Chapter XVI: Part I: Care of Arms, Grouping and Range Practices

It is essential that the Sniper shall have a really clean rifle if
he is to obtain the extreme accuracy that is required of him. By a
clean rifle I mean a rifle in the cleaning of which not only have all
the normal precautions been taken, but, in addition, the bore has
received a very high polish. This high polish is of great importance
to accurate shooting, and to be efficient as a Sniper you must be far
more accurate than the average Service Shot. Hence the necessity for
going rather deeply into Care of Arms.

AVOIDABLE CAUSES OF INACCURACY:

OILY BARREL:

Is a great cause of inaccuracy, as the resistance offered to the
bullet in its passage down the bore is varied, and thus the shooting
of the rifle becomes inconsistent.

OILY BREECH:

This prevents correct “seizing” in the breech, and tends to lead to
a blow-back. If a blow-back occurs there is a loss of driving power,
muzzle velocity is decreased and accuracy is lost.

CORDWEAR:

Is caused by misuse of the pull-through, and usually occurs at the
muzzle, but in cases of extreme negligence it may be found in the
chamber. When it occurs at the muzzle, gases escape through the cord
groove as the bullet is leaving, thus forcing it in the opposite
direction. If in the chamber, it is a source of weakness, and a burst
chamber may be the result.

FIXING THE BAYONET:

Musketry Regulations inform us that with the “S.M.L.E.” the effect of
fixing the bayonet is to throw your shot 18 inches high at 200 yards’
range. This is because the extra weight slows down the vibration,
and thus converts a _negative_ into a _positive_ jump. Hence, as a
Sniper, you will fire without your bayonet fixed.

(_Note_:--From tests carried out at this First Army School of S.O.S.
it would appear that Musketry regulations greatly over-estimate the
effect caused by fixing the bayonet.)

HOLD:

Unless the Sniper reproduces the same hold for each shot and when he
rests his rifle rests it always at the same point (for preference the
middle band), his shooting can never be consistent.

AMMUNITION:

Different makes of S.A.A. give slightly different elevations on the
target. This is because the Powders burn at different rates, thus
slightly altering the jump.

WARPED WOODWORK:

The fore-end is fitted so as not to influence the barrel when firing.
The barrel must be able to lie perfectly straight as each shot leaves
it. If the fore-end is warped (and warped fore-ends are common) the
barrel will be unable to lie as was intended, and erratic shooting
will result.

CAUSES:

1. Wet entering between the barrel and the fore-end.

2. Unequal dryness such as caused by rifle lying in hot sun or in
front of fire.

3. Dry woodwork.

4. Twisting of wood through insufficient seasoning before use.

PREVENTION OF:

Oil all woodwork daily, ensuring that the oil penetrates between
the hand-guard, fore-end and barrel.

CURE OF:

Armourer refits fore-end.

SOME UNAVOIDABLE CAUSES:

NICKELLING OR METALLIC FOULING:

Is really an obstruction in the bore caused by a portion of the
envelope of the bullet becoming brazed on the surface of the bore.
It is a cause of great inaccuracy, and its presence should always be
looked for. When found, it must be removed. This should be done by an
Armourer.

EROSION:

Is the gradual increase in the size of the bore, and is caused
through the heat generated by the gases slightly fusing the metal.
The gases rushing over the metal carry away minute particles of the
steel. This is the factor which decides “The Life of the Barrel” for
purposes of real accuracy.

DRIFT:

Is the continual deviation of the bullet in the direction of the
rifling. About one minute, _i.e._, one inch per 100 yards, must be
allowed for this at the longer ranges in sniping.

OTHER DEFINITIONS:

SUPERFICIAL FOULING:

The fouling that appears in the bore immediately after firing. It
is then quite soft and easily removed, but if allowed to remain, it
becomes hard, difficult to remove and, by attracting moisture from
the air, begins the rusting process.

INTERNAL FOULING:

Fouling that actually gets below the surface of the metal when
firing; this gradually sweats its way to the surface and should be
removed as it appears.

