Miniature Rifles

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 50, 28 August 1934, Page 16

Miniature Rifles

(By "Elevation.")

FIXTURES. Osmoml and Ladies' Shields.—Second Itound: .August 27 to September 1. \Yitcombo nnd Caldwell Cup Competition— I September 3-15. ] MATCHES FOR NEXT WEEK. I B Grade—Section B: A shoot-off between Hutt and Petono Central takes place on the P.W.M.C. range on Wednesday, September 5. -Section A: W.W.M.C. v. Brooklyn 2, September 4; Brooklyn 1 v. Public Service 1, September 5; Harbour Board v. "Evening Post," September '<; Fort Nicholson Ladies v. Onslotv, September G; Public Service 2 v. South, September i!; Aotea a bye. I GRADE—HUTT THE CHAMPIONS. In tho shoot-on1 last Tuesday between P.W.M.C. and Hutt tho latter secured the. victory by a margin of 11 points. Tho scores wero Hutt 481. P.W.M.C. 470. Since this grado was established iv 1932 botli Hutt and P.W.M.C. havo been the finalists each year, P;W.M.C. coming out on top on tho two prevvious occasions. . Tho . standard of shooting throughout this season has been on a much higher piano than previously and makes a new record for this grade. Tho mean avcrago for this season is 117.47 and coinparos most favourably with thoso of tho previous seasons, 67.02 in 1932 and 66.87 in 1933. A rather. striking comparison of this reason's average with tho record round average 6G.67 put up in 1032 gives cause for wonder why with a mean average 'so high tho record round average was not broken, but this is explained by tho fact that tho aggregate round stores this season aro all within a ten-point margin. Tho highest round average was 67.57 and tho lowest 67.21; last year these were 67.29 .md C 0.23. Only once this season did the round avorago fall below last year's highest average. Apart from tho mean avcrago no other records were brokon this season, but two were equalled. Tho record team score of 482 put up by P.W.M.C. in 1932 was equalled by them this season, and tiio record combined score of !i53 put up by Petone Central and Hutt In 1932 was equalled by P.W.M.C. and "Evening Post." In the shoot-olt possibles were secured by F. lv. Cropp (Hutt) and A. Doran (P.W.M.C). Tlio final championship table is given below. Tho peculiarity noted In tho "A" grade where the winning team also with tho leading averago score had tho lowest average scoro put up against it, is not quito .so pronounced in this grade, but tho average team scores by and against (with tho score against given last) aro: Hutt 475-472, P.W.M.C. 474-471, Petone Central 472-468, "Evening Post" 468-475. It will be noticed that as in the A grado the lowest team had easily the highest average score put up against it, a matter which is rather puzzling, particularly .when the expectations of a good scoro aro usual when two uvenly matched teams moot. The details of the shoot-off aro:— Hutt.—lV E. Cropp 70, N. E. Solomon 09. It. King 69, K. G. Mnnto 69, H. Iveeno GO, A. Ji JlcHolm 68, K. Gittings 67; total, 481. . P.W.M.C—A. Doran 70, S. Dawson. 69, E. Buck 68, F. Kcrshaw 68, A. J. Fisher 65, F. lyiight 65, h. Wales G5; total, 470. • FINAL POSITION OF TEAMS. M. W. L. Pts. Agj{. Acer. Hull 7 5 ii 10 3322 67.79 T.W.M.C. 7 i ?. S 3317 67.69 Petone Central .. « 3 :! C 5835 07.15 ■'Evening .Post" ..0 1 5 2 2805 60.79 B GRADE.