< Previous228 fifteen well-aimed shots, so quick and clean recharging is taught in an exercise known as " Rapid Loading." This practice consists of charging, unloading, and re- cliarging the magazine while the recruit is lying in the prone position, and is carried out assiduously until the lad is able to pass the standard test of charging and unloading six chargers containing five rounds in each in the period of one minute. The above, with the addition of " rapid aim and snapping "—four seconds allowed for each aim and snap —are but preliminary exercises and lead up to the principal lesson where the dummy cartridge is employed, in which a recruit is, in its early stages, taught to F I R E T W E L V E T O F I F T E E N R O U N D S - A . M I N U T E without serious loss of accuracy—this being, by the way, far beyond that. attempted by Germany's first line of troops. With the object of counteracting a tendency for wild and reckless shooting an endeavour is later made to determine a man's best rate, i.e., the highest rate of fire consistent with accuracy delivered by any one man. Xow this rate varies in individual soldiers in proportion to the amount of training carried out with dummy cart ridges in his leisure hours. However, an opportunity is given to everv man to find out for himself his own best rate when firing on the range in Practice g of the instruc tional portion of the General Musketry Course, and later in Practice i6 of the Classification series. To coun teract the tendency to fall into the habit of wild shooting, the rate of fire should be increased gradually, cultivating D E T E R M I N AT I O N A N D W I L L - P O W E R , C O O L N E S S O F MIND AND HAND, which are without a doubt the essential qualities of good rapid fire. Practically a man must become an automatic machine gun, because, when he is firing ball ammunition, the first is shown in the grip maintained on the rifle and the ability of quickly re-aligning the sights on the mark after recoil; and the latter is displayed in quick manipula tion of the bolt and charger of cartridges, combined with fixed attention to the particular moment when he has to recharge the magazine and a determination not to hurry the aim, thus sacrificing accuracy for rapidity. It is invariably recognised that good demonstration bv an instructor before his squad has a remarkable effect of speeding-up the fire of the recruit, the instructor illus trating the necessitv for :— {a) \ good grip of the rifle held well into the shoui- der, the butt only being dropped when neces sary to recharge. (h) Fired rounds counted. (r) Good position—legs separated to counteract tendency to roll from side to side. (d) Eve on mark and not on the rifle. (e) Right elbow low and as near ground as much as possible consistent with free movement. (f) Dexterity in recharging magazine. - (9) Quick aiming and automatic feeling for trigger, taking two pressures, even in rapid fire. It is not wise to imjxise a time limit in the early stages of rapid fire exercises as it may be the means of many lads falling into the habit of snatching at the trigger, but it is an excellent plan to occasionally test an individual's aim by the aiming disc before finally introducing the standard test of ten well-aimed shots in one minute—the minimum good aims required to pass being eight out of ten, the aiming disc providing an easy target and also an opportunity for the instructor to view correct alignment. The recruit and trained man's test for rapid fire is practically a combination of rapid aim and rapid loading and is carried out while lying in the prone position. The instructor very carefully examines the man's rifle and dummies, then orders him to take up his position while he himself adopts a similar pose, but facing the man and holding a perforated aiming disc to his eye. At the command " rapid fire " the time is noted and the man charges his magazine and buttons his pouch and aims at the disc, snaps and reloads ten rounds without removing rifle from his shoulder except to re charge magazine with another five rounds of dummies and to rebutton his pouch. The standard time allowed to charge and recharge the magazine, button and re- button pouch, aim and snap ten rounds at the black " bull " of the disc is one minute, but if the aiming is unsatisfactory the test should be repeated more slowly until the man undergoing the test can aim eight accurate " shots " out of ten and fulfil the remaining conditions demanded. Other tests, besides the known standard, are intro duced, one in particular being the " mad minute." This may be fired from a trench, over a breastwork, or from o v e r o r a r o u n d c o v e r w i t h s i d e o f r i fl e r e s t e d . T h e aiming disc is employed as before, but the magazine is charged with five rounds before the order " rapid fire " is given and the pouch is not buttoned until 15 rounds h a t e b e e n fi r e d . O f c o u r s e t h e r e i s n o s h o c k o f r e c o i l so the recruit does not get " windy "—to use an expres sion from the present day " military vocabularv "—the results therefore being very satisfactory. " RAPIDS " ON THE MINIATURE RIFLE RANGE. N o w S O f a r t h e a c t u a l " h i t s " o r t h e r e c r u i t s ' accuracy can only be assumed. Checking a series of rapid aims and the time taken is by no means an easy job. Instructors are only human after all and even the best of them sometimes err. The dummy cartridge, however, provides an excellent expedient for training because so much time is wasted during actual rapid firing in fumbling with the charger and " short " bolt action which only ejects the fired cartridge and does not send the loaded round into the chamber, but I infer that no absolute accurate results can be determined by the aiming disc test, although rapid aim and bolt action cannot be more effectively taught. From time to time I have illustrated and described how miniature range work, although it must not be regarded as a final test of a man's abilities, practicaily covers every exercise and phase of training with the Service rifle. I have up to now confined my series of articles to deliberate or slow application shooting, casually referring to rapid firing more or less in the abstract. But SPEED UP YOUR RAPIDS " is the clarion call from the battle front, .so I am inspired to introduce a subject of tremendous importance not only to tho.se overseas but to those whose path of duty lies where lads are being trained up to the level of the finest type of a British soldier. The S.M.L.E. converted rifle, as issued from ordnance, is of little use—if at all—for rapid fire. An expert accustomed to the rifle may fire ten well-aimed WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMAY, 1918. T H E R I F L E M A N . 229 shots in seventy-five seconds, but a recruit would pro bably " fumble " the cartridge when loading owing to the large r.ecess on the right hand side of the chamber which is known as the extractor way. The rifle club member who handles a Martini action rifle may well conceive what difficulties would be presented if he had to place his cartridge in a chamber having a recess (the extractor way) and a fairly sharp edge of steel dividing it and the chamber on the right side, and will agree with me that the cartridge may be only too freely misdirected when loading quickly, and will probably decide at once that as a single loading rifle the Martini cannot be improved upon. However, the recruit is not expected to load the S.M.L.E. converted rifle by hand as a single loading {To be w e a p o n i n h i s r a p i d fi r e p r a c t i c e s . N o ! M a g a z i n e loading is absolutely essential as in dummy cartridge practice and can be carried out very effectively. There are now two systems by which the S.M.L.E. converted miniature rifle may be automatically RELOADED BY BOL T ACTIOX, the first to be invented, and which is in use on alt- mili tary miniature rifle ranges, being the " Hiscock-Parker m a g a z i n e " p r i n c i p l e ; a n d t h e s e c o n d , w h i c h w i l l e v e n tually supersede the method now in vogue, being " Tlie- Parker-Hale .303 cum Cartridge System," because it resembles approximately actual rapid fire exercises with the Service weapon, including those potential factors, f.e., quick and clean recharging of magazine and correct bolt action. nued.) CORRESPONDENCE. Sir,—I have read with interest the article on Elevation by " Carton," which appeared in your issue of March, 1918, (page 183) and, as he calls it " a