-2890 07.40 narbourßoard .5.0 a 0 0 23j1 Of.±< C GRADE—SIXTH ROUND. ' "Evening Post" 461 beat Railway Ladies 436. Hutt 459 beat Petone Ladies 417. Railway 1 456 beat Brooklyn 4»i. Aotea 455 beat Public Service 1 429. Railway 2 439 beat Hutt Ladies 401. South 432 beat Public Servico 2 414. .' There was a very' severe decline In the standard of marksmanship in this round. The $4 riflemen'aggregated'only 5280 points, a decrease of DO' on the previous round. IMS "ives nn individual average of 62.5 G. against 64.04 In the previous round. Thero _ has been all through the season a: marked diverganco from last season's averages; all round averages except ono aro much lower. me averages for comparative purposes aro (last year,in parentheses) :-Round 1. 61.62 (63.86) : round 2, 62.46 (63.41) : round 3. 63.3T (63.77): round 4, 63.80 (63.05) : round 5. 04.04 (64.66) : round G. 62.86 (64.00). There appears to ho no reason why these scores should be so low. as all the teams are capable of a scoro of 450 and five a score of 400 and Tlie honours for tho best combined score, 907. go to Railway 1 and Brooklyn. Hutt and "Evening Post" still remain undefeated and havfl a two-point lead over the next team, Aotea. • • The result of tho match between Railway 2 and Hutt Ladles is not yet to hand, but it Is understood that it was a win for the Hallway team by 439 to 431. Excluding this match there were 24 scores of 66 or over— one 69 (Purvis. Ilutt). ten OS's, sir G7's, and seven 66's. The number of 68's is a season's record. Tho highest ladies' score was a 69 secured by Mrs. Hi-arno (Aotoa). The following are the individual scores: — "Evening Post."—H. Whyte 6S. L. Houghton 68. R. Worts 68. J. Tindle 66, A. Goldsborough 65. R. AHeh 64, W. Hanley 62. Total, 4GI. Railway Indies.—Miss Armstrong 65, Miss Cnnlon 65, Miss Wind 64. Miss Cook 64. Mrs. Cook 64. Miss Sheridan 57, Miss Borlasso 57. Total, 436. Hntt.-JPurvis 69. Whitman 68. Brown, sen.. KG. Hall 65. Wlckhnm 65, Slssons 63, Brown, jun., 63. Total, 459. Petone Ladles.—Miss Wilson 66, Miss Gregnry 65. Miss Scales 64. Miss Scott 61, Mrs. Bryan 61. Mrs. Heeney 55, Miss Barr 41. Railway I.—o. R. Wilson 68, O. E. Dormer 68, C. W. Venimore fiR. R. O. Pearce 66. G. W Lako 64. T). O. Williams 62, K. McDiarmld 60. Total, 456. Brooklyn.—E. Annabell 68, Miss A. Cockroft' 67, Miss H. Whltcombe 66. Sirs. Raddon 66, Mrs. Walsh 65, Miss D. Harrison 60, J. Tweedio 59. Total, 451. Aotea.—Mrs. Hearno 68, H. Lnng 67, P. Stewart 67. R. TJawson 67. Miss Smith 65. J. Heegerty 62, Miss Saunders 59. Total, 455. Public Service I.—Rlgg 67, Payne 6a, Miss Kotlowskl 65, McCullock 64, Miss Furlong 63, Hemlrn. 58, Peters 57. Total, 429. Railway 2, 439; Hutt Ladies, 431. Result card not to hand. South.—Snellgrovo 68. P. Evans 6G. Dunce CB. Farmer G3, Costello 62, Wells 58, Williamson 49. Total, 432. : Public Service 2.—Miss Martin 65. Platmtv 64. Mlsk Tucker, C 2, Steere Gl, Wondbridpo 59. Miss Marshall 54, ■ Miss Stewart 49. Total, 414. ' • POSITION OF TEAMS. M. W. L. Pts. Aim. Aver. Hutt 6 fi 0 12 2771 65.98 "Evening Post" . C 6 0 12 2698 64.24 South R T, 1 10 2667 63.50 Aotea fi 'I 2 S 26(58 65.52 Railway 1 .6 4 2 8 2579 62.90 Brooklyn 6 3 3 6 2709 64.50 Public Servico 1 S 3 3 C 2575 62.80 Petono Ladles ... 6 2 4 4 2624 * 02.48 Rniiway 2 ...?.. 6 2 4 4 2019 61.09 Railway Ladles . 0 15 2 2658 63.29 Hutt1 Ladles .... fi 0 6 0 2569 .61.16 Public Service 2 0 0 6 0 2531 60.20 BROOKLYN CLUB. The quarterly ■ shoot for tho Holcroft Shield took placo on Wednesday. It resulted in a win for Jfr. Abbott's team by a margin of 9 points. This team takes tho shield and each man receives an ammunition trophy. Tho winning Bcoro was 333. Three teams (C. Hofflen3'. Cockroft's. ana Lock's, tied for second place with 324. Westwood's team was fourth with 323. Tho following are the scores of the winning team: —Abbott (captain) 49. .Tensen 49. Wannell 48, Christie 47, Leckle 48. Mrs. Tucker 48. Inkster 44. Total, 333. Wcsfwood and Bunting secured tho only possibles (50). ■ The second round of the handicap resulted as follows: —A grade: C. Hofflens, 695.71, 1; O. Bodriy. 895.50, 2. B grade: Mrs. Greatliead, 695.62, 1; Miss Whltcombe, 694.99, 2. O grade: E. Harrison, G95.51, 1; T. Lawton, 695.45, 2. The leading scores for tho Morris and Swindpn Points Cups are:—Ladies: Raddon 29, Greathead 28%. Lawton 26V£. Men: Westwond 27/2, Boddy 24 1/-;; Chandler 21. Tho final series for the championships commence this week. KARORI CLUB. Tho "Evening Post" Club were guests of the Karori Club at a very enjoyable social evening on the association range last Thursday. Over 00 members of both clubs and their friends were present. The shooting took placo on the novelty "golf" targets. The teams were

