=1383. Sight Correction.= You may find when firing at a target that the first shot has missed the bull's-eye or figure. Now, one of two things may be done in order to cause the second shot to hit the bull's-eye or figure: (1) The point of aim may be changed, or (2) the sights may be moved and the same point as before aimed at.

In order to do accurate shooting it is necessary to have a well-defined mark at which to aim; consequently, except for very slight corrections, the method of moving the sights, involving changes in elevation and windage, is the one to be used.

=Exercises.= In order to give the soldier practice in making corrections in elevation and deflection (windage),--that is, in sight-setting,--proceed as follows:

Take an "A" target and rule it off with red vertical lines to represent range and black or blue horizontal lines to represent windage deviations, as in Fig. 33. Tell the men to set their sights (either peep or open) for 200 yards, no windage. Examine the sights (a.s.sisted by the lieutenants, noncommissioned officers and expert riflemen).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 33]

Then say, for example, "You have fired a shot at 200 yards with your sights set as you now have them. The shot was marked here (pointing to 'P,' Fig. 33). Change your sights so as to move the next shot into the bull's-eye,--considering that you take the same hold as you did the last time."

(Note. In this case the sight should be lowered 75 yards and 2 points of left windage should be taken.)

Repeat with different positions for "P" until the men all understand the method and the reasons. Do same for 300 yards, 500 yards, and 600 yards. See Figs. 34, 35, and 36.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 34]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 35]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 36]

Explain that in firing no change in sights should be made until the man is sure that his hold was good, and then change without hesitancy.

The correct use of sights and their proper adjustment can thus be taught without firing a shot. This exercise will save much time and work on the range.

=Elevation.= As previously explained, raising the rear sight increases the range of the bullet and lowering it decreases the range.

The amount of change which a given amount of elevation will cause in the point struck varies with the range and with the rifle and with the ammunition used.

For example, generally and approximately, in order, at a range of 500 yards, to change the point struck 1 foot, the rear sight must be changed 48 yards, while to change the point struck 1 foot at 1000 yards it must be changed 12 yards. That is to say, if you fired a shot at 300 yards, and then with the same aim, hold and other conditions as before, you _raised_ your rear sight 48 yards, the next shot would strike the target 1 foot _above_ the first one, and if you _lowered_ the rear sight 48 yards, the bullet would then strike the target 1 foot _below_ the first one. If firing at 1000 yards, _raising_ the rear sight 12 yards would cause the bullet to strike the target 1 foot _higher_ and _lowering_ the rear sight 12 yards would cause it to strike 1 foot _lower_.

The following table gives the approximate changes in the rear sight to move the point struck 1 foot at ranges from 100 to 1000 yards:

+-----------------------------------+ | | Correction in elevation | | Range | necessary to change the | | | point struck 1 foot | +---------+-------------------------+ | 100 | 415 | | 200 | 185 | | 300 | 105 | | 400 | 70 | | 500 | 48 | | 600 | 35 | | 700 | 25 | | 800 | 20 | | 900 | 15 | | 1,000 | 12 | +---------+-------------------------+

The score-books issued by the Ordnance Department contain elevation charts and all you have to do is to consult the chart of your score-book in order to get the amount of elevation necessary at any particular range in order to raise or lower your shots any desired distance.

=1384. Deflection (windage).= Corrections in the deflection (side movement) of the bullet are made by means of the windage screw that moves the movable base, each division of the graduations on the rear end of the movable base being called a "point of windage."

_One point of windage moves the point struck 4 inches for each 100 yards of range._

That is to say, at 100 yards, 1 point of windage moves the point struck 4 inches; at 200 yards, 8 inches (2 4); at 300 yards, 12 inches (3 4), etc.

Consequently, if at 100 yards the wind were carrying your bullets 8 inches to the side, you would take two points of windage to get the bull's-eye, and if the wind were carrying your bullets 20 inches to the side, you would take 5 points of windage, irrespective of the rate at which the wind was blowing.