controversial point," perhaps I may be allowed to express an opinion on it. Although it is certainly true that in the circumstances stated it would be necessary to increase the elevation on coming from 25 to 20 or 15 yards, it appears to me to be exceedingly doubtful whether this could be done by raising the sights on the rifle according to the ordinary graduations, or indeed by the use of the ordinary sights at all. ''Carton" has overlooked the fact that in the elevation which he speaks of, there are two distinct types which it is necessary to distinguish. The first is the elevation required on increasing the distance from 25 yards to say 30 yards. This elevation is rendered necessary in order to counteract the force of gravity on the bullet,—the further the bullet has to travel, the longer the force of gravity has to act on it, and therefore the more elevation will be required to counteract it, and vice versa. On the other hand, the second type of elevation, —i.e. the additional elevation required on decreasing the distance from 25 to 20 yards—is required, not to counteract the force of gravity, but because of the less acute angle required to be formed by the line of sight and the line of fire, consequent on the nearness of the target. The necessity for the latter type of elevation at the longer ranges is more or less negligible, but at very short ranges it becomes paramount. If for example it could be supposed that it were desired to hit a mark at one inch away, the rifle would have to be held in an almost perpendicular position, and no backsight ever made could give such elevation, and yet we have only gone forward a matter of 24 feet 11 inches ! ! The sighting of all rifles however, if not entirely based on the first type of elevation I have mentioned, is based on calculations in which that type is largely pre dominant ; the minimum or normal elevation being the elevation required for the shortest distance at which the rifle is intended to fire with theoretical accuracj- ; and although certainl}', if it were desired to fire at a shorter distance of say 20 yards or 15 yards, it would be necessary to increase the elevation, a very differentlj' graduated backsight would be required on the rifle if anything like theoretical precision were to be ensured. I a m . Yours etc., "ARGYLL."' -o- M U N I T I O N W O R K S L E A G U E , 1 9 1 8 . Club. TA B L E — M AY 1 2 t h . Matches S.wL.D.P. Score. I. Vi c k e r s , C r a y f o r d 2200411 5 0 2. Calicnder 22004 1136 3- Sterling 220 0 4 111 8 4- Royal /Vircraft Fac. A Te;tm 2 200 41095 S- Hammersmith Iron W orks 2C 02 114^1 (). Aiso.ciated Equipment Co. ... ■ y I 102 11 4 0 /• D e n n i s . i0200 11 0 4 8 B r i t i s h E l e c t r i c T r a n s f o r m e : - 2(12001077 9- R o v. i l . A i r c r a f t F a c . B Tc . - . t i 20200 1070 10. .T AP T0I00 570 n. iJIobe W orks I010 0 S.38 Callender SCORES. FIRST ROUND:— 560 beat Royal Aircraft Factory B T e a m 534 by 32 Hammersmith Iron Wo r k s Sterling Royal Aircraft Fac t o r y A T e a m 5 7 2 b e a t D e n n i s 5 6 0 b y i z 566 ,, Assoc. Equipment Co. 559 ,, 7 • 5 4 " Vickers, Crayford, ... 573 SECOND ROUND:— B r i t i s h E l e c t r i c T r a n s - , 5 3 3 7 570 ,, 3 Vickers Crayford ... Callender Royal Aircraft Fac tory A Team Sterling Assoc. Equipment Co. 577 beat Royal Aircraft Factory B T e a m 5 3 6 5 7 0 „ D e n n i s 5 4 4 5 5 5 . , G l o b e W o r k s 5 3 8 5 5 2 . , B r i t i s h E l e c t r i c Tr a n s f o r m e r 5 4 4 581 ,, Hammersmith Iron W o r k s 5 7 4 b v 4 1 26 .. 17 „ 8 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMay, 1918. THE VOLUNTEER TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP. FOR THE PATRIOTIC CHALLENGE SHIELD No. 2. To be competed for by Companies, or smaller units, of Volunteer Regiments affiliated to the Central Association of Volunteer Regiments, or the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. In addition to the Shield, which will be held by the winning Unit for one year, the following prizes will be awarded :— Winning Team, Twenty S.M.R.C. Silver Medals and £I0. Second Team, Twenty S.M.R.C. Bronze Medals and £5. Third Team, Twenty Silver Spoons. CONDITIONS. Open to one team of twenty from any Company, or smaller ujiit. of Volunfeer Regiments as outlined above. ^ Each competitor must have been enrolled a Volunteer for at least two months previous to shooting m this event. The contest will take the form of a postal competition, and teams mav shoot their targets upon any day between "rday June 22nd. and Sundav, June 30th, 1918, inclusive. Targets not received bv the first post on the following Tuesday morning will be ^^.hole of each team in each match_ must take place on the same range and be completed within a period of three consecutive hours. . . ..u Witnesses The shooting of each team taking part in the com- netition must be witnessed and the witness's certificate duly signed. The witness must comply with one of the following qualifications:— fa) .Anyone specially appointed by the S.M.R.C. (6) .A Commissioned Officer of His Majesty's Forces on the .Active or Retired T'^t, not belonging to the body represented by the team to whose shooting he is a' witness. ,V) A Commissioned Officer of His Majesty's Forces on the .Active or Retired I.ist, belonging to the body represented by the team to whose shooting he is a witness, if approval in writing of the S.AI.R.C. has first been received by him. A Commissioned Officer may not shoot as a member of a team -when acting as witness for same. Te a m s o f t w e n t y . Distance. 25 yards, to be measured from the edge of the firing point nearest the target. Xumber of shots, ten. Time limit of 100 seconds. Witnesses must give the orders " Commence " and " Cease fire." Targets. Double 25-200 yards Bisley Figure target. This is printed with two targets on one card, and five shots should be fired at each. Should more than the specified number of shots be placed upon .lifier target, full credh shall be given for all shots if they can be distinctly seen, subject to a penalty of one point for each shot In excels. .An additional five points will be deducted for each shot i n e x c e s s o f t e n . Rifles. .Anv .22 brcech-Ioading rifle or carbine (this includes the short fore-end) fitted with barrel not exceeding 30 in. in length and complying with the following conditions Entrance Fee 5/-. Sights. Imresight: Barley-corn, kmfe-blade or solid bead, with or without protecting ring not exceeding -Jin. in width, measured parallel with the barrel. Backsight: Any sight, including aper tures, with or without windgauge, but not fitted with glass or levels. Position, Any. No artificial rest of any kind permitted (see rule 58). Slings. Slings must not be used. 'iVigg-e.--. 'I he trigger pull must not be less than qlbs. Triggers must b. tested, (.All Corps must provide a certified qlb, dead weight trigger tester for this purpose). Jams or Missfires. No extra time will be allowed in respect of jams or missfires. Competitors will load and aim on the words get ready " and fire on the word " commence," and may not fire after the words " cease fire." There will be an interval of five seconds between the words " get ready " and the word " commence." Time will be r e c k o n e d f r o m t h e w o r d " c o m m e n c e . " Five points will be deducted in respect of the first shot fired before the word "commence," or after the words "cease fire." .A second shot entails disqualification. Intermediate times may be called and competitors may use their own watches. Whilst competitors are shooting their match targets in this competition no other targets shall be allowed on the butt. No coaching or spotting allowed. Practice before shooting match card allowed. Tics. Ties for the first three places will be shot off. AA hen not otherwise provided for, the Shpoting Regulations of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will govern the contest. Any infringement of the conditions will cause the competing unit to be disqualified. Any protest regarding an infringement of the Rules must be received by the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. within three days of the last day for returning targets. Entries must be made by Corps Secretaries on or before the ijlh Juiie on a form to be obtained from the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. The necessary targets will be sent to the competing teams, together with a AA'itness's Certificate, and an envelope in which they must be returned immediately upon the conclusion of the shooting. Units wishing to know their own detailed scores must forward a stamped addressed envelope with their targets. E n t r i e s c l o s e J u n e 1 3 t h . S . M . R . C . T E A M C H A M P I O N S H I P, 1 9 1 8 . 