—TIE IN SECTION B. Aotea 470 beat Public Service 1 4G7. W.W.M.C. 469 beat "Evening Post" 439. .Brooklyn 1 407 beat Onslow 465. Kouth 463 beat Brooklyn 2 458. Harbour Board 463 beat Public Service 2 457. Petone Central 462 beat Petouo Ladies 456. . Hutt Ladies 45S beat Hutt Valley Ladies 451. P.W.M.C. Ladies 451 beat P.W.M.C. 338 (fivo mon). Port Nicholson Ladies and Hutt had byes. The standard of shooting in this, the seventh round, shows a slight deelino on the previous round, when the record round average of 06.19 was established, but is still well above last .year's average for tho same round, 65.71, which was the highest recorded last season. Tho 110 marksmen (P.W.M.C. flrcd fivo men only) aggregated 7257 points, which gives . them the avcrago of 65.97, the second best for tho season. Not onco this season has tho averago for the round been below tho averago for tho same round last season and only once (In the first round) was it below last season's highest average. In the A section the 70 riilemen aggregated IG3S, an individual average of 66.30. In the It section tho 40 riflemen aggregated 2G19, an avcrago of G5.45. As tho B section is now completed except for a shoot-on" between Hutt and Petone Central It. will bo seen that fho A-section have maintained a superiority over tho B section, which is tho antithesis of last season. The best combined score was secured by Aotea and Public Service 1 (937). The highest ladies' team score secured this season was by ttutt Ladies, 468, and tho highest combined ladies' team score, 913, by P.W.M.C. Ladles (159) and Hutt Valley Ladies (154) in tho fifth round. Of tho 110 riflemen,, fifty-five—four fewer than In tho last rouud —secured scores of 67 or over. Thero were again 10 scores of under 64. The scores of 67 and upwards included six possibles, sis GO'S, nineteen 68's, and twenty-four 67's. The highest ladles' Bcore was a possible by Mrs. Braid (Petone Ladles). The other possibles wero secured by R. Dawson (Aotea), K. S. Church (South). J. Woods (W.W.M.C.), and E. Taylor and G. Sklppage (P.W.M.C). The detailed scores are as follows:— SECTION A. A6tea.—lt. Dawson 70, M. O'Grady 68, J. Stephens 68, D. Feast 68, J. P. Corder 67. O. KoMnson 67, S. Harris 62; t0ta1,.470. Public Servico I.—S. H. Perry 69, B. D. i'otts 68, A. S. Ballinger 67. M. It. Button l>7. A. V. G. Wilson 66, C. A. Furlong 60, J. 11. Croxton 64: total, 467. WW M C—J. Woods 70, J. Hatch 68, It. tj. CoS 67. W. Cherry 07 It. I. Stewart 06, J; Walmsley 66, N. Koonoy 0a; total 469. "Evening Post."—Jl. Marshall 68, A. Coldsliorough 67, G. Oldham 67, W. McGrath 66, Mrs vvalden 64, C. Whyto 04, Mrs. Nickless 03; '"Brooklyn 1.-tt. Watson OS, D. Trotter 07, <;. Willis 67, C. Hofflens 67, A Amtoon 60, li Jensen 66, R. Lcckie 66; total 46i. Onslow-A Mattingly 68. F. Freeman 68, O. X Jeffs 67, A. W. Thompson 07, E. Chapman «6, BBiaoW 66, O. Fettes 63; tote 46a. South.—R. S. Churchcr 70, J. Pries ley 68, 11. Lane 68, W. T. Crcswoll 66, E. Edm°nas "jS. C. G. a! Nyberg 64, W. Spenccc 61; total '"Brooklyn 2.— E. Annabel 69, D. Chrtstlo GB, C. Lawton 68, Miss A. Coekroft 65 Mss N. Whitcombo 03, B. Keys 63, N. Whltetew G2, 'harbour Board.