Christopher Fenning - Smallbore rifle shooting : a practical guide

First published in 2010 by The Crowood Press Ltd, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book edition first published in 2013

Christopher Fenning 2010

All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

ISBN 978 1 84797 506 5

Disclaimer
The author and the publisher do not accept any responsibility in any manner whatsoever for any error or omission, or any loss, damage, injury, adverse outcome, or liability of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any of the information contained in this e-book, or reliance upon it. If in doubt about any aspect of small-bore rifle shooting, readers are advised to seek professional advice.

Acknowledgements
This e-book is a gathering together of the thoughts and experience from all my years of shooting and this in turn is the experience of all those who have taught me how to shoot. Although the words written on these pages were written by me the content came from all the coaches, tutors and people who I have had the pleasure and privilege of shooting with, and I would like to express my thanks to everyone who I have learnt from for helping me, possibly unknowingly, to write this e-book.

As a personal note I would like to thank Nick Clark for his fantastic support and guidance. Nick has reviewed the content many times, suggesting improvements and changes as well as taking almost all of the photographs. This thanks should also be extended to his wife Chris for the fabulous chicken curry that sustained through the long nights of proof reading.

A huge thank you also goes to Phil Frost, Jon Weir and Peter Weir who spent many hours on a studio floor posing for the images used in this e-book as well as being the test subjects for many of the practice exercises. Without their patience and eagerness to help this e-book would not have been completed. Many of the photos were taken at Farm Studios near Bristol; we had a great day there and Nick Pitt was very helpful in setting up lighting and providing guidance on the day. On location shots have come from my home club of Bristol Invicta and also from Chippenham Rifle and Pistol club: thanks to these clubs for allowing the photos to be used.

Julie Simmons, Keith Simmons and Max Frost suggested content and loaned items of kit for the pictures. Their suggestions resulted in entire chapters being added and without their help this e-book would not be comprehensive. Writing a e-book for the first time would have been far more daunting had it not been for the staff at The Crowood Press guiding me through the process of preparing a e-book for print.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to Danielle Briggs who not only encouraged me to write this e-book but also provided me with the opportunity and the time in which I could write, sometimes from great distance.

Throughout history marksmanship has been a highly prized and sought-after skill developed during many hours of dedicated training and practice. In medieval times archers developed and perfected the techniques necessary to draw a longbow and release an arrow with deadly accuracy and a force that could penetrate the armour plating of opposing armies, as was demonstrated during the battle of Agincourt in 1415 when many a French knight perished.

Such was the importance of marksmanship that a law was passed in 1252 requiring every man between the ages of fifteen and sixty to equip himself with a bow. Training sessions were ordered by law, usually held on a Sunday. In many villages today there is still a street called The Butts, which marks the place where archers practised their skill, shooting at targets the butts.

Over time the need for archers has diminished and with advances in technology many new weapons have been developed, including the small-bore rifle. While British law does not prescribe weekly target practice, there remains within many a desire to master the skills of marksmanship. Today these skills are demonstrated at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games (along with other worldwide events), where Great Britain is represented by some of the most accomplished shooters in the land.

In past times, when many could not read or write, the skills of marksmanship were passed by word of mouth and improvement was relatively slow, with learning often limited to the knowledge of those within the village. As time has progressed so has the method of retaining and passing on knowledge.

The author has brought together many different pieces of information based upon his own experience and that of others, and has sorted them into a clear and logical order to provide an introduction into small-bore target rifle shooting, setting out the preliminary steps required for those that wish to start upon a journey of learning.

It is clear that the book will help a novice shooter learn the basic skills required to hit a target consistently and with accuracy. It is also recognized that the author has taken time to ensure that the experience is enjoyable, with a number of exercises to test the understanding and competence of a particular skill, which will benefit both the novice and experienced shooter.

Nicholas Clark
Great Britain and England
representative (19932008)

It is perhaps a little known fact that shooting is a surprisingly common activity. There are over 600 clubs with more than 10,000 people shooting small-bore rifle on a regular basis in the United Kingdom alone. For some, shooting is a recreational sport to be enjoyed with friends and provides an environment to meet like-minded people. For others, it is an intense challenge requiring discipline and effort with the goal of competing at club, county or international level.

Rifle shooting is one of a small number of sports open to almost anyone, irrespective of any disabilities, age, gender and fitness, factors that do not by themselves define who will be good or bad at shooting as they do with some other sports (although there are limitations to the type of shooting that can be done by people with a criminal record).

Each person takes something different from the sport. Some find it helps with concentration and patience; for others it provides an experience that is very different from their usual day to day activities.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Regardless of how old someone might be when they start learning to shoot, there is always a first time that they pick up a rifle and learn the basics of how to fire a shot. This book aims to take the reader from that shot onward, through increasing levels of understanding and competence, until they are able to shoot in competitions. It will offer advice and answers to common (and some not so common) questions, while also providing a comprehensive resource for club instructors and intermediate shooters who want to remind themselves of the basic techniques.

A small-bore rifle shooter wearing full prone position kit.