1 . 2 3 4 5 6, D R . A A V F O R F I R S T R O U N D . A A ' i m b l c d o n P a r k v . M a l t o n , C h o a m v . F a v e r s h a m N . R , .Addiscombe v. Devonport, C Co, 3rd I.eiccstcrs v. Cloucester City. AA'althamstow Ensign v. Brighton and Hove Imperial, C i . E . R . M e c h a n i c s ' I n s t i t u t e v . H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m . Ri nfield V. Castloford A'ols. The following clubs drew byes in this round;— R.N. Barracks, Devonport. AV est A yton and District. Hampton and Hampton Hill. Garswood Hall Collieries. Lee. Railway Troops Depot, R.E., Longmoor. BHnclif fe and Ecclosall. " .A " Div, Special Constidtulary. Pc-ith City and County. Appleton Pitsmoor , Manchp?stcr City. To n d u . .A Co. l ist Nonhern Counties Highland V.R, Garslon. Reading. B i c e s t e r To w n a n d D i s t r i c t . Hondon and Cricklewood. Mitchum. Midland Railway, Derby Padiham. .Shanklin. Erith, D o r c h e s t e r a n d D i s t r i c t . S c o t t o n F a r n h a m a n d D i s t r i c t A'olunleers. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMay, 1!)18. T H E R I F L E M A N . T H E M A C K W O R T H P R A E D C H A L L E N G E C U P FOR VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS, 1918. RESUL T C C o 9 t h K e n t A T e a m 7 7 . , B C o . 3 r d L i n e s . . . 7 4 9 F Co. 5th Cheshire A T e a m 7 6 6 C Co. 2nd Devon ... 783 Nos. I and 2 Plats. .A Co. loth .Surrey 749 Stourbridge Co. ist W o r c s . . . . . . 7 7 3 C C o . 4 t l i L a n e s . . . 7 7 1 C Co. I St Cornwall 792 Brym Garw Plat. 4th G l a m A Te a m . . . 7 6 4 B C o . 3 r d Wa r w i c k s 7 7 5 C C o . i s t I . O . W . . . . 7 7 5 D Co. 4th Middlesex 760 C Co. I/ist Leicester 780 C C o . i s t D e v o n . . . 7 7 1 B C o . i s t W. R . V. R . 7 8 7 No. 2 (Arbroath) Co. 2 / i s t F o r f a r s . . . 7 8 2 A C o . 4 t h L i n o s . . . 7 7 3 A ( T h i r s k ) C o . i / 3 r d N.R.V .R 747 B C o . I/ i s t L e i c e s te r 7 7 4 A(Cowes)Co. I.O.W. 777 A C o . 3 r d Wa r w i c k s 7 7 3 D C o . 2 n d C i t y o f London 756 D Co. 8th Sussex ... 731 .A Co. 7th Sussex ... 770 D Co. 14th County of London 759 A C o . s t h S u r r e y A T e a m 7 6 8 Frimley and Camber- ley Plats. 7th Surrey 765 A Co. 7th Surrey ... 760 B Co. 17th County of London 747 B C o . 7 t h K e n t . . . 7 7 4 C Co. 19th County of London 754 A C o . 3 r d G l a m . . . 7 4 1 OF FOUR TH ROUND. 774 beat C C o . S t h D e r b y . . . 7 2 5 b y 4 9 P i l s l e y P l a t . 2 n d D e r b y 7 0 3 , , 4 6 C C o . 9 t h S u s s e x B T e a m 7 2 S , , 3 8 .A Co. 13th W.R.V.R.... 75: ,, 32 Bryn Garw Plat. 4th G l a m B ' T e a m . . . 7 2 1 , , 2 8 C C o . 7 t h K e n t . . . 7 4 6 , , 2 7 C C o . S t h S u r r e y . . . 7 3 1 , , 2 0 D C o . 3 r d N o t t s . . . 7 7 3 , , 1 9 A C o . 1 4 t h C o u n t y o f London ... ... 745 ,, 19 D Co. ist City of .Aber d e e n 7 . 5 7 . > " b Nos. I and 2 Plats. .A C o . i s t K i r k c u d b r i g h t 7 5 S , , 1 7 . A ( S c o t t i s h ) C o . 6 t h C i t y o f L o n d o n . . . 7 4 3 , , 1 7 B C o . i s t S u s s e x . . . 7 6 4 , , 1 6 N o . 5 P l a t , B C o . i s t Kirkcudbright ... 755 ,, 16 A C o . I / i s t N o r t h e r n Counties Highland -A T e a m 7 7 2 , , 1 5 C C o . 2 n d N . R . V. R . . . 7 6 7 , , 1 5 .A Co. ist City of Aber deen 759 ,, 14 B C o . 2 n d B e d s . . . 7 3 3 , , 1 4 C C o . i s t B e r k s . . . 7 6 2 , , 1 2 B C o . 7 t h C o u n t y o f London 766 ,, 1 1 B C o . 3 r d S u s s e x . . . 7 6 2 „ 1 1 A Co. Hunts A Team.. 748 „ 8 D Co. 14th W.R.V.R. 723 „ 8 B Co. ist City of Aber deen ... ... ... 764 ,, 6 A Co. ist Berks B Team 753 ,, 6 Nos. I and 2 Plats. A Co. 9/1 ith Surrey ... 763 ,, 5 C C o . 3 r d S u r r e y . . 7 6 0 , , 5 Ponteland Co. 4th Northumberland ... 755 ,, 5 B Co. 2nd Devon ... 745 ,, 2 D C o . 3 r d H a n t s . . . 7 7 3 , , i . C Co. sth Cheshire .. 753 ,, i B e l l i n g h a m C o . 4 t h Northumberland ... disqualified. RESUL T •C Co. 9th Kent A T e a m 7 8 6 A Co. 7th Surrey ... 766 C C o . 2 n d D e v o n s . . . 7 6 8 A (Cowes) Co. I.O.W. 762 Stourbridge Co. ist W o r c s 7 7 2 OF FIFTH ROUND. beat C Co. i/ist Leicesters 733 by 53 ,, A Co. 7th Sussex ... 740 ,, 26 ,, D Co. Sth Sussex ... 743 ,, 25 ,, Nos. I and 2 Plats. A Co. loth Surrey ... 738 ,, 24 ,, B Co. 17th County of London ... ' ... 756 ,, 16 15 Co. 3rd Warwicks 790 beat Br\n Garw Plat. D Co Frimley and Camber- ley Plat. 7th Suirey 762 ,, .\ Co. 3rd Glam 75' '•11 D Co. 4th .Middlesex 761 ,, B C o . I , i s t L e i c e s t e r s 75'"-' .. II C C o . I . S t C o r n w a l l 775 0 .A Co. 5 th Surrey .A Te a m 766 „ 9 D C o . 2 n d C i t y o f London756 ,, D C o . 1 4 t h C o u n t y o f London 747 .. 9 .A Co 4th Lines 7S1 ,, 15 (m. 7th Kent 773 .. 8 Exmouth Unit .A Co. 1st Devons 7S2 „C C o . i s t I . O . W .776 .•6 N o . 2 I . A r b r o a t h ) C o . 2 i s t F o r f . M S 7'''i' 0 .A Co. 3rd Warwicks ... 775 I' 6 C Co. 19th County of London 751 0 .A Co. i/srd (Thirsk) N.R.V .R 747 -•4 15 Co. I |th W.R.V.R. 7 7 S 0 C Co, 4th Lanes 775 ■ >3 F C o . 3 l h C h e s h i r e To . a m 7.56 0 B Co. 3rd Lines 753 1 13 DRA W FOR SIXTH ROUND. 6. S. C Co 19th Co-.nty <f London v. B Co. 3rd Warwicks. No. 2 (.Arbroath) Co. 2 Tst Forfars v. D Co. 2nd City of London. .A Co. 4th Lines v. A (Cowes) Co. I.O.W. .A Co. 7th Surrey v. C Co. 2nd Devonshire. A C o . H x m o i i i h U n i t i s t D e v o n s v . S r o u r b r i d < > e C o . i s t W o r c s . B Co. 14th W.R.V.R. V. C Co. 9th Kent A Team. C Co. 1st Cornwall v. F" Co. 5th Cheshire .A Team. Frimley and Camberley Plat. 7th Surrey v. D Co. 4th Middlesex. N o l e s s t h a n a 50 7o improvement in RAPIDITY and ACCU R A C Y o f R i fl e F i r e i s a t t a i n a b l e b y The ParKer=Hale . 3 0 3 i n . c u m . 2 2 i n . Cartridge* System. It was scarcely possible that a system which could achieve such a result would long lack recognition. I t h a s n o w b e e n o f fi c i a l l y a d o p t e d b y t h e C A N A D I A N O V E R S E A S F O R C E S . At present particulars can only be sent to C.O.'s and Musketry Officers. A . G . P A R K E R & C O . , L t d . , B i s l e y W o r K s , Whittall Street, Birmingham. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK232 T H E R I F L E M A N . May, 1918. CADET SUMMER. COMPETITION, 1918. To be competed for by teams of four from companies or smaller units of Cadet Corp, School Corps, Lads'Brigades. Boy Scouts and any other approved organisation affiliated to the S.M.R.C. The following prizes will be awarded 1 To the winning team, 4 large Silver Medals and 1,000 rounds of Ammunition. 2 To the second team, 4 small Silver Medals and 1,000 rounds of Ammunition. 3. To the third team, 4 small Bronze Medals and 1,000 rounds of Ammunition. 4. To the fourth team, i ,000 rounds of Ammunition. 5. T o the fifth ,, 6. To the sixth 7. T o the seventh ,, •> The above prizes have been kindly presented by Lord Desborough and the Council of the Central Association Volunteer Regiments. Open sights. No apertures. No orthoptic spectacles. No slings. CONDITIONS. parallel with the barrel. Backsight : Service pattern tangent sight with V or U, with or without windgauge. Position.— .Any. No artificial rest of any kind allowed. (See Rule 58.) Slings.—Slings must not be used. Each competitor must have been a bona-fide member of the Corps, etc., which he is representing for at least two months pievious to the date of shooting. No competitor may shoot for more than one team. The contest will 'take the form of a Postal Competition, and teams may shoot their targets upon any day between the 8th and 2 0 t h J u l v . 1 9 1 S , i n c l u ; i \ e . c - s i n r . . 1 Secretaries of teams must give the Secretary of the S.M.R.u. at least three davs' notice as to the day. time .'ind place the teams will shoot. The shooting of the whole team must take place on the same range and be completed within a period of two consecutive hours. Witnesses.—Each of the targets must be shot, where possiWe, ii the presence of a witness especially appointed by the S.M.R.C. or, failing such a witness, in the presence of any Commissioned Officer, Cadet Officer, Musketry OtTiccr. Scoutmaster or School master, wffio will be responsible for the conditions of the Com petition being duly complied with and who will certify same upon the certificate forwarded with the targets. Teams of four lads between the ages of 13 and 18. Distance.