The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-12-03

Inc POSITIONS
The positions OF the body when
shooting are important factors or
successful craftsmanship The big
idea IL 10 give the rifle absolutely
drm support AS man becomes
expert. he acquires an individual
posture but Tor general purposes
the instructors make certain recon
meudauuus The standing position
calls FOR the soldier 10 face the tar
gct and then 70 execute right half
face The feet are planted about l2
inches apart As he rife is raised
10 the shoulder. the body lis leaned
backward a tri1e Tho soldier must
bc perfectly balanced or he will De
under strain and viii trcmble The
right elbow r. held at about the
height OF the shoulder The left
hand rrasps tho gun well around
the stock and tbe hand guard The
left elbow should be almos, direct
~ under the rife The right hand
is supposed 20 do more than half
the work OF holding the rifle The
left hand merely stoadics and guides
The piece Soldiers are advised not
20 attempt 20 check the rocoil but
20 let the body move back with IT,
II the Jaw presses the stock closely,
danger of damage 10 the face by
recou is avoided
The kneeling position calls for The
soldier 20 Sin ON the right heel The
right knee should point az right
angles % the target The point OF
the left elbow should rest over the
left knee Military mon have dis
covered that there le q place under
tho elbow which exactly ITS place
on the knee and thus makes a solid
rest Advantage is taken OF the
physiological coincidence The body
IS leaned VOL forward For tho SIT
ting position. The soldier is advised
10 sit down half faced 10 tho rient.
feet six 10 eight inches apart. knees
bert, right knee slightly higher than
the left. and left leg pointing TO-
ward the target Both elbows arc
rested on the knees. The heels are
dug into the turf II possible These
positions are uncomfortable 20 many
men at first but little practice
makes them very comfortable.
For prone nring. the sling is Jet
out as Tar as 81 viii 20. The sol
dier lies down spread eagle fashion.
az an angle OF about 60 degrees 10
the right of the target The loft
arm is thrust between the sling and
the rife and fhcn back thru the
loop of the sling. tho loop being
secured as far mp che arm as n win
go The band is passed under aud
thcn over The sling from the left.
and then grasps the stock and hand
guard The rirht elbow is lifted off
the ground. the soldier rolling
slightly over on tho loft side The
butt Of the rife ls placed TO the
shoulder. and then tho soldier rolls
back, clamping tho ride hard into
position The rife should rest deep
down in tbc palm Of the left hand
with tho Anglers almost around the
handeuard The lcft elbow should
reat on tho ground directly under
rhp rife and tho right elbow ON
The ground about i've inches to tho
right OF q point under fho -tock.
Tho loon OF The sling should be SO
tight chat ~ oycrts pressure OF
about 800 pounds under those cir
cUm.'ancre This i- another 200
comfortable position until Dr. s prac.
ucod bui &C. soon becomes comforio
hle and gives tho rifle "a dead rest
IN Frs good idea t0 dig small holes
in he .round for thc elbows This
IS The stcadiest of all dr,ng positions
and so binds the rife 20 the shout
der That mo-, rrcnil D. felt