The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-21
0UR RIFLE A FAILURE.
Army Magazine Weapon inaccurate
at MID and Long Ranges.

=
WASHINGTON, Jan. q, 1e97.-Ganeral
| Ruger. in General Orders from Governors $
Island headquarters, has published the
| report of Colonel Thomas Ward, depart
ment inspector Of small arms, with his
endorsement.
Colonel Ward says that the new maga-
zine rife 80 calibre has not until this
year been thoroughly tested under SER
vice conditions. The years practice
clearly demonstrated that in firing the
new arms accuracy diminishes as the
range increases. AS compared with
the old Springfield rifle the modern wea-
pom is found to be more accurate at
short ranges, less so at mid ranges and
much less SO at long ranges.
Indeed the results of the firing at long
ranges" says the report, ''have been so
discourage that many officers look upon
it as a waste Of ammunition and recon-
mend that only those making very high
percentage, at snort and mid ranges, be
advanced to firing at 800 and 1000 yards;
some advocating that the 1000 yard
range be entirely eliminated in Individual
practice on account of it's demoralizing
effect upon the man inasmuch as they
become impressed with their utter help
lessness at that range
'The bullet of the new range has been
shown to be highly susceptible of de-
Election by wind, etc. Allowance for in
fiuence of wind on the course of the bull
let is attained by the soldier at any
range by holding off, the objective:
with even a moderate wind blowing
across the line of fire, It is necessary at
and beyond the 500 yard range, to hold en-
tTely off the target. In the theoretical
instruction of the recruit he is taught
how to aim at the object it is desired to
hit; when he comes ITO practice, however,
1t is necessary to instruct him not to
aim at the object, but to aim at some
thing entirely different, and that by do
ing so he may hit the object. This an
omalIy IS appreciated perhaps even more
keenly by the old soldier, educated to
the niceties of the Springfield rifle sight,
however the fiat trajectory and great
penetration have immensely increased the
danger, space and ordinary trees will no
longer offer immunity from bullets. In
regard to speed it was found that in the
excitement of action, jamning and clog
ging would be frequent; that men will con-
tinue firing after the magazine was empty.
and that while five shots could be RAPIDLY
fired from the magazine the Springfield
was more rapid for twenty-five shots It
is also claimed that the use of the n1aga-
zine begetS careless or reckless shooting
while the single leader entailed delibera-
ton and more accurate aim Colonel
Ward strongly recommends building a tar
get range somewhere i'm the vicinity of
New York city which will be available for.
the use of all troops stationed in New
York harbor. The experience of the past
year has shown that target practice on
any of the reservations around New York
must necessarily he attended with great
risk of life and limb. This also applies
with but one or two exceptions to every
artillery post in the department Some
provision should be made for small arms
Barracks. D. c., and Columbus Barracks,
Ohio.
The use of the ground at Marshal Hall,
Md, has not been sanctioned by the War
Department; the reservation at Fort
Washington Nd, has been examined, but
does not afford a suitable rifle range; the
cost of constructing butts at Washington
Barracks for short range practice would
be very great and would not insure entire
safety