—25 yards, to be measured from the edge of Ihc bring point nearest (he targets. , Number of Shots and De.scription of Targets. 20. 10 liberate. Double V.T.C. 15/20 yards with carton ring; 10 in too seconds. Double Bisley Figure 25/200 yards. Note.— the deliberate targets have two targets printed on one card, and five shots should be fired at each. No hits outside the rings upon the target will be scored. The time-limit target has two targets printed on one card, and five shots should be fired at each. The scoring will be as follows ;—5, 4, 3, and hits outside the rings, 2. Should competitors fail to observe these conditions, and more than the specified number of shots be placed on any target, full credit for each shot shall be given if they can be distinctly seen, subject to a penalty of one point for each shot in e.xcess. .An additional full value of one shot will be deducted from anv target in respect of each shot in excess of the required number. Rifles.—Any .22 breech-loading rifle or carbine (this_ includes the short fore-end) fitted with barrel not exceeding 3oins. in length and comphing with the following conditions;— Sights.—Foresight : Barleycorn, knife blade or solid bead, with or without protecting ring not exceeding ii"- width measured Entrance Fee 1/=. Trigger.—The trigger pull must not be less than qlbs. Triggers m.ust be tested. Each Corps must provide a qlbs. certified dead weight trigger tester for this purpose. Coaching and Spotting.—Deliberate Stage : Coaching and spot ting allowed ; competitors may also use their own binoculars or telescopes. Time-Limit Stage ; No coaching or spotting allowed, and telescopes must not be allowed upon the firing point. In the deliberate stage to minutes only will be allowed each competitor for firing 10 rounds. In the time-limit stage too seconds are allowed. No extra time allowed for jams or missfires. (.See Rule 37.) Competitors will load a n d a i m o n t h e w o r d s " G e t r e a d y " a n d fi r e o n t h e w o r d " Commence," and they may not fire after the words " Cease fire." 'I here will be an interval of five seconds between the words "Get icady" and the word "Commence"; time will be reckoned from the word " Commence." Witnesses must give the orders " Com mence " and " Cease fire," and in both the deliberate and tirne-limit stages intermediate times may be called and competitors may u.se t h e i r o w n w a t c h e s . Whilst shooting is taking place in connection with this Com petition no' other targets are allowed on the butts, and no time-limit targets may be on the butts whilst deliberate shooting is taking place. Where not otherwise provided for the Shooting Regulations of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will govern the contest. Ties for the first three places will be shot off. Any protest regarding an infringement of the Rules must be received by the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. on or before July 24th, otherwise it cannot be entertained. Entries must be made on or before July 3rd, upon a form to be obtained from the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. The necessary targets and witness's certificate will be sent to competing Corps immediately after the closing date, together with an envelope, in which they must be returned at the conclusion of the shooting. E n t r i e s c l o s e J u l y 3 r d , LONDON LEAGUE, 1918. Club. TA B L E — M AY 5 T H . Matches S. w. L.D.P. Score. I. Addiscombn 2 200 43434 2 W a U h a m s t o w E n s l fi n 22 0043378 3. Borouj^h of Wandswortli22 f)0 43355 4. Wimbledon Park II00 21724 5. Cheam 0. (i.E.R. Ath. Associaiion 2I102 34»4 2 I102 3389 7. Ham and Petersham2I102 33f>2 8. Lee20200 33of> q. Mitcham2 0 2 003290 10. Hampton and Hampton Hill... 2 0 2 003272 11. Associated Pqiiipment (.'o. ... I0I f) 0 163S S C O R E S F I R S T ROUND. Addiscombi 1714 beat Lee1625 by 80 G.E.R. Ath. Associa tion ... ... 1689 beat Hampton and Hampton Hill AVa l t h a m s t o w E n s ' g n 1 6 8 1 , , A s s o c . E q u i p m e n t C o . Boro'of W andsworth 1672 ,, Mitcham C h e a n i 1 7 1 2 , , H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m . . . SECOND ROUND. Walthamstow En.sign 1697 beat Mitcham H a m a n d P e t e r s h a m 1 6 7 5 , , H a m p t o n a n d H a m p t o n Hill W i m b l e d o n P a r k . . 1 7 2 4 , , C h e a m . . . ^ Addiscombe 1720 ,, G.E.R. .Atii. Associa tion ... Boro'of W aiidsworlh 1683 ,, Lee 1622 by 67 16.38 „ 43 1642 ,, 30 1687 ,, 25 1648 by 49 1650 1702 1698 1651 25 22 22 2 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMay, 1918. T H E R I F L E M A N . 233 VELOCITY.—II. B y " A k e r i m a n . " 1AST month the writer endeavoured to show how and why the velocity of a bullet affects its —J accuracy. Now to give some idea of why so many differing velocities are adopted in the making of rifle cartridges. The question is a large one, and to understand the trend of modern rifle manufacture, one should look first at its beginnings. The earliest rifles were simply the smooth bore musket or gun, with some form of rifling designed to impart a spin to the spherical bullet with the object of steadying its flight. Probably it should be considered that the first true " rifle" was the first weapon which threw a conical, or long bullet; for it was the introduction of a bullet greater in length than diameter which made possibfe the increase of velocity beyond that attainable with the spherical bullet. The effect of lengthening the bullet, while spinning it in order to keep it travelling point foremost, is to increase the factor known as " Sectional Density"—which means, relation between the bullet's weight and its area of resistance fo the air. Air resistance is the chief thing which reduces the bullet's velocity as it flies, and if the surface opposed to the air is small in comparison with the mass of metal behind, it takes a much longer period for the air resistance to reduce the bullet's velocity to nothing, or to a speed no longer useful for a projectile. Now the iiiilial or "muzzle" velocity depends upon nothing but the power of the charge of explosive. Pro vided the barrel were strong enough to stand the explosion of an enormous charge, the velocity would be limited only by the speed of expansion of the exploded powder into gas, and might conceivably be scores of thousands of feet per second. Thus a spherical bullet could be expelled from a rifle at a terrific velocity ; but from the nature of its shape and consequent low sectional density, it would not keep it up long when opposed to air resistance. For certain purposes, rifles more or less of this type are made, and they are known as " Express " rifles, and used for shooting big game at very short range. The bullet is not generally spherical, though some sportsmen do actually use a smooth bore barrel of 12 bore calibre, with a spherical ball and a heavy powder charge. Generally the Express rifle is of large calibre—.5 or .577 inch are common sizes—taking a short cylindrical bullet of con siderable weight. For such a bullet, the twist of rifling does not need to be very sharp, and thus a very high velocity may safely be imparted to it. Such a combination of high velocity and short heavy bullet is, however, of little use beyond 300 or 500 yards, owing to the low sectional density, and even at that range the trajectory becomes high, thus introducing the risk of mjssing the target unless the range is exactly known and correct elevation given. A rifle for military purposes must have an effective range as long as possible. At the same time, the trajectory must be kept as low as possible, for in warfare a man is seldom in a position to know the exact range of his target, and the flatter the trajectory the less is the danger of missing it through under or over sighting. In order to lengthen the range, it was necessary to have a longer bullet, with as small a diameter as possible, so as to obtain the majdnium weight for surface resistance. At the same time, a reasonably high velocity must be imparted at the muzzle, obviously. The trouble is, that the longer the bullet, the quicker must be the spin given by the rifling, in order to get the necessary gyroscopic action which keeps the bullet point foremost. And a quick twist of rifling means danger of the bullets being forced through the barrel without "taking" the rifling grooves ; or, as it is termed, "stripping." A soft lead bullet, forced at a