New-York tribune., 1900-04-15
MARKSlMANSHIP OF TO-DAY.
GROWING; INTEREST IN sHOOTING-GEN-
ERAL MERRITT TO BE PRESIDENT
OF NEW ASSOCIATION.

particularly good illustration of the ancient
adage truth is stranger than fiction is shown In
of the recent shooting contests and espe-
ciay so In the several shooting tournaments which
terminated at the recent Sportsmens Show in this
city. The shooting of fiction generally impos-
sibe with the old arms and ammunition but won
derful improveme have been made within few
years and is frequently admitted that the text of
old has at last been realized. At the sportsmens s
tournaments the records with the shotgun have
been startling, compared with great records
that have been made in the las. few years. The
work with rife, pistol and revolver is perhaps sti
graphic.
At this time interest in shooting is probably
greater than before. In England of the
enthusiasts now employing their pens to point
out the need Of extending every facility for estab
fishing rifle clubs. The has been brought be-
fore Parliament and will probably lead to abolish
ing the gun tax placed those who shoot
and providing rifles and ammunition at a nominal
cost for those who practise, we'll appropriat
ing desirable sites for the establishing of rifle
ranges. In the United States the interest has in
creased simply because of the peoples love of
shooting
In this country there restrictions on shoot
ing. while In England 1t is mainly the sport OF the
rich. Americans have gun licenses to secure;
there is no country In the world where first class
rifle be purchased for little money here;
ammunition is comparatively inexpensive; ranges
and galleries are numerous and accessible. AS a
result of these peculiar privileges rife shooting is
within the reach of almost every one who cares to
shoot. The boy procure light and extremely
accurate rifle for small sum; women have many
models to choose from, and the enthusiastic adult
male shooter has lines of rifles. pistols and re
volvers to select from. which other country in
the world possesses. They range in price from the
cheap to those of high cost, with beautiful finish
and much rich ornamentation. but cheap American
rifed firearms as rule possess much accuracy.
Reference has been made to the scores of to-day
equaliing surprising the mythical ones of old.
Not many years ago the usual standard of skill
to hit object you could see-that is. the
bull l's-eyes rifle or pistol targets made Of
Now. however. while the lrs-eyes are continued
about the same sizes, they are subdfvlded into
score means placing series on and in circle IA.
smaller than any living person could see TO sight
F. c. Ross of the Elite Rife Club, of Brooklyn:
who the championship match. with score OF
22s out Of possible 100 Was ia rare m
all of the hundred shots were within the bulIs
match making two perfect scores Of possible
rs points each.
American marksmen demand and expect rif$s
they can see to sight on with the naked eye. and
they know to a nicely the actual value OF ammunl-
ton for accuracy. Black powder is REGARDED as
The smokelcss and serni-snokeless powders nave
come into extensive use. and are demanded Tor
New rifle and revolver clubs are being estab-
lshed in different parts of this country, and there
men, which will include all the leading rife clubs
Of the United States the officers OF which include
Major-General Wesley Merritt. 7. S. A, will be
president of this organization. The United States
already is arranging for an international revolver
contest between French and American experts.
tionaI contests shot with rife and revolver under
the auspices of the League of American RffeT1en.
and shooting will be recognized as one OF the fer
most of American sports, second TO none in useful
to nation