of 20 each and the final results (unc stroke play) proved a very close finish, interest being kept up until Ihe last squad shot. The scores ivcro Karort HO, "Kvcnlng Tost" 113, a win for Karori by three "strokes." . The "bogey" (or standard) for the target. is four shots and one under "bogey" (a possible) is called a "birdie." No less than eight riflemen, four out of eacli club, secured "blrdlcs." These were Worts, Allen, McDowall, and (ioldsborough ("livening Tost") and Frankiand, Drake, Haase, and Doro (Karori). Miss llargreaves ("Evening Tost") returned the best Indies' card After supper Mr. Haaso welcomed the visitors and presented trophies. "Evening Tost" defeated Karori at table tennis. Dancing was held until midnight, with music from the "Evening Post" orchestra, interspersed with items by a Maori quartet. Next Thursday a start wiJI be mado with tho socond championship series—seven shoots, five to count. The A and B Trophy Shields for tho first series will be presented during' tho evening. , ONSLOW CLUB. A social night was held last Tuesday. There was a good attendance, and a ten-shot competition without slings was won by Mr. L. Wright with Si (ex 90). Mr. Mattingly was second, with 76. Miss P. Butt secured tho highest ladles' score, 70. Tho B team is shooting "against South at the Winter Show range tonight. PETONE LADIES' CLUB. A competition was finalised last week, covering two shoots, 7 shots marked, followed by throo "blaze away." In the A grade Miss K. Gregory and Hiss Scott tied with 194 and tho latter won the shoot-off. The trophy was presented by Mr. Liebezeit. The B grade trophy, presented by Mrs. Marsdcn, was won by Miss N. Gregory with 188. Members were entertained at tho club last week by Mrs. Wild, who having been an active member for 19 years has now been elected a life member. Mrs. Wild thanked members for honouring her. Mrs. Marsden (president) cut tho cake which was decorated with the club colours, and asked all to toast their senior member. A pleasant evening was brought to a close with the singing of 'Tor She's a Jolly Good Fellow." PUBLIC SERVICE CLUB. The result of the first quarterly inter-club competition, for which ammunition prizes are given. Is as follows:—W. A. Nicholson 492.0'!, A. S. Balllngcr 492.4, A. V. G. Wilson 491.15, L. V. Peters 491.1, 11. V. Croxton 490.8. Several other members were, closo behind in tho final scores. Ladles: Mrs.■•. Croxton 492.11,; Mrs. Bromley 48S.U, Mrs. Furlong .488.1, Miss Hitchcock 483.3. . . . .. During tho week the following competition shoots were'recorded:—ll. V. Croxton 100. L. R. Poutawera 90, 98, Miss Martin, C. A. Furlong 98, A. S. Baliinger and .1. 11. Croxton 97. SOUTH CLUB. Tho results for the competition to the end of July are:—Morris Cup competition (possible 980) :' It. Cou'grore, '.111, 1; P. Congrevo, 3(19, 2. Franklyn Shield (possible 490) :"R. Congrcve.' 48ti, 1; T. McXab, 484, and R. Hoddy, -IS:!, 1—48.1 (equal). 2. July Comneti'tlou, A grade (possible 2SO) : It. Cougrevo, 270, 1; It..Boddy, 270. i. B grade: Ten tied for the two trophies, H. Lane, 274, 2—27G; C. Nyberg, 273, 3—270; F. Costello, 272, 4—27(i; \V. Cram-oil. 270, C—27G; M. Evans, 200. 7— 276; J. Lane, 2U7, 9—270; W. Spencer, 2U3, 11 —27G; J. Snelgrove; 262, 11—270; 11. Costello, 259, 17—270; and M. Wills, 255, 21—27 G. This tie will be shot otV tonight. Junior Sllv.er Badge: This was again won by IT. Lane with tho excellent ritlo score of 274., 110 also won the Telegraph Ccrtitlcato awarded for highest rifle score by new members. The Costello Cup shoot resulted in a tie between nine members, and tho shoot-off was won by I!. Congrcve, with W. Spencer secoiid. EXPERIMENTS IN PRONE SHOOTING. Writing in tho "Rlileman," tho official organ of the-Society of Miniature Itlfle Clubs, London, Mr. A. G. Banks says:— There is only one essential to successful shooting. That essential Is to do exactly the same thing, in all matters, for every shot. It sounds very simple, but the "dominating word" as "Beachcomber" would say, is that word "exactly." It would not matter if you wobbled provided you wobbled to exactly the satno degree and at the same moment in every sequence. It would not matter if you "pulled" or aimed Incorrectly, provided tho amount of pull, or of error, never varied. ' The point is that if you do any of these things, thoy always do