high speed through a quick twist of rifling, simply leaves the outside metal stuck on the grooves while the centre part slides through without revolving at all ! To obviate this difficulty, the "patched" bullet was invented. The patch was a hard paper covering to the cylindrical part of the bullet, which helped very materially to prevent the lead stripping. Subsequently the patched bullet gave place to the " enveloped" bullet which is now i n u n i v e r s a l u s e . T h e l e a d b u l l e t i s c o n t a i n e d i n a cylindrical case, or envelope, of harder metal—usually copper or nickel, or an amalgam of both. This hard envelope can be forced through a very much quicker twist of rifling than the plain lead bullet will stand, without stripping, and thus we get the present day military rifle cartridge of comparatively high velocity, quick twist, long range, and flat trajectory. For sheer accuracy at a known range, i.e., target shooting, a cartridge with a somewhat lower velocity and heavier bullet than the military type is generally considered preferable, for several reasons. If the power of the charge varies from shot to shot, the variation has not so much effect on a heavier bullet—and there is always some variation even with the best of ammunition. Again, a heavier and slightly shorter bullet is less affected by a cross wind, or by variations of wind ; while the higher trajectory does not matter in firing at known ranges. Thus there are scores, or rather hundreds, of different types of cartridge, of all sorts of weights, powers, velocities, and qualities. Most of them have been designed at some time to meet a special demand, and most of them have t h e i r u s e s . B u t i n t h e w r i t e r ' s o p i n i o n , t h e m o s t wonderful and efficient of the lot, within its limits of power and purpose, is still the -23 long rifle—the most marvellously perfect thing in its way ever designed and developed. LADIES' TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP. F O R T H E " R I F L E M A N " C H A L L E N G E C U P . To be competed for by one team of Six Ladies from any Club in the United Kingdom affiliated to the S.M.R.C. In addition to the Cup. which will be held by the winning Club for one year, the following medals will be awarded:— Winning Team. 6 Special Silver Medals. Second Team, 6 Special Bronze Medals. Full particulars of the conditions were published in the March " Rifleman," and further copies and entry forms may be obtained from the Secretary of the S.M.R.C. E n t r i e s C l o s e M a y 2 7 < h ' E n t r a n c e F e e 2 / 6 , WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK234 the rifleman. MAY, 1918. C L U B R E P O R T S . Shanklin R.C. The annual meeting of the m e m b e r s o f t h e S h a n k l i n R i fi - ' ^ C l u b w a s h e l d a t t h e I n d o o r - Range on -April S, Mr. W. A. ■ G o u l d s m i t h p r e s i d i n g o v e r a moderate attendance. Mr . .\. W . Lea, hen. auditor , presented the accounts for the past year . The period com menced with a deficit of -s. lod. The subscriptions and d o n a t i o n s r e c e i v e d a m o u n t e d t o £i-^ 4s. 6d., an increase on the . previous year; members' sub s c r i p t i o n s t o t a l l e d i S s . , a d e c r e a s e d s u m . O t h e r i t e m s o f revenue were the proceeds of a whist drive, organised by Mrs. Musson, £8 14s. 6d. ; sale of rifles .'.nd .accessories, £- 19s. ;d. ; ammunition sold, ,^30 4s. id The expenses were of a general character, and the year closed with a deficit balance of £7 13s. , 6d., against which could be set the possession of ammunition valued at £2^ iSs. The auditor e.spressed his satisiaction- at "he manner in which the Hon. Sec. (Mr. C. E. Moorman) kept the accounts. The balance sheet w a s a d o p t e d . ' The annual report of the club was read fy the Hon. Sec.. who stated that the membership o f t h e c l u b w a s g e t t i n g l e s s each year, and hoped that as siibscriplions- and donations were the only support at present to the club, tliat each member would trv to get fresh members to join. The Committee partic ularly thanked those donors and . s u b s c r i b e r s w h o h a d s o g e n e r - , ou.sly supported the club, and trusted that the annual report would give satisfaction. Great c r e d i t a n d t h a n k s w e r e c l u e . t o M r s. M u s s o n f o r a rra n g i n g a succc.ssful whist drive in aid of the club .and handing over the substanti.al amount of £8 14s. 6d. The competitions were duly held with the" following results : Baker Cup (Ladies), Mrs. Moss; l ireenfield Cup, Miss Colenutt; RaHi Cup, C. E. Moorman ; C.ouldsnilth Cup, \V. Howard; CannyrRyall Cup, C. Rayncr; Oonegall Badge, \V. Howard ; Roberts Meckil, M. .Silsbury;_; ■'Teleg-aph " Certificate, E. "N'eli •. " ."tlail " Certificate, C. K.iyn"r; "Express',' Medal, "Miss .Sunimerh.tyes ; B-11 Medal. .\. J. Cooper; Ladies' Medtl, M i s s C o l e n u t t . The Committee feel justly proud of the . successes of the siaison's liaam shooting. In the Countv .Stage of Oueeii .Alex- iindra's Cup no fewer than five ' out of a tetun of six representing Hampshire were members -of , this club. The ladit^s' team of " s i x W o n t h e v e r y h a n d s o m e challenge cup and six silver medals in a competition open to the United Kingdom. The National Team Championship team of six did not do so well, being knocked out in the second round. In the S.M.R.C. Team Championship open to the United Kingdom, the team of six got thro'ugh as far as the .semi-final. In the Burroughes and Watts Competition the teairi of four also reached the semi fi n a l . T h e s e c o m p e t i t i o n s w e r e a l l s h o t w i t h o r t h o p t i c s i g h t s . W i t h t h e " o p e n s i g h t s " t h e teams were equally successful. In the Mackworth-Praed Chal lenge Cup competition the team reached the fourth round, but in the B.S.A. Competition for Volunteer regiments they again reached the semi-final. In the Individual Competition, held by the Society of Miniature Rifle C l u b s , fi v e m e m b e r s w o n L i f e Memberships and cash prizes. Mr . Moorman drew the attention of the meeting to the fact that at the present time they were selling ammunition at a loss. The cost of ammunition had gone up immensely and that for which they were paying ;^ii I OS. per ten t housand was being sold to members for ;^io 8s. 4d., a l o . s s o f £ j I S . S d . p e r t e n thousand. At one time, before the abnormal rise, the sale of a m m u n i t i o n w a s o n e o f t h e c h i e f . s o u r c e s o f r e v e n u e , w h e r e a s i t w a s n o w a l o s s . I t w a s f o r the meeting to decide what should be done in regard to the sale of ammunition, or suggest o t h e r m e a n s o f i m p r o v i n g t h e c l u b ' s fi n a n c e s . ' The Chairman agreed that an improvement in the fund was most desirable, but did not think it fair to raise the price of ammunilion. T o do so would be to hit the men who were bringing distinction to the town by their shooting successes. He favoured an increase in the vearly subscription, now stand ing at 2S. A c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s c u s s i o n e n s u e d a n d i t w a s e v e n t u a l l y di-cided that the price of ammu n i t i o n b e r a i s e d f r o m a s . i d . p e r too to 2S. 4d., small quantities (under too) to be ch.arged at the rate of to .rounds for 3d.; this trifling increase will tneet the present cost price. The annual subscription to retnain as before. On the proposition of Captain ^'elf, the Right Hon. Brigadier- Ueticral J. E. B. Scely, D..S.O,, M. P., u'as re-elected president of the club. The vice-presidents were all re-appointed with the addition of Mr . P . W . Gilbert and the Rev , Ramsbotham. Mr . L e a w a s r o - r l e c l e d h o n . a u d i t o r with thanks for his past ser vices. Mr .. Moortnan was cordially re-appointed Treasurer and Hon. Secretary , a dual p o s i t i o n h e h a s h e l d w i t h g r e a t s u c d e s s f o r . m a n y years. The committee were re elected en-bloc, with Mr. Gould- s m i t h a s c h a i r m a n . M r . M - S i l s b u r y w a s - e l e c t e d c a p t a i n , with .Mr . \V . Sampson as d e p u t y c a p t a i n . M i s s C o l e n u t t was re-appointed captain in the ladies' section. T h e t n a t t e r o f a r r a n g i n g t h e competitions for the various cups and priz'es was left to the cotn- mittee as in previous years. The Chairman appealed to the meeting to induce other people in the town to