Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-10

~ long rifle cartridge, for the serv-
ice ammunition now use," he went
on. The ammunition now made for
the miniature rifles is fully as accu-
rate as the heavier, more expensive
loads up to the limit of it's range,
which at present is about 200 yards.
The use of this ammunition will
bring with it a number of outstand-
ing advantages. In the first place,
the sub-caliber rifle ranges can be
safely installed in thickly populated
centers where regular range would
not be allowed. Also, the butts re-
quired for the sub-calibers are less
difficult to erect and maintain, as no
heavy material is required to stop
the small bullets. Again, the aver
age novice will do much better work
with the lighter loads, which reduce
the tendency to finch to the van
ishing point, materially improving
scores.
"The reason for my belief that
this important change will be made
lies in the fact that the supply of
wartime service ammunition is de-
creasing rapidly, owing to deteriora-
ton to a point where the loads are
no longer reliable, and the fact that
the expensive loads cannot be man
ufactured fast enough with the
funds available under constantly de-
creasing appropriations made for
this purpose"
Colonel Savage, who is in charge
of the program of small-arms firing
for the State, is laying his plans far
in advance so as to be in a favor
able position to utilize the new loads
and arms to the fullest. He said:
1.-The rifle companies have already
been supplied with the splendid new
type Springfield .22's, which are not
surpassed in accuracy or reliability
by any rifle now in use. In short
time small-bore ranges will be made
available for all the National Guard
units of Maine, and Small-bore
| matches will be a feature of this
years State matches at Auburn
| Colonel Savage has made a close
study of conditions and theories re-
garding the Small-bore, and said to-
day: "In a short time intend to get
| out small booklet giving the bal
| listics, windage and elevation for the
new small-bore arms, with a set of
complete specifications for install
| ing ranges for their use"
He thinks that the use of the %
ammunition will also extend to pis-
| toll practice, and that the Govern
ment arsenals will eventually bring
out a new type of pistol closely APP
proximating the present sidearm in
weight. size and construction, which
| will be chambered for the lighter,
less expensive loads, which work
| equally well in the pistol and
cuts the expense from about five
| cI nt n a pnnt
| He believes that, far from working
disadvantageously this change in
! ammunition will work the greatest
| benefit to the men undergoing in
struction. "They will be enabled to
do a great deal more shooting
they will be able to shoot oftener,
| for the small-bore ranges can be in
stalled closer to the company armi-
ries, and the instruction received
will be just as beneficial, for it re-
| quires the same kind of close hold
ing and attention to trigger squeeze
! to make good scores with the ~ as
it does with the service rifle" he
| added.
In England, the small-bore has
been used for this purposo for sew
eral years past with complete sue
cess, and ranges are to be found in
practically all large cities. where
rifle clubs made up of civilians and
soldiers compete weekly.
Colonel Savage is an expert shot
himself, both with rifle and pistol
and there is no man in Maine better
qualified to express an opinion on
| matters of this sort than he. A spe-
cial type of target invented by the
Colonel is being widely copied and
utilized by the Government at pres
| ent.