-O. Thomas 68, D. Philpott r,87.T It. Atkins 67, E. Eaton 66, F. Ryan Go, l\ Workman 65, A. Morrison 64; total 4G3. Public Service 2.-W. S. Harris 67, F._ Carter ,!7, Mrs. Furlong 67, Mrs. Bromley 6a, Mrs. croxton 65, G. Hcndra 63, R. S. Wsilsuaw 03, I'ital 457. POSITION OF TEAMS. M. W. L. Pts. Agg. Aver. ~r , ,,,k 1T1. , 7 C 1 12 3304 67.43 totea ... 1 « 1 12 3291 07.10 irartour Boara".: 8 5 1 10 2804 06.79 PubUc Service 1,. 7 5 2 10 3276 GG.BG WWMC"" • 6 2 4 4 2779 GG.I7 •BvlnlngPosr":. O 3 4 4 2759 65.89 Onslow ( 3 4 4 2.42 6-..-0 llrooklyn 2 « 1 « 2 2699 C 0.83 l-übllc Service 2.. fi 1 * 2 2.11 64.5 a Port Nlch. Ladies 6 0 G 0 274b SECTION B. Petone Central.—D. Oliver GS, A. nohbs 67, W. Clever 67, H. Woodhead 60, J. I'lnlay 60, T. Wilkinson 64, A. Jones 64; total 462. Petone Ladies.—Mrs. Braid 70, Mrs. Johnston 69, Mrs. Jones 06, Miss Scott 66, Miss X firogory 60, Miss V. Tratley 01. Mrs. Marsden °°HuU a Ladies.—Mrs. Maltlaiul 09, Mrs. Bird i-r Mrs. Hare G7, Miss Mllford 66, Mrs. Nightingale 65, Miss Caldcr 61, Mrs. Johnson G3; °Hutt Valley Ladies.—Mrs. Greenfield 69, Mrs. Frost GB, Mrs. McDowell 08, Mrs. May Gl>, Mrs. Nicholas 65, Mrs. Davis 53, Mrs. Harden iji; total 451. ~ P.W.M.C. Ladles.—Mrs. Taylor (.9, Mrs. Fuller 68, Mrs. Emmott G7, Mrs. V. Wales Gu, Mrs. L. Wales 64, Mrs. Warner 62, Mrs. Ward " P.W.M.C—E. Taylor 70, G. Stoppage 70, N. Meidnim 67, C. Lusty G7, A. Johnson Gl; total :;38 (five men). POSITION OF TEAMS St. W. L. Pis. As-'g. Aver. i|..., .6 5 1 10 2815 67.02 (•clone Central" .6 5 1 10 2778 66.15 Hutt Ladies ... 6 4 2 8 2772 66.00 P.W.M.C. Ladies . fi 4 2 S 2711 G4.G7 ■'P WSI C 6 li 4 4 2492 C 0.58 nutt Wiley Ladies 0 1 5 2 2706 64.43 I'efone Ladles ..0 0 (. 0 2694 64.14 ♦Have flred men short, which explains discrepancy between "aggregate and "average. INTERMEDIATE AVERAGES. A complete list of tho averages of ail intermediate grade riflemen is given below. It will he observed that the position of premier riflemen for this grade has resulted in a tie between F. Kershaw and A. Dorau, both of P.W.M.C with thu splendid average of 68.86. Of the twenty-eight riflemen, only two did not reach the standard for the grade, 66.00. Sisteen riflemen reached A grado standard, and eleven have averages In excess of tho mean A Krade average for tho season, 67.83. The following are the details (tho number of matches is given- in parentheses):—ll'. Kershaw (P.W.M.C), 68.86 (7); A. Doran (P.W.M.C), (IS.BG (7); H. King (Hutt), G8.56 (7); K. G. Munro (Hutt), 68.50 (4); O. Churcher (Petone Central), 68.33 (G); H. Kecne (Hutt), 68.29 (7) ; S Jones (Petono Central), 68.17 (6); F. E. Cropp (Hutt), 68.00 (7); J. Devino (Petono Central), 68.00 (6) ;K. Gittlngs (Hutt), 67.8G (7); T. Gini ("Evening Post"), 67.86 (fi) ;W. Stephenson (Petono Contrai), 67.80 (5); S. Dawson (P.W.M.C.). C 7.71 (7); B. Buck (P.W.M.C), 67.57 (7); L. Wales (P.W.M.C), «7.57 (7); H. May (Fetone Central), 67.50 (4); ¥ Knight (P.W.M.C), 67.43 (7); A. E. Frost (Petone Central), 67.40 (5); V. Wcldon ("Evening Post"), 67.40 ,{5); A. J. McHolm (Ilutt), (57.29 (7); n. Nicklcss ("Kvenlug Post"). «7 17 (6); N. E. Solomon (Hutt), 67.14 (7); .1. Ashman (Petone Central), 6G.83 (6); B. Otton ("Evening-Post"), 66.71 (7); /. .T. Firtirr (PAY.M.C), S3.SC (7); J. Bradley

