Mad minute

avatar
(Edited)

Much like people, judging rifles on looks alone can bring the wrong conclusion - Especially for those who don't know firearms. Visually these two weapon-systems look completely different, but they're remarkably similar in fact. Both are bolt-action rifles and both have a removeable ten-round magazine. Differences can be found, when one digs a little deeper, but essentially both are the same.

The wooden-stocked rifle is a .303 Short Magazine Lee–Enfield Mk III, which is typically shortened simply to SMLE, or affectionally and rather ignominiously, smelly.

The first iteration of this rifle was introduced to the British Army in 1895 as their standard rifle. It saw service in the South African Boer War fought between Britain and the two Boer Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State; My country supported the British Army of course, and our troops would have been issued the 1895 version of this rifle.

Over the years various improvements were made until, in 1907, the MkIII SMLE was introduced. The British and Commonwealth Countries like New Zealand, Canada, my own country of Australia and colonial armies in India and parts of Africa used it extensively.

The SMLE MkIII was used all the way through the First and Second World Wars to 1957; Interestingly it is still in service today with the Bangladesh Police and a few others. I'm serious.

Mine served in World War One has the scars to prove it. It was taken out of military service after the war though, stamped and decommissioned, made civilian, and I bought it with the matching bayonet and scabbard years ago. I'll do a proper post on it someday, with the bayonet and all...It's an evil looking thing when put together and was used to devastating effect; Getting a bayonet in the chest or stomach would have buggered up your day, for sure.

The other is a long range rifle by American company Sturm, Ruger & Co. or just Ruger and is one I compete with sometimes. The calibre is 6.5mm Creedmoor and it's scoped with the Kahles 624i(6-24x56) with the SKMR3 reticle in FFP...It's devastatingly accurate in the right hands and can land rounds on surprisingly small targets well downrange all day long. I love it - I guess because I am so good at shooting it; Comfort through confidence maybe? It's my current go-to rifle-system for long-range shooting.


Sending it

Today I'll be shooting both of these rifles with the mission-objective being fun. Although, shooting a rifle that was made over a hundred years ago...Hmm...Better bring a mate.

I don't shoot the SMLE very much, despite how much fun it is to shoot, however today a mate would like to shoot it and that's good because I'm going to make him shoot the first rounds and I'll stand well back in case it blows up in his face. I like my face right where it is and am ugly enough without it being rearranged by exploding steel and wood.

Ok, so I'm kidding! It's not going to blow up and tear his face off at all...I think. It'll perform y'all, and work fine; I care for my firearms so this I know. It's going to be a good day I think, we're planning to do...

The mad minute

The mad minute is a speed-shooting drill used around World War One to train riflemen.

One needed to shoot fifteen rounds at a 300 yard target (274 metres) which was 48 inches square (about 1.2 x 1.2 meters). One started with four rounds in the magazine prior to the target appearing and had to reload by way of five round magazines from pouch or bandolier. Obviously the name indicates the rifleman had a single minute to perform the exercise an there was a minimum hit-percentage to qualify.

Riflemen soon worked out the way to do it was to palm the bolt which is using the palm of the hand to open, work and close the bolt leaving the trigger finger free to meet the trigger and thumb to re-grip the rifle each time and without removing the rifle from the cheek or changing line-of-sight. Typically working the bolt is done with the thumb and forefinger. The palming method made it far quicker to operate.


So, this is what we're setting up, just for fun, and we'll do some long-range shooting with our long-guns also; We'll probably spend time trying to kick each others ass at greater distances each time. We'll be shooting at a private property and have a range set up there out to two miles so there's room to operate. We will have a bite to eat out there too...Probably seared flesh on a grill, and some cold beverages...No alcohol though.


So that's my Saturday through to around mid-afternoon. I'll come home and spend time in the workshop cleaning guns and other manly stuff...Typical Saturday.

I hope y'all have a great weekend and have something cool planned also. Feel free to drop me a comment and let me know what you're doing, or to ask any questions which I'll be happy to answer.


Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind

Discord: galenkp#9209



0
0
0.000
22 comments
avatar

I'd love to watch you shoot fifteen rounds at a 300-yard target and reload in a minute!
I haven't been to the range.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I do a lot of rapid-fire shooting but doing it with this SMLE will be different...They are quite unique to shoot and the bolt action has a rather peculiar feel. Much different from modern weapon-systems. It'll be fun.

We'll not be at a range but private property which makes it even better...More natural. Ranges can be restrictive. But yeah, for most it's a range. I hope you make it there because, if my memory serves me well, you have some handguns.

Thanks for commenting SS.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hmmmm. I learned to palm a bolt action...and never really thought about it.

That is a fine looking SMLE and I like the rifle, too. My little at hand .380 is an LCP Ruger, a fine piece of gear.