become members o f t h e c l u b . T h e r e w a s a n e x ceptional interest taken in the club's progress with regard 10 the national competitions entered, and there should be no d i l fi c u l t y i n p e r s u a d i n g s u c h people to take a still closer interest in the club. Portslade K.C. The annual general meeting of the Portslade Rifle Club was held at the Portslade Range on Monday, .April 15, the President, C. Rose, Esq., being in the chair . L e t t e r s w e r e r e c e i v e d a n d r e a d f r o m V i c e - P r e s i d e n t s a n d s u p porters, those of \V . Hillman, Esq., and E. Taylor, Esq., con t a i n i n g g e n e r o u s d o n a t i o n s t o w a r d s t h e c l u b f u n d s . I n presenting the report and r e v e n u e a c c o u n t s t h e H o n . S e c . (Mr. H. AV. .Alexander) said that the club had experienced a h i g h l y s u c c e s s f u l s e a s o n . T h e financial position could be des c r i b e d a s t h o r o u g h l y . s o u n d , although the as.sets were repre sented by ammunition and not by cash. U n d e r t h e a b l e c a p t a i n c y o f Mr. F. J. Shirley, and in spite of being depleted of more than half its membership, the club had sufceedcd in winning the D e T . a n c e y S h i e l d . I n t h e Brighton and Hove League they had come from the second into the first division and while heading the table for nearly the whole of the season, only suc cumbed at the final match, thus b e i n g t h e r u n n e r s u p . O n e striking feature of the club's ex c e l l e n c e w a s t h a t t h e w h o l e o f the adverse points for the season only totalled t; as against 31 to t h e i r c r e d i t , a t r i d v r e m a r k a b l e score, especiallv :ts the whole of t h e y e a r ' s p r o g r a m m e w a s carried through by ten members. T h e s e a . s o n ' s t r o p h i e s w e r e c a r r i e d o ff b y t h e f o l l o w i n g ; — Club Championship (The Rose ■Challenge Cup), Mr. H. . W. Alexander, average 97.2 ; Run ner up Medal, Mr. T. Chennell; Bell .Medal, Mr . A. Bircum- shaw ; "Express" Medal, -Mr. I'. J . S h i r l e y ; " D a i l y Te l e g r a p h " Certificate, .Mr . T . Chennell; " D a i l y M a i l " C e r t i fi c a t e , M r. E . J. E. Coles; the Roberts Medal, Mr . G. Buxton ; the Club's Spoons by Mr. H. V. A l e x a n d e r a n d M r . B i r c u m s h a w . Two members of the club, Mr. T. C h e n n e l l a n d . M r . H . \ V . .Alexander, succeeded in reach ing the • third stage of the Queen Alexandra Cup. The p o p u l a r p r e s i d e n t , C . R o . s e , Esq.,' after re-election revealed his keen" interest and loyal sup port by most generously reliev ing ..the club from all financial b u r d e n s . T h i s n o t e s t r u c k a t t h e very opening of a liiost happy little speech congratulating the team upon their successes, con tinued to vibrate to the very close of a most pleasant even i n g , d r a w i n g g e n e r o u s d o n a t i o n s f r o m M r . F. J . S h i r l e y, Mr . G. Burton and others. Expressions of thanks were also passed to the Hon. Sec., Mr. H. W. . A l e x a n d e r, t o t h e C a p t a i n ( . \ I r. F. J . S h i r l e y ) a n d t o M r E . J . E . C o l e s f o r t h e i r l o y a l s e r v i c e s o n b e h a l f o f t h e c l u b . A l t h o u g h n a m e s w e r e s i n g l e d out lor special recognition it was obvious on Monday evening to an impartiai, observer that the u s e f u l s e r v i c e s r e n d e r e d b v M r . T. C h e n n e l l , M r. A . J . M a r n e r and Mr. Ewing wei'e thoroughly appreciated, in fact the success of the Portslade Rifle Club was due to the hearty co-operation o f e v e r y m e m b e r o f t h e c o m mittee. The ■ practical value of r i fl e s h o o t i n g h a s b e e n c l e a r l y demonstrated, and in view of the seriousness of the present mili t a r y s i t u a t i o n i t w a s r e s o l v e d to waive the formality of elect ing new members and throw the range open to any person who m a y d e s i r e t o j o i n f o r t h e purpose of practice or instruc tion. D o r c h e s t e r a n d D i s t r i c t R . C . The annual meeting was held at Ermington, High W est Street, on March 12, under the chairmanship of Lord Digby (president of the club), also pre sent being Colonel J. L. Twei'die, Colonel C. P. Egerton, Rev. R. G. Bartelot (Chaplain of the Church Lads' Brigade), Messrs. I. L. Legg (Hon. .Sec.), C. S. Prideaux, O. C. A'idler, F. E. Pope, P. E. Crabb, A. E. Robson, I.. T. Lock, and W. H . A ' o u n g . C o l o n e l L o r d Ellenborough and Mr. .A. E. D. Prideaux were unable to attend, the latter owing to illness. T h e H o n . S e c r e t a r y ( M r. J . L, r.egg) presented the follow- WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMAY, 1918: T H E R I F L E M A N . 23S ing report:—•" I have pleasure ill presenting a somewhat brief report "of tlic 15th year of the formation of the Rifle Club, and again deeply regret the loss of s e v e r a l o f o u r m e m b e r s w h o l i a v e made the supreme sacrifice for their country. T|je club has been somewhat strengthened during the past year by men of the Y'olunteer Regiment joining in order to perfect themselves in the use of the rifle. The v a r i o u s m e d a l s a n d c e r t i fi c a t e s p r e s e n t e d b y t h e N . R . . \ . a n d Society .Miniature Rifle Club.-, for 1917 were competed for by m e m b e r s o f t h e R i fl p C l u b i n c o n junction with the prize shoot of the A'oiunteeer Regiment held at Chickerell on the open range with the following results;— Donegal Badge and Certificate, Mr. R. Kare; " Dailv E.\prcss " Medal, .Mr. W. "F. Smith; M e d a l a n d " D a i l v M a i l " C e r t i ficate, Mr. P. E". Crabb; Bell M e d a l a n d " D a i l y Te l e g r a p h ' Certificate, Mr. ll. K. Harris. 'I'he attendance of ordinary mem- ber.s has not been so good as in previous years, not from lack of interest, but because so many men have been employed in v a r i o u s w a y s a n d c o u l d n o t attend regularly. Nevertheless I hope soon to welcome them back, and meanwhile wish those serving their country the best of l u c k a n d a s a f e r e t u r n . I t w a s found impossible to arrange many matches; but it is lioped that when peace is declared the c l u b w i l l r e s u m e i t s o l d l i f e a n d s p i r i t e d c o m p e t i t i o n s f o r t h e shields, cups, trophies, and medals now perforce being held in abeyance. While the shooting members are doing their duty in many fields of labour, those who a r e ' l e s s fi t t e d t o p e r f o r m s t r e n u o u s w . > r w o r k w i l l d o their best by helping to fit the rising generation of lads to be come loyal and efficient soldiers of the King by giving them care ful tuition in handling the rifle. The boys of to-day are the men of to-morrow. '1 he range has b e e n u s e d r c j g u l a r l y w i t h e x cellent results by the. Grammar Scjiool O.T,C., the Church. Lads' and lioys' Brigades and the D o r c h e s t e r D e t a c h m e n t o f t h e V o l u n t e e r R e g i m e n i t . T h e accounts of the past year, kindly a u d i t e d b y M r. H . F. W h i t l e y, are placed before you, showing a s a t i s f a c t o r y b a l a n c e o n D ece m b er '3 1 , 1 9 17 , achi eved greatly by keeping the working expenses down to a minimum. S i x o f t h e r i fl e s a r e i n t h e h a n d s of the gun-makers for rebarrell- ing and other repairs, after being carefully examined by Mr. O . C . V i d l e r a n d M r . W . Jeffrey, gunsmith. There are also several important repairs required on thf range, which will be attended to in due cour.se. The commiflee, the club, and C.I-.B. and Boys' Brigades are again extremely grateful to Lord Digby for the kind assistance he has given in providing ammuni tion at a much reduced cost, and the valuable support which he has given to the club. I thank those honorary subscribers who have again so loyally supported the club during the past year, and regret several have not r e n e w e d t h e i r s u b s c r i p t i o n s , which I sincerely hope is only temporary." T h e m e m b e r s r e g a r d e d t h e report and balance sheet as eminently satisfactory, and both were adopted unanimously. Colonel Tweedic, in apprecia tive terms, proposed the re election of Lord Digby as presi dent, and the motion was carried with the utmost un animity and duly acknowledged. The retiring vice-presidents and committee were re-elected. A letter was read from Cap tain J. W. Beck, 2nd Dorchester C o m p a n y B o y