("Evening Post"), Uii.GU («) ; K. MacDowail ("livening Post"), 05.50 (G); V. Barnes ("Evwi-1 ing Post"), 03.50 (1). THE S.M.R.C, LONDON. It has recently como to tho notico of "J'lc- | ration" that two Wellington clubs have .just affiliated to the Society of Miniature, Itilie Clubs ! lln London. "Elevation" desires to congratulate j i thoso clubs and wishes to state here that in view of tho support given by tho S.M.R.C. to I New Zealand clubs, and tho interest they take | ' in tlio sport of small-bore shooting here, it would bo a sign of our appreciation of their work if other clubs would do likewise. Tho actual affiliation ice is nn :inconsidcrablo sum. and while pleasing the S.M.It.C. greatly would bo very advantageous to the clubs concerned. In a recent advice from the S.M.R.C they state that they would welcome- affiliations, from New Zealand. LOWER HUTT CLUB. Last Thursday evening the Royal Kaval Volunteer Reserve were entertained at tho range iv a return niatcli with the C team, both match and service rifles being used. With tlio match rifle the Hutt hud a lead of 50 points, but the R.K.V.R. wero far superior in tho service shoot, scoring 199 against 174, thereby reducing the lead to 25 points iv favour of Ilutt. A most enjoyable evening was spent by everyone present. It is very pleasing to- nqtts how keen the younger shots are under tho leadership of Mr. Brown, sen. Thoy arranged' everything for themselves, and showed that they have taken a keen interest iv tho social side as well as tho .shooting side of the sport. The following aro the scores:— Hutt M. Sv R.X.V.K. M.. S. J. Hall GS 21 A. B. Mabin . (!3 .25 A. I). Brown „ 68 2G A. B. Westcott 63 13 R. Gray 67 27 P. Brackenridgo G2 SO A. Jenkins .. -67 12 O. S. Alters . 62 29 R. Whiteinan. Gl> 23 P. O. Sparkc . G2 .27 L. Brown ... GO 21 P. O. O'Mcara 57 20 A. Pago .... G5 21 Lt. Harding . s(i 32 A. Sissons .. 61 13 O. Braimvell DO 23 53T 174 181 199 KARORI CLUB. Tltii third shoot In the second series tor both A and B grades was held last Thursday. Scoring was of a high standard, Doro and Drake tying for tho A trophy' with 70's and Misses O'Xcll, Goss, Star, and Mrs. Staples, and Adams and Field tying for tho B trophy with OS's. Tho previous week's A trophy was won by Doro with 70, wliilo the B was tied for by .Blair and Field with GO's. The tie for tho seventh shoot of the previous series was shot off and was won by1 Field. A special trophy donated by the South Club for the ladies was tied for by Misses Goss, O'Neill, aud Starr, and Mrs. Staples; wlio will shoot off next week. ONSLOW. CLUB. There Wiis a.sood attendancel on Tuesday night, and a decided Improvement In tho shooting shown by tho majority of members. F. Freeman nnd K. Chapman, n new member, secured 89's, tho latter missing a possible with his List shot. For the .ladles, Mrs. Gallle 81 and Mrs. Davies 83 both shot well. Mrs. Gallic lias just returned from a holiday in Sydney. The "Weeds Shield" is In an interesting position. Jell's (scratch) dropping n point, which now puts Thompson (handicap 2) and himself level. Tho shield will be shot off for tonight. The club sends an open Invitation to all kindred clubs to its dance on September 17 in the JCgaio Town Hull. . "EVENING POST" CLUB. The attendances at-the above club have been fairly well maintained, and tho standard of scoring has also been kept at a fair mark lately. Tho best scores among tho ladies have been Mrs. Klckless "possible," and Miss N. McXicol G7. W. McGrath and It. Otton have both recorded 69's. Last month's competition was won by J. KoiMer, with It. Jenkins in second plnce. PUBLIC SERVICE CLUB. Competition shoots recorded during the week are as follows:—W. A. Nicholson 100, R. D. Potts, It. Walshaw 99, Mrs. C'foxton 91, Mrs. Furlong 94. EXPERIMENTS IN PRONE SHOOTING. , .A. G. Banks, writing in tho "Itifleman," tho ■jfflclal orgau of the Society of Miniaturo Rifle Clubs, London, says:— In the description of theso experiments I now arrive at that most contentious, of all shooting matters, "Trigger Pressing." In order to explain my system of grapuline. with It a few remarks nro necessary. To commence with, it has to be realised that a rifle, completely designed in all Its parts for accurate target shooting only, lias never yet existed. Tlio trigger Itself is not tho outcome of deliberate design. It Is simply a bad accident. The first practical handflro weapons, the blunderbuss and tho flint-lock musket, had a heavy hammer that was propped up by a hinged paul now called the scear, with an arm to pull called tho trigger. You pulled tho trigger and the contraption "went off"—sometimes. Wo still pull tho trigger and our present weapon goes off. And our prosent trigger arrangement is but a slight improvement oil the barbaric original device.

