The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-16
WILL SELECT SITE
FOR RIFLE RANGE
Military Authorities Will Provide
Shooting Ground for Local
Troops.
WALLACE LOOKING FOR SITE
Indoor Ranges Fail to Drill
Men in Allowance for
Wind.

local RHO range for the use or
Richmond militia In target practice
Viii be established shortly. Captain
Charles NJ. Wallace was designated
yesterday by Adjutant- General W. w.
sale to inquire into n proper location
convenient 10 some suburban car line,
and suitably located for tho purpose.
captain Wallace is one OF the most ac
curate and experienced rifle shots In
Richmond, and has taken rart III com
petitions many ranges Including
the State camp site at Virginia Beach.
and the government rifle range at
Camp Perry, ohio. The local range is
TO be 500 yards long
General Sale said yesterday that that
distance would give the men drill In
aiming, in tho proper handling or
arms. and In wind resistance. and that
man thoroughly drilled in the hand
ling of a rifle on q 6OO-yard local
range could in very short time extend
his range TO 1900 yards by practice
at the state rifle range at Virginia
Beach
Need to Allow for Wind.
When the Blues Armory was erected
a short rifle gallery was provided, but
il has never leen properly equipped
nor has t been used to Il great extent
save for pistol practice. The new
First Regiment Arpory. now rising
above the first floor viii provide an
excellent range for the full length OF
the building. General Sale explained
yesterday that these indoor ranges at
forded excellent practice and that by
a system Of reducing the amount OF
the charge, the same effect might be
secured in target work as on n stand
ard ull-length rifle range. except for
tho matter of wind allowance
1t was failure to make proper al
I
poor showing of tho Virginia team re-
Gently sent to Camp Perry II was
composed OF the best material Gen
eral Sale stated, that this State has
ever entered in such competition,
and the men punched their shots we'll.
but failed to make a sufficient allow
| ance for a strong wind. Another year
it is the hope of the Adjutant- General
to have an expert army coach for the
Virginia rifle team, so that 1t may he
fully drilled in every condition OF
target work
Want Outdoor Practice.
In addition to the Stale rifle range
at Virginia Beach, II is the desire or
the military authorities to secure some
suitable outdoor shooting ground at
| each point where companies OF in
! fantry are stationed Several have al
| ready been secured and equipped.
Captain Wallace has been instructed
f. TO Inspect such sites around Richmond
as may be available. and To report hie
/ conclusions to the Adjutant General
Broadly speaking. the State desires to
rent strip Of level meadow land, APP
proNinately 900 yards long and 500
Yards wide. ending with a hill or some
/ obstruction that will serve as a back :
/ stop and prevent bullets from going
. on and doing damage In fields beyond
/ the target. The State merely desires
/ TO rent the right of shooting over the
ground There is no reason why the
/ space between tho front line and the
! backstop should not be In cultivation
or used for grazing purposes. as it Is
not probable that il would be used
more than one or two afternoons a
week, when arrangements could be
made TO drive cattle from the line OF
fire.