s ' B r i g a d e , e x pressing warm thanks to Lord Digby for his generosity in en abling the lads to be supplied with ammunition at a cheap rate. L o r d D i g b y a n n o u n c e d t h a t i t would afiord him much pleasure to give his usual donation of for the provision of ammunition f o r l a d s . C.O.M.S. Crabb, on behalf of B Conypany, Dorset Volunteers, t e n a e r e d h e a r t y t h a n k s t o M r. Legg for his great care and supervision. .As a proof of the ■excellent progress made by the Vo l u n t e e r s , h e m i g h t s a y t h a t -everal were now able to hold t h e i r o w n w i t h s o m e o f t h e c r - iginal members of the Rifle Club. L o r d D i g b y t h e n p e r f o r m e d w h a t h e d e s c r i b e i l a s a v e r y pleasant duty—the presentation of a handsome entrdo dish to Mr. Legg in recognition of hi^ 15 years' valuable service to the Rifle Club. His Lordship spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr. Legg's whole-hearted and devoted w o r k , a n d e n t h u s i a s t i c c h e e r s were given when the gift was , handed over. Mr. Legg, in a h a p p y l i t t l e s p e e c h , m a d e a grateful acknowledgment- - and a s s u r e d t h e m e m b e r s t h a t J i i s w o r k f o r t h e c l u b h a d a l w a y s b e e n t o h i m a l a b o u r o f l o v e and would continue to be so in the future. M r E . R o b s o n w a s r e elected ■ as assistant Hon., Secre tary, and Mr. H. F, Whitley as H o n . A u d i t o r , w i t h t h a n k s f o r their past services-. On the motion of Colonel E g e r t o n , s e c o n d e d b y L o r d Digby, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. C. S. Prideaux for kindly granting the use of the room for the meeting and also for the u.se of the excellent miniature range on his premises. The meeting ended with an expression of thanks by Mr. Prideaux to Lord Digby for pre siding. South iJondon Oddfellows R.C. On Saturday, .March 2, at the Oddfellows' Hall, S6, W alworth R o a d , S . E . , t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e O.R.C. and their friends spent a very enjoyable evening on tho occasion of the visit of the South L o n d o n D i s t r i c t O f fi c e r s o f t h e M a n c h e s t e r U n i t y, t h e P r o v i n cial Grand M.aster , F . W . D. Gilbert, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, .A. E. Stoncr, and the I.P.P.G.M., W . R. Nel- thropp. The Hon. Sec., F. J. Barrell, in giving the District Officers a hearty welcome, gave a brief s u m m a r y o f t h e y e a r ' s w o r k . In spite of the abnormal times, the balance in hand had increased f r o m ; ^ 4 2 S . b i d . i n 1 9 1 6 t o £6 15s. 9d. at the clo.se of the fi n a n c i a l y e a r i n 1 9 1 7 . T h e membership had increased and the club had received a pleasant s u r p r i s e f r o m o n e o f t h e i r patrons,' Dr. J. F. Williams, who had gentrously given a piece oi [late to le held [early by the best shot of the club. It was gratifying to know that, even in t h ' c s e s t r e n u o u s t i m e s , t h e i r p a t r o n s w e r e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e i r doings and it was hoped always to n erit their support. Tribute wa- also [laid to the President, L i e u t e n a n t - C o m m a n d e r D a w e s , who could not be present owing t o h i s n a v a l d u t i e s .Air . Barrell then asked th-.; Provincial Grand Master to pr-e- sent the prizes won by the mem bers of the ciub during 1917. In a speech of praise and advice for those who were carry ing on at a difficult time, Mr. Ci'ibert n-ade the presentation as follows:—The Shield, prescnte-J b y t h e P r e s i d e n t ( f - i e u t e n a n t Commander J. A. Dawes, R.N., M.P., L.C.C.) was won for the [ c a r b v t h e R a g i a n L o d g e ( H . Paul, A. G. Paul, A. A. Cook); the second team, who received silver medals, being the Glad stone Ledge (W. J. Sayer, H. J. West, G. P. Rowse). The Championship Cup (pre s e n t e d b y D r. J . F. W i l l i a m s ) won by A. G. Paul; the runner up receiving a silver medal pre s e n t e d b y t h e c l u b . B e l l -Medal, A. G. Paul ; " Diuly Ex- p r e . s s " M c d a fi J . AV. S a y e r ; " Daily Mail " Certificate, A, G. Paul ; " Dailv Telegraph " Cer tificate, ■ A. G. Paul;. S.M.R.C. Med,al, J, W. Sayer. Open sight, no sling competitions, J. W. Sayer and C. Shallis. Silver Aledtil competition, H.'Paul. M r . A . E . S t o n e r a n d M r . Nelthropi) also resjionded, and urged the members to keep the club going in the hope that, in the near future, things would re sume their normal aspect, and they would then be in a position t o s t r i k e o u t b o l d l y w h e n t h e y regained their full membership. The rest of the evening was taken up -with a short whist drive. Miss Peacock winning the ladies' prize and Mr . .A. E. Stoncr the gentleman's .prize. "Auld Lang Syne" concluded a pleasant evening. ^ Appleton R.C. The annual meeting of the members -of the .Appleton Rifle C l u b t o o k p l a c e a t . A t k i n s o n " ; Cafe, Bridge Street The Presi dent (Lieut e n a n t - Co 1 o n e 1 Charles Lyon) was in the chair. 1 h e T r e a s u r e r ' s s t a t e m e n t a n d t h e S e c r e t a r y ' s a n n u a : r e p o r t were adopted. They showed that t h e c l u b w a . s i n a s o u n d fi n a n c i . i l position. The total membership is 156, which includes 39 mem bers in the .Army and qS in the V o l u n t e e r F o r c e s . The Secretary (Mr. R. M. Swinton), in his report, reviewed t h e v c a r ' s w o r k i n d e t a i l . O n e perforn'ance stood out in respect to the Queen .Alexandra's Cup Competition, in which the club provided four members of the C h e s h i r e C o u n t y t e a m o f s i x . they being Messrs. Grocott, Fei-gus-son, Turner, and Swin t o n . . A n o t h e r f e a t u r e w a s t h e w inning, of the shooting cham pionship of the 6th Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment by the Stockton Heath Platoon, the t e a m o f e l e v e n i n c l u d i n g n i n e members of the club. The Cap tain and Secretary of the club had also taken part in a team of the County Palatine of Lan caster Rifle Association against the West London League. The President's Cup was won by Mr. I s a a c P r o a d y w i t h a s c o r e o f 286, and a .special prize given by- Mr. Melville (one of the vice- presidents) was won by Mr. J. H . F l e t c h e r w i t h t h e s a m e s c o r e . . The report also referred to the honorary rnem'icrship conferral on Mr Pei-e.' H." rrlson. • and'-also the loss by removal of their former Treasurer (Mr. F. C. Bennic.n). During the year one of their active members and a member of tb; committee. Private B. Madeloy, ha.-l laid down his lir-e i n F r a n c e . T h e w a r h a d a l s o taken toll in the way of, losses t o f a m i l i e s o f m e m b e r s a ' M o f fi c i a l s o f t h e c l u b . T h o S e c r e t a r y s i g n i fi e d h i s giving up' of the f.osition upon joining the Forces, and he was heartily ttiankcd for his past services. A v o l . 2 o f t h a n k s ■ t o t h e o t h e r o f fi c i a l s w a s a l s o a c c o r d e d , especially the President for the interest which he showed in, and the encouragement he gave, to the club. T h e o f fi c e r s f o r t h e e n s u i n g v e n r . w e r e e l e c t e d a s f o l l o w s : — President, Lieutenant-Colonel C. Lyon; Vice-President:^ Sir Gilbert Glreenall, Bart., C.V.O., WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK236 T H E R I F L E M A N . Lieutenant-Colone! B. Fair- clough, and Messrs. Vera B. Davies. J. J. Whitley, Segar Owen, F, W arburton, Arthur Down, and H. Beresford Mel ville : Hon. T reasurer , Mr . Lionel Fairclough; Hon. Secre tary, Mr. F. Black (the Cap tain) ; Hon. Armourer, Mr. J. Towers; Hon. -Auditors, Messrs, E. Bradshaw and A. S. Wright; Committee, Messrs. J. Towers, J. W. Elliott, W, J. Fetherstone, J. H. Fletcher, J. F. Fergusson, J. McDerjnid, L. R. Rowson, C. W . Hollows, H. H. Evans, T. F o s t e r, R , Tu r n e r, a n d G . Lowe. Following the ordinary business of the meeting the Pre sident piesented the prizes which had been won in competition by t h e f o l l o w i n g m e m b e r s d u r i n g the year:—President's Cup, Mr. I s a a c B r o a d y . C l u b c o m petitions, Messrs. F. Black, R. James, J. F. Fergusson, J. W. Elliott, R. M. Swinton, J. Mc- Dermid, J. H. Fletcher, C. W. Hollows, J. Towers, R. Turner, I. Broady, Frank Fletcher, and F. C . B e n n i o n . M e d a l s a n d c e r t i fi c a t e s w e r e won by