Winter 2002 - National Rifle Association

From Yvonne Laceby-StevensShooting ExcusesThe traumatic experience of F Sgt Silver will, I am sure,never be capped. However I feel the following mightwell qualify as the most charming reason for a bad score.In 1958 as a member of Lloyds Bank Rifle Club, I tookpart in my first Bisley Meeting. I found myself ontarget 100 on the last detail of the day paired withS/M Riorche Scots Guards, a top shot of the time. Thegods of shooting threw every trick at him and he had atruly disastrous shoot. I was brash enough tocommiserate to be told “Nay, nay, I may be a big manbut at heart I’m a softie and couldna bear to beat a lassie.”A great shot and a fine man - just one of the manycharming people I was lucky enough to meet duringmy shooting days.From Tim ElliottNRA Aunts & Uncles Scheme - July 2002Once again this scheme worked admirably and mywarmest thanks goes to those who helped. I am not ableto contact all my Aunts and Uncles personally (I do notconsider emails an appropriate medium for this), but Ihave spoken to many to express my gratitude.Numbers, now that more non-first-timers are seekingguidance, were higher than ever and I reacted to a recorddemand, especially from overseas, for electronic copiesof the Imperial Meeting Guide, which I update each year.With the return of the cadet 7·62mm rifle for cadets nextseason (well, you have to look on the bright side, don’tyou), I expect – and wish to anticipate – increasingrequests for an Aunt or an Uncle; thus, if any of myreaders not already on my list feel that they would liketo help younger shooters in the most painless andpleasurable possible way, do please get in touch withme. My planning for 2003 has already started.TJ (Tim) ElliottLark Hill, Haynes West End, Bedfordshire MK45 3RBTel/ Fax: 01234 740334 Mobile: 07950 523991E-mail: tje@easynet.co.uk82WANTED7.62mm Fired Cartridge Cases, clean andundamaged. We will better any offer you havereceived and can arrange collection anywhereor from Bisley Camp by arrangement.We also will pay 3p each for .303 cases,we pay the carriage.Other calibres also wanted, links, chargers etc.Contact us at Proofmark for prices on01803 812058 or fax us on 01803 814103Registered Firearms Dealers since 1962Devon & Cornwall No 140E-mail: proofmark@talk21.comFrom Carol PaintingFiring Out of TurnTowards the end of the Imperial Meeting I heard of twocases where shooters had fired out of turn for the samereason. In each case, the shooter who committed theoffence was squadded on the right. In each case, afterthe centre shooter had fired, the target went down andcame up again, so the shooter on the right went into theaim and fired. The left shooter then said that it was his(or her) turn, but had not stated that he (or she) had notfired when the target went down.We all know that to fire out of turn is wrong andpunishable by losing a point. In one of these cases theRO agreed with the shooter on the right that he hadbeen misled by the left shooter saying nothing; his scorewas allowed to stand. In the other case the RO ruledthat the penalty must be paid, but the left shooter lostno points.What happened to the spirit of the rules?From Tim ElliottCambridge University Rifle AssociationI am updating the Cambridge University RifleAssociation Database and should be most grateful if anyNRA members who were members of CURA, and whoare not already being contacted routinely, could let meknow their details - Style, Initials, First Name, Surname,Address, Telephone Number, E-mail address and so on.If you are being contacted and your personal details areincorrect or may have changed, that too would be goodto know.Thank you very much.Tim (TJ) Elliott (Chairman):Lark Hill, Haynes West End, Bedfordshire MK45 3RBTel/ Fax: 01234 740334 Mobile: 07950 523991E-mail: tje@easynet.co.ukFrom RJ MaddisonStuck RoundsThe advice on removing stuck rounds given in theJournal should be followed with caution. Before startingto tap the rod, its position should first be marked. If,when tapping out, the rod moves more than a fewmillimetres but not the cartridge, then the bullet is beingset back in the case. If this happens, do not proceedfurther without advice from a qualified gunsmith orarmourer. It could be dangerous if the propellant iscompressed in the case.Military ammunition is designed to be used under roughconditions and in fully automatic weapons. Hencemilitary bullets are firmly crimped into the case and alsosealed. However, some commercial ammunition is lessfirmly crimped and the bullet may move when ‘tappingout’. In particular, for accuracy, most home loads areonly lightly crimped if at all, many relying only on thebullet’s fit in the case neck to secure it. This is perfectlyadequate for range use or in the field, but the bullet willset back if ‘tapped out’ as described.