An Old War Horse

[vintage hunter]

Most rifles were only fired with a proof round

Yes but this was for proving the action only. Next the rifle would've surely been fired with at least one magazine of service rounds to ensure it functioned properly and met accuracy standards.

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[Aragorn243]

Yes but this was for proving the action only. Next the rifle would've surely been fired with at least one magazine of service rounds to ensure it functioned properly and met accuracy standards.

Pretty much how the Soviets selected their sniper rifles in WWII. Those with better accuracy went back for further finishing and scope mounts.

[Frederick303]

Most countries tested there rifle for accuracy after the targeting shots or concurrent with same once they got good at setting the sights based on bore-sighting.

It is known the Germans, Canadians, Swiss, Brits did it and the US (but not rebuilds in all cases). Number or rounds per rifle was typically 5 to 7, hardly a huge drain on a nations supply of cartridges.

Not sure about the Italians but one would expect them to do that as well. While we view them as jokes now, the Italians were not seen that way prior to WWII, Liddell Hart upon seeing them on maneuvers in the 1920s called them an army of panthers (or something to that effect).