vary in amount from shot to shot. Tho amount. cannot be controlled with any certainty. Thereforo such errors must be eliminated altogether. What remains to bo done is sufficiently difficult. Of tho threesubjects to be studied iv prone—holding, aiming, and trlgger-prcssiu'g—the first Is geuorally given the least thought. Actually it Is by far the most abstruso and difficult, for reasons which I will endeavour to explain. It must first be realised that a riflo is by no means the solid, unyielding tool it appears. In operation, it is a highly delicate instrument, sensitivo to tho slightest, variation in handling. When the eliargo explodes, high pressures are set up, causing & backward movement of thn barrel, known as "jump" (quite distinct from the subsequent recoil), and a wave-vibration known as "flip." Even iv the heaviest barrels and lightest charges Iheso movements occur; and the eventual path of the bullet relative to the centre lino of tho bore depends on tho amount and the manner In which they aro interfered with by tho holding of the rifle. Thus, if the riflo bo laid in a six-point rest and aimed at a mark, with aperture and ring sights, the group of uhots resulting will bo tbo best the barrel is capable of producing. . If the rifle be then held in a. vice and aimed at tho same mark, it will produce an equal group, but the centre of the group will be at a different place on the target. If the rifle be then flred by an expert shot, taking the samo aim, the group will bo practically as rood, but will bo at a different point on tho target from either •of the others. Finally, if ten shots bo fired one each by ten* different experts of equal ability, taking tho same aim and assuming that they all aim perfectly, tho result will not bo worthy of tho name of "graup" at all. It will bo a "tea-cake." For a riflo never shoots to exactly tho same centre In the hands of different men, except by chance. Using aperture and ring sights, which give very littlo or no chance of two different alms being taken by two different men, I have at different times got two expert shots both iutornationals, to shoot with my riflo when perfectly \ sighted by mo to see how much tho position of their groups would bo out of the centre. In tho case of one man wo found that his group kept tho same line as mine, but camo half a degree lower, whllo with the other tho group came a full degreo higher and half a degreo left. The differences between one man's aim and another's using a blade foresight may bo much greater than the differences duo to their holds. Eyesight plays curious tricks. Thusi making a test with the first gentleman mentioned (whoso holding only differs from .mine by one degree of elevation) we found that with a blade foresight his group was four decrees below and threo degrees left, of mine, although we both swore we wero aiming at six o'clock, and both targets wero "possible" groups I I only instance these differences of group duo to tho different' holds and aims of different men to emphasise the fact that if ono men varies his holding, or, of course, his own aim, it will in tho samo way movo the position of the Impact of tho shot or group. This fact as regards aiming Is, of course, generally realised. As regard holding, most ■ riflemen realise that a definite change in position during a series in undesirable; but what is not, perhaps, so well understood is the effect of that factor of tho holding, any change in which is Invisible except iv its effect, i.e., the muscular action involved. '< For the highest class of shooting, not only the position from shot to shot must be iiivarlible, hut the use mado of the muscles must also be' invariable. The question is what variations are most likely to arise, and how can their elimination best bo reduced to a system? ■ ■ .-. This, I will endeavour to answer; and in this present introduction will only remark that iv order to copo with modern requirements,' I have found it necessary to alter in many respects tho system which I found good enough in 1908. ' "EVENING POST" CLUB. Owing to inclement weather the attendance at the "Evening Post's" shoot last night fell away somewhat. The best scores for tho evening were registered by S. Fife—who scored his first "possiblo"—R. Allen, V. Cliil, and R. Otton, CO. In tho club championship F. Wcldou is in the lead, closely followed by IT. Nickless. Miss 11. McNlcol is leading in the handicap aggregate and she also heads the ladles' aggregate. The intermediate team were unsuccessful against P.W.M.C. last night.