Marine Rifle Squad

2-8
caused by slight variations in aiming, holding, trigger squeeze, powder charge,
wind, or atmosphere. As the bullets leave the muzzle of a weapon, their trajectories
form a cone shaped pattern known as the cone of fire. (See fig. 2-5.)
CONE OF
FIRE
.TRAJECTORIES
BEATEN
Figure 2.5. Cone of Fire and Beaten Zone.
2304. Beaten Zone
The cone of fire striking a horizontal target forms a beaten zone which is
long and narrow in shape. Beaten zones on horizontal targets vary in length.
As range increases, the length of the beaten zone decreases. The slope of
the ground affects the size and shape of the beaten zone. Rising ground
shortens the beaten zone; ground sloping downward at an angle less than
the curve of the trajectories lengthens the beaten zone. Ground that falls off
at an angle greater than the fall of the bullets will not be hit and is said to
be in defilade.
2305. Classes of Fire
Riflefire is classified both with respect to the target (direction) and with respect
to the ground.
a. Fire With Respect to the Target. (See figs. 2-6 and 2-7.)
(1) Frontal Fires. Fires delivered perpendicular to the front of a target.
(2) Flanking Fires. Fires delivered against the flank of a target.