the following;—Cheshire C o u n t y R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s i n Q u e e n A l e x a n d r a ' s C u p c o m petition : Messrs. F. J. Grocott, J. F. Fergusson, R. T urner , and R. M. Swinton; and second stage certificates : Messrs. J . H . F l e t c h e r a n d J . To w e r s (Cheshire) and F. Black (Lanca shire). The Donegal Badge, Lord Roberts Medal and " Daily Express " Medal, Mr. F. Black. Club .Aggregate Medal and " D a i l y M a i l " C e r t i fi c a t e , M r. J . H . F l e t c h e r . " D a i l y Te l e g r a p h " C e r t i fi c a t e , M r. R . M . Swinton. Liaeola Notes. The National Team Champ'on- ship, Mackworth Pr .aed and Queen's Cup Competitions, have n(»w the attention of the county c l u b s , t h e c o u n t y b e i n g w e i l tepre.sented in all three In t h e N a t i o n a l Te a m C h a m p i o n ship, Wellingorc, Grimsby Cen t r a l s a n d R u s t o n B o i l e r W o k s all !cached the fourth round. T h e C e n t r a l s ( w i n n e r s o f t h e Burroughes and Watts competi t i o n ) m e t t h e i r W a t e r l o o i n b e ing drawn with Chcam, who d e f e a t e d t h e c r a c k L i n e s , t e a m b y t w o p o i n t s i n t h e f o u r t h r o u n d . R u s t o n B o i l e r W o r k s are however still in the running, and it would be a pleasure again to see a Lincoln team win one of these championships. In the Mackworth Praed com p e t i t i o n . B C o m p a n y, 3 r d B.L.A'.R. have survived the l o n g e s t , b u t t h e y w i l l h a v e t o improve in their scoring to get much farther in the competition. With regard to the Queen's Cup c o m p e t i t i o n G r i m s b y C e n t r a l have a good entry and this club can provide a county team which should make a. bold bid to secure again this trophy for the county. No competitions are in course o f r u n n i n g b y t h e C o u n t y A,ssociation, but the usual sum mer competition is expected to s t a r t t h i s m o n t h . The 3rd B.L.V.R. brought t h e i r w i n t e r p r o g r a m m e t o a s u c c e s s f u l t e r m i n a t i o n b y t h e h o l d i n g o f a w e e k ' s m e e t i n g . The prize distributions fo.r this and thfi long.range competitions took place at the Drill Hall on April 16. The championship for the long range competitions was won by Private T. Newton, and the Miniature Range Champion ship by -Armourer Sergeant F. Pearson. Lindfield K.C. This organisation, which has been made good use of by the B o y S c o u t s , h a s fi n i s h e d t h e year with a balance on the right side of ;^20 8.S. 4d. Subscrip tions and donations brought in £2q 17s. 6d., and special don a t i o n s f o r r i f l e s £ . 6 1 5 s . U p - w a r l s o f . £■3 0 w a s p a i d f o r ammunition. Silloth R.C. The season in connection with the Silloth Rifle Club closed with a handicap competition. A large number of members took part and .some very keen shoot ing was witnessed. J. Richard s o n w a s fi r s t w i t h a s c o r e o f 8 q out of a possible 00. T. Wallace, Bardsley and P.S. Grindall tied for second place, and the shoot off resulted in Wallace winning. B a r d s l e y w a s t h i r d a n d P. i S . Grindall fourth. CHALLENGES. Inserted free of charge. The Brokenhurst M.R.C, would like to arrange Post Matches, 25 yards range, open or aperture sights, slings, single- bull practice target; average 75. —W . E. Pither , Hon. Match Sec., Myrtle Cottage, Broken- hurst, Hants. Belvedere Rille Club, Peter borough, would like to arrange Post Matches. M yards range, open or aperture sights, 10 men aside, 5-bull Match Targets,— Challenges and Targets to J, H. Cowen, Hon. Match Secretary, 44, W alpole Street, Peter borough. Post Matches wanted. Finch- ley Special Constabulary, 25 yards range, 8 to shoot, all to count; first team, average g5; second team, average 90.—E. G. Hammond, 23, Squires Lane, Church End, Finchley N.3. Royal Marine Barracks (Chat h a m ) R . C . w o u l d l i k e P o s t Matches, 25 yards, open or aperture sights and slings, 8 or 10 men a-side, counting out ■ optional, — Drum-Major V. G. Bacon, R.M. Barracks, Ch"3t- ham. W a n t e d P o s t M a t c h e s f o r both First and Second T eams (averages 96 and 93), 8 or to a-side (latter preferretl), 7 or 8 to count. Open dates from end of .August. — Replies to A. E. Rasell, Associated Equipment R.C., Blackhorse Lane, W al- thamstow, E.17. Post Matches wanted, 10 to shoot, 8 to count; aperture sights and slings; to extend throughout week. Southgate R.C.—W. H. L a s t , 4 1 , Wa r w i c k R o a d , N e w Southgate, N.ii, Post Matches wanted, 25 yards range, 10 to shoot (8 to count), open sights, no slings, on 50 y a r d s c e n t r e b u l l ; e x t e n d throughout week.—E. C. Stearn, 50, Belvoir Road, Cambridge. Post Matches wanted, Devon Constabulary Exe Division and H e a d q u a r t e r s S t a f f R . C . ; 2 0 yards' range, aperture sights, 10 to shoot, 8 to count; average 95. —Se.'gt. Gill, Chief Constable's Office, . Devon Constabulary, Exeter . Endon R.C. would like to ar range Post Matches, 25 yards' range (outdoor), aperture sights, 8 to shoot, 6 to count; average 9 2 . A l s o L a d i e s ' t e a m w i s h t o arrange Post Matches, 25 yards, 6 to shoot, 4 to count, aperture sights, single bull. Matches to extend throughout week.—J. T. Robinson, Florence Terrace, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent. The Rich School Cadet Corps, Gloucester, would like to arrange Post Matches with other Cadet Corps for similar organisations), 25 yards' range, open sights, no slings, '(^.T.C. 15/20 yards " centre " target; 8 to shoot, 6 to count: 5 or 10 rounds per Cadet.—F. Davies, Lieut, and 35, Hinton Road, Kings- holm, Gloucester. RIFLEMEN'S SALES AND EXCHANGE, A d v e r t i s e m e n t s i n t h i s c o l u m n will be inserted at the rate ol id. p e r w o r d p e r i n s e r t i o n l o r p r i v a t e A d v e r t i s e m e n t s a n d I d . p e r w o r d l o r T r a d e A n n o u n c e m e n t s i f p r e paid. In consequence of the o r d e r r e c e n t l y i s s u e d u n d e r the Defence of the Realm R e g ^ u l a t i o n s i t i s n e c e s s a r y f o r b o t h b u y e r a n d s e l l e r t o obtain a special permit to purchase and sell respec t i v e l y b e f o r e a n y . 2 2 o r . 3 0 3 r i fl e s c a n b o d i s p o s e d o f b y ' m e m b e r s o f R i fl e C l u b s . S u c h p e r m i t s m u s t b e o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e C o m p e t e n t M i l i t a r y A u t h o r i t y f o r t h e d i s t r i c t . W a r O f fi c e M i n i a t u r e a n d S h o r t L e e - E n fi e l d R i fl e s w a n t e d i n a n y c o n d i t i o n b y A . G . P a r k e r & C o . , L t d . , B i s l e y Wo r k s , W h i t t a l l S t r e e t , B i r mingham. Ty p e w r i t e r w a n t e d , p a r t i c u lars and specimen writing to Rev . Chapman, Brentford, Middlesex. For sale, 15 ,303 Martini Rifles, excellent condition, never used for firing, complete with slings. Apply E. C., c/o Rifi.e- i\IAX. Wanted, Telescopic sight with m o u n t s c o m p l e t e , f o r m i n i a t u r e rifle. State make, magnification length, price. Pike, Barnacott, Stoke-Rivers, North Devon. Stevens .22 latest pattern rifle for sale, new condition, aperture backsight, bargain S2.s. 6d., or will exchange for latest B.S.A., giving cash in addition. Rey nolds, c/o Sissons Bros, and Co. Ltd., Hull. 8.M.R.C. VETERANS'COMPETITION, 1918 Open to Riflemen over 60 years of age. I St prize. Gold Badge. 2nd prize. Silver Badge. 3rd prize. Bronze Badge. An additional Bronze Badge will be awarded for the highest score at each range. No competitor may take more than one Badge. CONDITIO.NS. 3 0 s h o t s p e r m a n : — , 10 at 25 yards deliberate. ' S.M.R.C. Match target. 10 at 50 yards deliberate. S.M.R.C. Match target. 10 at 100 yards deliberatej S.M.R.C. Match target. - Special targets will be forwarded to competitors, and must be returned on or before July ist, duly signed by at least three indepen dent witnesses of the shooting. - Entries close on June 3rJ. Entrnnee fee, 2s. 6d. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKJuxE, 1918. 237 "DOMINION" BRAND. T H E B E S T BRITISH AMMUNITION FOR BRITISH MARKSMEN. NOBEL'S EXPLOSIVES COMPANY, LTD., GLASGOW 6 LONDON. nm'iietoSihi- . O N E H U N D R E D • imx~ LUBRJCA TED AND ESPECIALL Y LOADED FOR T ARGET ANO\ MA TCH SHOOTING M A N U ^ A C T U R S D i r ^ T H E ' Dominion Cartridge Co. . M O N T R E A L . C A N A D A WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >