The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-11-25
FOR GOOD CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Provisions Sought by National Board
for the Practice Of Rifle and
Revolver Practice.

The probability that congress will
make provision at it's next annual ses-
sion for large annual appropriation to
be devoted to the purchase of ranges, the
equipment of ranges, indoor and outdoor,
distribution of ammunition to organiza-
tons of riflemen, etc., in accordance
with the plan drafted by the national
board for the promotion of rifle prac-
tice, is responsible for renewed interest
in rifle and revolver shooting, says the
Albany Argus There are three, even
four, requisites to good Workmanship;
q gun, target, ammunition and place
to shoot. The national board has an
nOunced its desire to secure an enroll
ment in the national marksman's re-
serve of from 100000 to 10000 men,
and if congress is really in earnest ade-
Quate provisions must be made for the
guns, ammunition, targets, and, above
all, ranges.
But, pending appropriations for this
purpose, those desiring to learn to shoot
can find considerable amusement and
experience that will be valuable later
with rifle, by undertaking to estimate
distances. In the days to come more
and more attention will be paid to shoot
ing at unknown distances and to get into
the front rank of shooters, skill in es-
timating distances is essential Practice
in this can be obtained very easily by
first learning to step distances correctly
one step to the yard, and then, in course
OF stroll through town or country, Sc
1ecting an object, estimating the dis
lance and counting the number of steps
necessary to reach it.
This proposition appears to be asimple
one, but it is more difficult than it seems
and the results especially if the trails
are made by parties of four or more, will
be amusing as well as instructive. Some
time ago party of IS or 40 gentlemen,
the most expert rifle shots in the coun-
try, were gathered at Sea Girt, New Jer-
sey, for the matches on the result of
which depended the selection of team
to go to England to shoot for the Palma
trophy. Some one asked how far it was
to certain fence and Immediately every
man estimated the distance After much
good natured bantering the distance was
paced and the result was ludicrous
Every one had over-estimated the dis
lance, the closest guess being so yards
out OF the way, while the majority ex-
coded it by 200 yards Yet II of those
same men went to England and won the
biggest International rifle match the
world has ever seen.
Do you know:
That at 80 yards the white of a mans
eye is plainly seen and the eyes them
selves up to 80 yards?
That at 100 yards all parts of the body
are seen distinctly, slight movements
are perceptible, and the minute details
of the uniform can be distinguished?
That at 200 yards the outlines of the
face are confused and the rows of but
tons look like stripes?
That at 400 yards the face is a mere
dot, but all movements of the legs and
arms are still distinct?
That at 600 yards details can no longer
be distinguished, though files of a squad =,
II the light is strong, can be counted?
That at 800 yards the men in a. squad
cannot be counted nor their Individual
movements distinguished?
At 1000 yards a line of men resem-
bles board belt; the direction of their
march, can, however be readily deter
mined. At 1900 yards cavalry can be
distinguished from infantry, and at 2, 900
yards mounted man usually appears as
mere speck.
Yet in these days of long range weap-
ons battles are fought at a distance of
1000 yards, and it is desirable for marks
men to qualify at that range The new
rifle, with which our troops are to be
equipped, has maximum effective fight
Ing range of 4,781 yards, or more than
two and one-half miles, In other words,
bullet from this rifle will kill or disable
at greater distance than the man firing
1t can distinguish an individual enemy
from the surrounding landscape.
Ingenuity of Inventors.
A sensational story of Is years ago,
when motor vehicles were novelties.
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