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Sierra 174 grain Match: This is the load used ina competition-tuned SMLE. Using 39.1 grains ofAR2208, this load averaged 1980 fps or a loss of 370fps in the shorter barrel. Recoil during the testsession was mild and fast follow-up shots werepossible. 185 grain lead: Bang, poof. A cloud of leadjust beyond the muzzle. More work needed.Using pistol powder offered a possible low recoilalternative to heavy loads. When coupled with the125 grain and 150 grain bullets a load of 12.5 grainsof AP-100 with a cotton wool wad produced anaccurate short range load that had very little recoil.The 125 grain Speer soft points gave the bestaccuracy with inch groups at 50 metres. They alsorecorded a decent velocity of 1100 fps. With sucha small amount of fast burning powder in the largecase it is extremely important that a filler is usedotherwise ignition and pressure problems will occur.ConclusionThe Mk.V Jungle Carbine was rushed intoservice at the end of a six year World War withlittle testing and a poor understanding of theconditions it would see service in. If history is tobe any judge then the Jungle Carbine was a failureas a military weapon. But then, the introduction ofthe SLR into British service in 1957, increased thefirepower for the infantry and consigned the militarybolt action rifle to highly specialised roles.But many of its characteristics are being reinventedtoday. Jeff Cooper’s Scout carbine concept sharesmany of the basic concepts developed for the JungleCarbine in its light weight and simplicity. With thebenefit of hindsight, a Jungle Carbine designedtoday would have a different flash suppressor ormaybe a muzzle brake and a stronger action. Butmany of the things in the existing design, its portabilityand its pointability stand out, would remain the same.Email : stuart@ospreyrifles.comTel : 0161 4083555Osprey Rifles‘The Savage Specialists’We still have a limited supply of precision target actionsfor sale at £500 for your next custom project. The newRRP is £920 so grab a bargain while you canURL : www.ospreyrifles.com40 Target Shooter