THE BRITISH ARMY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2496, 8 May 1909, Page 2

THE BRITISH ARMY.

THE NEW MUSKETRY COURSE

Tito new musketry course for 1969, which will be fired by both Regulars and Territorials, consists of three parts, in all of which the grouping of shots is made a great point. The first .part, to be fired on miniature ranges, is an instructional practice on second-class bull’s-eyes and 'first class figures, from 100 to *SOO yards, twenty rounds lying and kneeling. The second part is also instructional, but-fired on full ranges. The’ first five shots will bo fired lying, with bayonets fixed, in slow time, at a second-class figure on a 300 yards range, to be followed by five rounds in 40 seconds at a first-class figure on a similar range, lying. In the. third course the .soldier will have to lie behind a cover of stones or sandbags, and fire with the side of his rifle only rested, the object being a vanishing silhouette, at 400 yards, exposed for five seconds for each shot. Tho final round of this part is five shots lying, in thirty-five seconds, at a finst-class figure on a 400 yards range. The third part, which will be the standard test, consists of twentythree rounds at ranges of from 100 to 500 yards. The first section is a grouping practice, five rounds to be fired lyin” at a second-class elementary • 100 yards bull’s eye, and the grouping standard will be all shots in the 12-inch ring. Snap-shooting will be tested by five rounds lying at a second-class figure on a 200 yards range, the rifleman taking cover, and being allowed five seconds only for each-shot. Five hits on the target are put down as tlie grouping standard. The last test is for rapid firing, eight rounds to be fired lying at a"first-class figure .on the 500 yards range.. One minute only will be allowed, and the chamber and magazine are to be emptv until the command, “Rapid fire!” is given. The grouping standard is six hits on the target. Jo reach the qualification standard it will be necessary to obtain 30 points in the standard test. In addition a course of field practices has been set out.