My local club is thinking of running a SMLE competition (100yds standing, 200yds prone) and is trying to decide which target to use. Tin hat or Fig.11?
Which would be more correct historically?
Thanks.
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I'd go with a Type B 4 x 4 Figure 12 Type B represents 8" (200mm) scoring ring convention. V = 6” 5 = 8” 4 = 16” 3 = 32” 2 = 48” Remainder target value is zero.
Gives them a chance at 200 yds especially if your a tad evil and have at 200 yds for a bit of fun if you wish 10 rounds in 40 seconds with a reload starting with 1 in the spout 4 in the mag the issue starts when the reload happens yep 4 seconds per fired round sounds plenty but factor in getting the stipper in and it chops that time per shot right down its doable but you have to be very disciplined and if you get a rim over the games pretty much up.
Tin hat is the way to go, either a 6 inch if you are going to be historic about it, or a 7.2 inch if you want folks to have an easier time with Kentucky windage.
Mr Clarke is referring to our L1A1 zeroing session when, not being able to hit the small target we'd put up, we were aiming at golf balls and watching for the sand splash. Great fun and much better than real golf - and I hit more balls!
Thanks Cinders, a good target, and 10 shots in 40 seconds would be good to try but I'm not sure we'll try it for our first comp!
Great video Henry r, I note Mr Quilliam (LERA) gets a credit!
We'll be discussing the comp at our club meeting on Sat, I suspect we may go for tin hat - thank you Frederick303, tin hat being more historically accurate (shown in the 1910 School of Musketry pamphlet), Fig 11s were post WW2.
If military, and your first outing, a larger target. Also plates as they don't have scoring lines. Also which era? SMLE were used from before WWI up to Korea IIRC.
If for fun, a large bullseye so they don't become discouraged and don't come back. If possible, plates as they provide immediate reaction.
Include a timed challenge with loading from chargers. If possible a challenge with 5 plates at 100m, starting with empty rifle and charger loading only, man against man.
If this is to be a regular happening, plan for a selection of targets from easy to moderate, so there is a challenge for the novice and expert.
Targets in use earlier before WWII were usually bullseye, I conclude from the internet, eg see the mad minute target - a bullseye with a stylised torso.