Nobody worried if pulling the trigger of a musket moved tho gun, for it had such a poor degree of accuracy that such, a detail was of no importance. Nobody lias as yet troubled to produce any alternative device. Our makers now hang tho trigger to a convenient anglo. adjust the pujl to 31b or 41b, and sit back contented. Tlio only soriotis attempts to produce a really scientific firing devlco aro tho set trigger of tho Schoutzeu riflo and the thumb trigger with which tho Americans dabbled some twenty yoars ago. Tho double pull of the Service rifles is simply a device to provont the cocking piece slipping accidentally over tho scear when tho bolt is rammed homo in rapid fire. It is not, ns some people fondly lniagino, an attempt to simplify trigger-pressing. Tho difficulty of letting oft1 without moving tho riflo doe 3 not occur during tho period of "pressing." The troublo occurs at that moment when tlio pressure has just overcome tho resistance of tho scear and tho bent, plus tho resistance of tho trigger spring, and released tho firlnß pin. At that moment the resistance behind the finger from being 31b or 41b, becomes suddenly less —and the finger jerks back, Rinco the- brain is unuble instantaneously to stop tho pressure.

No amount of "diagonal pressures between tho finger and thumb" or "s<iucezo the trigger like squeezing a sponge" c.lll prevent that jerk. A sponge does not give way when you have squeezed lt nearly dry. And a downward pressuro of the thumb which reciprocates an upward pull of the finger has nothing to reciprocate when tb.o resistance under tlio finger suddenly disappears. In a nutshell tho expresRion trigger-pressing is a misleading confusion of terms. Tho art of IStting-oif consists, not of finger pressing, but of "scear-roleaslng." It is that moment of releaso which causes the difficulty, that sudden chango rrom pulling against 31b or 41b to pulling against only the roslstanco of tho trigger spring.

Now it is a fact that somo men liavo the knack of releasing the scear without allowing tho "finger recoil," If I may coin tho term, to move tho rifle. Others can do it sometimei, but not always. But it seems to aland to reason that the shorter tho distanco through which tlio linger recoils, and also tho smaller tho amount of finger which does recoil, the better chanco one hns of a clean let-off. It is essential that this movement of the finger shall not cause any movement of tho rifle. It lias to bo remembered that tho very movement of tho ligaments or tendons inside tlio hand which actuato the finger are liablo to impart movement to tho rifle.

All kinds of different holds are advocated. Tho most general method Is to grip with thrco fingers and press the trigger with the middle bone of tho forefinger, at tho same time pressing down with tho thumb. All tho standard pistol grips aro made for this hold, but I havo always found it unreliable. Tho finger movement Is considerable, and sooner or later I throw a shot out. And that thumb pressure is all right during tlio pressing, but quite useless at tlio moment of release, which Is tiie only moment that mutters. Again the middlo of the finger is not a sensitive spot.

l'ho portions of the fingers. usSd for all flnc work aro the ends, • and 1 find that I got on best by using the end bone or pad of tho forefinger closo to the joint. Its movement also is smaller than that of the middle bone, and Ha weight is less and causes less jerk when it recoils. I lllto to regard tho whole of tho hand as an anchor for tho end joint of tho finger. My pistol gfrins aro tliereforo made of such a length that I can just comfortably bend this end joint around tho trigger. Tlio portion just behind this end I press against the side of the trigger guard, and this is half' tho battle. Somo trigger guards are too narrow, add must therefore bo widened 'or packed out. It is essential to bo able to press against tlio sido of the guard when the end joint is just curled nicely against the trigger. And It should be pulling "straight back" against tlio trigger, in lino with tho central piano of the stock, at the moment of release.

It is worth while to take tremendous pains to ensure that the grip of the hand, tho position of tho finger 011 tlio trigger, and tho direction of tho pressure aro always the same I find, for instance, that if my finger is a trifle lower than usual on tho trigger the shot goes low—cither at « o'clock in tho bull or just out of it. If tlio pressuro in applied slightly across the ritle instead of straight back, tho shot will go 10 the loft. I attributo theso movements to tlio rifle's being pulled down or pushed sideways by the finger pressure just at tlio instant of detonation, when it is momentarily out of control. This instant should not bo confused with tho moment of recoil of tho rifle, which conies afterwards, and after tho bullet has left the barrel. A smooth and perkless tiring mechanism In place of tlie barbaric trigger and scear Is long overdue. However, so long as wo have to grapplo with "trigger-pressing" unremitting practice is necessary aa a, path to perfection, and in this connection I would like to conclude this part witJi a hint which I often give to beginners, though they never tako it. Although I can claim to be somewhat beyond tho novice stago myself, I never commence firing cartridges until I have ascertained by "snapping" with tho empty rifle what kind of condition my trigger finger is in, what are my particular tendencies ;vt the moment, and whether I can keep the sights rock-steady on the bull while I let off. And there have been, and will be. occasions when after this practicp, satisfied that if. la "not my day out." I go home without firing a ?hot. Tlir chief ingredient of good shooting is not ball ammunition; it Is patience.