Again, if at 200 yards the wind were carrying your bullets 8 inches to the side, you would take 1 point of windage, and if it were carrying your bullets 20 inches to the side, you would take 2-1/2 points, irrespective of the rate at which the wind was blowing.

In using the wind gauge remember _windage is always taken in the direction from which the wind is coming (into the wind) and the bullet moves in the same direction that the rear sight moves,--that is, if the wind is coming from the right, you take right windage and the bullet will strike to the right. Likewise if you move the rear sight to the left (take left windage), the bullet will strike to the left_.

GALLERY PRACTICE

=1385. Object and importance.= After the soldier has been thoroughly instructed in sighting, and in the position, aiming, deflection, and elevation correction drills, he is exercised in firing at short ranges (50 and 75 feet) with the gallery practice rifle (.22 caliber).

Notwithstanding the value of the position and aiming drills, it is impossible to keep up the soldier's interest if these exercises are unduly prolonged. By gallery practice, however, the interest is easily maintained and further progress, especially in teaching the trigger squeeze, is made. Many of the external influences, which on the range affect the firing, being absent, the soldier is not puzzled by results for which, at this stage of his education, he could not account were he advanced to firing with full charges. Furthermore, as there is no recoil to induce nervousness or flinching, the soldier soon finds that he can make good scores, and this success is the surest stimulus to interest.

Not only to the beginner is gallery practice of value; to the good shot it is a means of keeping, to a certain extent, in practice, and practice in shooting, as much as in anything else, is essential. Since it can be carried on throughout the year, gallery practice is of much value in fixing in the men the _habit of aimed fire_, than which nothing in his training is of more importance.

RANGE PRACTICE

=1386.= Having completed the gallery practice course, the soldier is then advanced to known-distance firing on the target range where he uses the service rifle, with service ammunition.

This known-distance practice is divided into certain regular courses and special courses.

The regular courses and Special Course A are for troops of the Regular Army.

There is also a special course for the Organized Militia and Volunteers and one for Volunteer recruits.

All the various courses are described in detail in the Small-Arms Firing Manual and anyone having occasion to use any of them should familiarize himself thoroughly therewith.

OTHER INSTRUCTION

=1387. Use of sling.= After the soldier has been drilled in the proper standing, kneeling, sitting, and p.r.o.ne positions in the foregoing exercises, the use of the sling will be taught. Adjustments and their advantages will be taught with the idea of noninterference with quickness and freedom of action. The trigger squeeze exercises will then be continued in the different positions, using the sling.

=1388.= _Description and adjustment._ The sling is made up of four parts: the long strap, A, forming the arm loop; the short strap, B; and the two keepers, C and D. At one end of each of the straps there is a metal claw, used for adjusting the straps. At the other end of the short straps there is a metal loop through which the longer strap is pa.s.sed, thus connecting the two straps.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 37]

To adjust the sling for firing, the claw of the short strap is disengaged and reengaged in the proper holes of the short strap, such adjustment as may be necessary being also made in the long strap (the arm loop).

=1389.= _What the sling does._ It does two things: (1) It steadies the rifle, and (2) helps to take up the recoil,--that is, to reduce the "kick."

_Its use._ There are a number of different methods of using the sling.

Experiment with different ones until you find and decide upon the method best suited to you.

The sling should be used in all firing,--combat practice as well as at target practice.

Always adjust the sling so that it will be tight.

Have the arm loop no longer than is necessary to reach the middle of the small of the stock. When on the arm, have the lower end of the arm loop well up near the arm pit, with the keeper well pressed down so as to hold the loop fast.

Note the proper adjustments of the sling for the different firing positions,--that is, standing, sitting, kneeling, and p.r.o.ne, and mark the adjustments on the inside of the arm loop, "St" (standing), "Si"

(Sitting), "K" (kneeling), and "P" (p.r.o.ne).

It is sometimes advisable to sew a piece of rope to your shirt sleeve to keep the sling from slipping down.