(_Note_:--If cleaned with really boiling water, the pores are
reopened, internal fouling is removed, and thus the cause of
sweating is done away with. The Barrel must, however, be dried
immediately, or the cure will be worse than the complaint.)

CORROSION:

Is the black pock-mark or indentation left in the bore after removing
rust.

CLEANING RODS:

Finally it is suggested that a cleaning-rod properly used is better
than a pull-through: each Battalion is authorized to hold 32 of these
Rods on Charge. (See G.R.O.’s 512, 540 and 2,094.)

GROUPING AND RANGE PRACTICES:

It must be understood that Grouping with the Open Sights is a
definite test of (_a_) the rifle, and (_b_) the man.

Grouping is a practical system of locating faults, and it is of the
utmost importance that such faults, having once been located, should
at once be corrected. It should also be clearly understood that a
man’s average group at a given range, _i.e._, 100 yards, will (except
for the error of the day) be the measure of his capacity at all
ranges. For instance, if his average at 100 yards be a 3-inch group,
his best standard will be a 6-inch group at 200 yards, 9-inch group
at 300 yards, 12-inch group at 400 yards, and so on.

Unless this fact is clearly understood, we shall have our men making
shot corrections when actually shooting up to standard, and if this
is done, consistent shooting can never be obtained.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM A GROUP:

1. If a man makes a vertical group it is fairly safe to assume that
he is making one of the following errors:

(_a_) Varying amount of fore-sight taken.
(_b_) Varying point of Aim.
(_c_) Not restraining his breathing when trigger-pressing.

2. If he makes a lateral group his error will be usually found among
the following:

(_a_) Incorrect centreing of fore-sight.
(_b_) Varying point of Aim.
(_c_) Bad let-off.

3. If he gets a good group, but wide of the aiming mark, it will
be safe to assume that his rifle is throwing wide and should be
corrected at once by alteration of fore-sight. For this reason the
Armourer or other qualified person should be present when grouping is
being carried out.

4. If a man’s shots are widely scattered, it will be necessary to
carry out the Analysis of faults, _i.e._:

R. Test Rifle.
A. Test Aim.
T. Test Trigger-pressing.
S. Test Sight.

You should by this time have discovered the fault, but remember it is
of no use having found it unless you can cure it before proceeding
further.

5. If the rifle be correct the point of Mean Impact should be 5
inches above the point of Aim. If incorrect the fore-sight should be
altered. The following can be got on indent for this purpose.

Cramp R.S.L.M.E.

Supply of fore-sights in nine different heights.

RANGE PRACTICES:

Nothing definite can be laid down on account of the lack of uniform
targets, ranges, etc., but the following hints may be of value:

1. If a liaison be cultivated between Battalion Sniping officers in
the Brigade, it will be easy to improvise a Range and Target for the
use of the Battalion in rest.

2. When in divisional rest it is usually possible to find a Range
ready for use in the Training Area.

3. Excellent work and all Zeroing can be done on even a 30-yard range
by the really keen officer.

4. Training in shooting should be carried out with an Open and _not_
a Telescopic sighted rifle, which should be kept for:

(_a_) Snapping Practice.
(_b_) Shooting in order to Zero.
(_c_) Killing the enemy.

It is important that the barrels of these rifles should not be worn
out in practice shooting.

5. All training should be made progressive and where possible
competitive.

6. The first essential is extreme accuracy, after which the
Instructor must coach up for rapid snapshooting, the ultimate
standard being looked upon as the ability to get off a really good
shot under two seconds.

7. Always start with a Grouping Practice and eliminate faults as they
are discovered.

8. Re zero Telescopic sighted rifles: to ascertain that they have
maintained their correctness each time you are out of the trenches,
and arm only your best shots with these rifles.

9. Improvise cover on the Range and make all Snipers’ fire practices
under as near as possible Service Conditions.

10. Although normally he will not fire Rapid, keep your sniper
efficient in this valuable art.

11. You may at any time become a casualty, therefore train your
N.C.O.’s to carry on in your absence.