Evening journal., 1908-12-21
RIFLE PRACTICE
BY SCHOOLBOYS
Organization of Many Student
Shooting Clubs Through
out Country

WASHINGTON, ID. C., Dec. i.-Slnce
the interest in schoolboy rife practice has
become so pronounced owing to the sue
cessful tournaments which have been held
in New York and Washington and which
are planned for other cities the National
Board for promotion Of rifle practice has
received many inquiries as to the lines
on which schoolboy rifle clubs should be
organized. This work was taken up some
time since by the National Rife Associa-
tion Of America, with headquarters in
Washington, and tho bylaws were
amended TO provide for affiliated clubs
from institutions Of learning and fifth
class was added to the membership To
become eligible 10 be affiliated with the
National Rife Association, twenty or more
students must organize themselves into
a club first securing the consent of the
school authorities. A president, treasurer,
secretary and captain are elected from
the members and bylaws provided by the
National Rife Association must be adopt
ed These bylaws provide that all rife
and revolver competitions held by the
club shall he governed by the rules and
regulations as laid down by the National
Rifle Association and that any amend
ment to the bylaws shall he submitted to
the National Rife Association for its ap-
proval.
Compete For Medals.
Such clubs when admitted to affiliated
membership are presented annually with
a medal for competition among its mem
bers. Combination targets and score
sheets are also furnished free to the club
for the purpose Of giving its members an
opportunity TO qualify on the indoor range
as Junior marksmen. Competitions for the
National Rifle Association medal must be
held on an outdoor range at 200 Yards on
what is known as the "A" target Any
military rifle and any ammunition may be
used and there are two sighting shots and
ten shots for record in the standing and
prone positions. Where the club has no
range Of its own the National Rife Asso-
citation secures permission to use the near
est range Of the regular army, national
guard or rife club.
Junior Marksman's Medal.
The Junior Marksnian's Medal Is given
only TO schoolboys under IS years Of age
/ It is contested for with any % callbre
rife, with sights IN front Of the firing pin,
| glass barred. Any ammunition may be
used. The distance is nifty feet and the
target the regular National Rlne Associa-
/ ton ffty-foot gallery target with one
| inch bulls eye. Ten shots are fired Off
hand and ten prone with no sighting
shots To qualify a competitor must make
not less than forty points standing and
! a. points prone. or a total OF So out OF a
possible 100. It is possible also for boys
to qualify as Junior marksmen on what is
known as a subtarget gun machine where
no ammunition is used hut where the
shots are recorded electrically upon a
target. To qualify on this machine com.
petitor must make score Of 45 or better
in ten shots standing. There are also
junior marksmen's medals which NAV be
won by boys on the outdoor ranges, a e.
S. army rife or military approved by
the National Rife Association being used
with any ammunition preferred. The dis.
tance is 2o0 yards with ten shots stand.
ing and ten shots prone and two sighting
shots at each position. Not less than forty
points standing and forty-two points
prone or a total of eighty-two points out
of a possible 100 must be made in order to
qualify
Clubs at Colleges.
Systematic effort Is being made to Sc.
cure the formation of such rife clubs il
all agricultural colleges receiving suppor
from the government. at all military
schools where regular army officers arc
detailed as instructors and at high schools
which have cadet companies. Delaware
College already has organized a rifle club
4 large number Of such schools have al
readv affiliated with the National Rife
Association. The association gives a media
annually for competition among the mem.
bers OF each school boy club.