The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-16
GUARDS NEW RIFLE RANGE.
Being Built Along side the Armory
building.

building.
\ rifle, revolver and pistol rance is he
ing built by the Savannah Volunteer
Guards at the armory. The range is to oc-
cupy the heretofore vacant space on the
Charlton street side of the armory.
The ground is now being reclaimed from
the small boy; by whom it was used as
somewhat restricted base ball field Car
penters are at work, and have almost
completed a fence along Charlton street.
This fence which is of boards and about
u feet in hight, runs the entire length of
the range. Sheds will be built at either
end. One of these sheds will shelter the
marksmen, and the other the targets. A
double door has already been cut on the
ground floor of the armory to give en-
trance to the range.
The length of the range will be $50 feet.
The space between the sheds sheltering
the marksmen and the targets will be left
uncovered. To guard against acct
dents In the discharge of guns,
however, wire screens will be placed over
head. These screens will not run horl-
zontally, but vertically. About three OF
them will be required at certain intervals
to afford a barrier against accidental dis
charges from elevated pieces.
There will be targets for the 200, 300, 400
500 and 600 yards ranges. To those unfa>
miliar with the shortened ranges, the plan
upon which such ranges are had is an
enigma. The secret is in the markings
on the targets and the reduced charge of
powder and the smaller bullet. The
greater the distance the smaller the mark,
ings, so that the bulls eyes and concen-
trio circles upon the targets of the 200
800, 400 500 and 600 yards ranges decrease
in their diameters In progression.
The change in the targets
rectifies the distance and estab-
fishes conditions that, with the re-
duced charges, give approximately the
same results as are had upon the ranges
of the actual distances. The only differ
ence is the absence of windage and the
niceties of the elevations for atmospheric
conditions.
These drawbacks are overcome by q de-
vice of pasting black spots on the targets.
The whole adjustment of a shortened
range entails a great amount of study and
careful calculation, but the results are
very satisfactory and there are points of
convenience that highly commend one.
The range can be constructed in some
place where its use will not involve the
inconvenience of a long trip and can also
be used In winter. That to be used by
the Guards being at the armory will
QOuDIeSS cause an Increased interest IN
rifle practice.
The range, it is expected, will
be finished this week It's con-
struction has been contemplated by
the Guards for a long while, and it was
definitely decided about three weeks ago
to build it. A special committee, consist
ing of Lieut.. w. T. Hopkins, Lieut. f. C.
Wilson and Lieut.. c. s. Richmond, was APP
pointed, and the entire management of the
work placed in its charge.
The officers of the Guards expect a great
benefit from the range on account of it's
being ready at hand for instruction in
rifle practice. The practical illustrations
to be gained from it of the use of the rifle
are regarded as being very valuable.
The advantage of having the range
in the open air is considered of great i'm
portance. Artificial light is deceptive to
the marksman and a difference between
it and the sun light is at once apparent
to him when a change is made. The con-
struction of the range on the lot instead
of in the basement of the armory, as was
at one time the idea, will give far greater
satisfaction than it would had it been
built i'm the close basement.