GUNS Magazine January 1957

F i
J.
Free d e ma& by Walter Lienhard for MIS@. Thomas
,Grkout is 7.5 mm caliber on straight-pull bolt action.
Lion smallbore d e has bolt handle which lo& Anschutz free Ae receiver is round like smallbore
. down into rear of receiver machimed from solid steel. Makrs. Trigger adjusting screw hole is by bolt cut.
interest was the Olympic finals at Camp Perry. hoking
like a shantytown of squatters, a hastily-improvised freerifle
firing point was thrown together from 200 yard target
frames and old canvas tarps. At the pits, each target
was pulled and scored for each shot. That 3Wmeter
target seemed very small to the men in the wind breaks.
And they were so right! The target has smaller scoring
rings in proportion to range than any target commonly
used in the U.S. The ten ring is 10 centimeters (3.937")
in diameter, and it encloses an "X" ring five centimeters
across. Each scoring ring increases the target diameter by
10 centimeters. The bullseye aiming pint includes the
five ring. Two hours each are allowed for firing the prone
and heeliig stages, and 2% hours for standing. .
Smallbore free rifle matches are similar, but are fired
at !30 meters. The scoring rings are the same as those
of the NRL~ 5Cbmekr tournament target, but there are
two more rings ixb the black .on the international target,
giving a larger and better aiming mark. The ten ring is
two centimeters (0.787") and-the X-ring has a diameter
of one centimeter. Each additi6nal ring adds two centimeters
to.the target diameter. Prone takes 1% hours,
two hours for kneeling, and up to 2lh hours for the
standing stage. A palm rest may be used-for standing
shooting, and a roll pad is allowed to support the instep
for kneeling. Because no American free rifles have been
made on a ~roduction basis. the would-be free-rifie shooter
must have a rifle custom-built or import one from Europe.
Free rifles, which have been developed almost entirely
in continental Europe, are built on rugged singlpshot
actions. This is generally an action desiged especially for
the purpose, not a converted military or sporting rifle.
The barrel is completely free of the stock. Therefore, the
point of impact of the shots at the target is less likely to
shift because of changes in position, sling pressure, or stock
warpage.
A free rifle stock is made to fit the shooter, withou~
counting the cost or considering the size of blank from
which it is sha~ed. This is the most obvious difference
between American production target rifles and free rifles.
The grip is shaped close for good trigger control. Most
stocks have a hole for the thumb, and some are shaped
with a thumb rest. Stocks have high combs with a cheekpiece,
giving maximum comfort -in all positions. The
bottom of the stock is generally full to give additional
support by contact with-the chist when &ing from the
standing position.
Butt plates are adjustable, with a curved lower prong
that Dasses under the arm in firing. This kee~s the
rifle [n the proper position on-the shoilder and acb as a
lever for supporting the rifle, in' the standing position.
The forearm .on all of the European made rifles is of a