Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/319

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��eo. M. Petersen yf

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��IN these times, when efficiency for military service is the principal requirement of men, it is well for everyone to understand thoroughly the handling of firearms and how to use them most effectively. Not only is such knowledge a protection, but the Govern- ment gives increased pay to those men who can qualify as sharpshooters or experts.

Of course there are numerous exercises which may be practiced to good advantage, but there is nothing which will perfect your shooting like real firing on a range.

Even as a mere pastime, shooting is beneficial, as it trains the eye, the hand and the entire nervous system so that they may be kept under absolute control. A rifle range can be laid out and built anywhere where there is space enough to get the different ranges or positions desired and to care for the bullets after they pass through the target.

The most common methods of construct- ing the pits or "butts," as they are termed, are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the latter type being the most generally used. The type shown in Fig. 3 is for pistol and small-caliber rifles only, and should never be used for high- power sporting or military rifle work as there is a possibility of the bullets passing through the wooden retaining wall and injuring someone. -

The best ground for a rifle range is smooth and level or it has only a moderate slope. The targets should preferably be on the same level as the firer or slightly above him. Firing downhill should be avoided. The light should also be considered when laying out a range. If possible, the firing should be toward the north or slightly east of north so

��that a good light will be on the targets during the greater part of the day. Security and suitable ground are much more im- portant than direction of light, however, so that naturally they must be considered first.

As high-power sporting and army rifles have a range of from two to three miles, it is imperative that an effective bullet stop be provided behind the targets to prevent the bullets passing through the targets and killing or injuring someone in the far distance. Where the butts are situated on the bank of a large body of water, so that the bullets will drop into the water without doing any harm on the way, it is only necessary to have a lookout stationed at one side of the butts and high enough so that he may observe the entire field of fire with the aid of

���One of the common methods of constructing a pit or butt, behind which is the target

field glasses. This lookout is responsible for stopping the firing when a boat is passing within range of the rifle fire. He accom- plishes this by lowering a large red flag to half mast. As soon as the person in charge

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