I have a really good buddy that shot a lot of deer with his Grandpa's .30-.40 Krag that was a survivor from the Spanish American War. It did finally give up and cost my buddy a little piece of his ear. Could have been a LOT worse. Krag shipped some of those rifles to the Boers.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I sometimes palm the bolt when shooting long-range competitions where speed is required. Getting rounds on at 700m in quick succession sometimes requires it. You know, at 1000m I can have two bullets in the air at the same time, both of which hit the target. When you think about the flight time of the first, at that range, then working the bolt, aiming and the trigger pull for the second. It's fast. Just saying, it's a skill I practice.

That Krag, ended up buying back huh? Not something I'd want to see happen.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I never saw the aftermath, but I think it was a piece that came back and got Toby. The gun was an Army surplus model that his Grandfather bought before WWI. It may have gotten just battered by modern powder rounds instead of the original black powder. I'd think it'd be the other way round, though.

I had auto loaders most of my adult life, I quit shooting a bolt when I lost my eye and had to start shooting left handed. I have shot a few rounds through a friend's left handed .17 caliber Savage. It worked but was anything but smooth.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Auto-loaders aren't a thing here as you know, so I got good on the bolt-gun...I'd say very good at risk of sounding a little boastful. I mean, I know what's up, you know?

I just got done with my mate...Faces are intact, so all good.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Even faces like mine are better left unmarked for the most part 😂

I've owned a 760 Remmington pump action 30.06 that I really wish I still had. I've also done most of my bird hunting with pump action shotguns. The action isn't 'handed' so long as the safety is in the trigger housing so you can blaze away pretty fast. I shot ducks with a guy that would put two shells between his fingers when they were landing. When he'd jump up he would reload on two strokes to give him a legal five rounds. He was really practiced at it and it was something to watch...

0
0
0.000
avatar

Have you seen shotgun speed-loading on video?...It's pretty incredible how quickly one can load. Practice makes perfect better than no practice.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I'm envious, looks like so much fun! We've got a large dump of snow coming 2 feet this weekend. (Up in the mountains, they are predicting 4-6feet!). The only shooting I'll be doing is the snow blower shooting it off the driveway! Maybe the camera from the window, I'm sure the birds will be hitting the feeder since all else will be covered.
300 yards a good challenge with iron sights! It will be fun!

0
0
0.000
avatar

I just got done...Was raining so we didn't do any long-range. We got the mad minute done though, we both had two attempts at it and each only missed one shot over the 30 we sent in the minute. I'll be honest, my first run was over a minute, but I got the mad-minute locked down on the second; Probably more ass than class though. It's hectic but a lot of fun. Now the gun-cleaning begins.

Hey, that snow blower...You'll maintain trigger-discipline, this I know. Lol. Funny how that follows a shooter huh?

0
0
0.000
avatar

Is that some kind of foam pad on the side of the Ruger?

0
0
0.000
avatar

The little square patch? This is a square of Velcro to which I attach a two-round ammunition holder, which is Velcro-backed also. They are easily accessible for those times when an extra shot may be required in a hurry. I change-out magazines super fast and have several but it's nice to carry an extra couple, just in case.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Oh man, that .303 absolute beaut.

Same gun, maybe on paper and statistics but the kick back, the sound even the tin of the firing pin totally different.

The smell of the gun powder discharged from the .303 is different to the new versions. Even the whistle as the bullet leaves the barrel and whirls through the air.

It's like driving an old muscle car on today's roads.

The experience is one you can't live without if you're into your fire arms. The .303 is one of my favourite. A beast.

0
0
0.000
avatar

They make a good pig gun too.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Never has there ever been a more controversial weapon in history. The .303 will be worth millions, it should be. But people don't know it's history.

So lethal it's what allowed the British Empire to rule, gave Aussies and New Zealanders the edge in Gallipoli.

The Germans tried to have it outlawed.

It is Thor's hammer of guns

0
0
0.000
avatar

I like shooting mine, but don't do it often. I'm pretty good at operating it and I get a nice feeling doing so. It's a pitty the Turks kicked our ass at Gallipoli, but we did what we could with what we had, and the bumbling British command...Australia's most deadly sniper, Billy Sing, put the SMLE to good use in the campaign though. In certain circles he is celebrated to this day.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Ottoman Empire casualties- 250,000
Australian Casualties- 26,000

Not bad for an Aussie away game under the circumstances.

Only 8,000 Aussies died mainly due to the inability to access an infirmary.

Getting shot with a .303 bullet ment death as it either flattened and shattered bones lesding to internal bleeding or separated and when it entered your body went different ways. Not many survived a shot from a .303

The ammunition of opposing forces in those days left you with a painful splinter that didn't do as much damage which is why the world was trying to out law the .303.

Makes no sense, a gun is designed to kill that is its purpose.

Sorry, I am an Australian loyalist 🤣 What we didn't lose, just looks like it 🤣🤣🤣

You most likely know more than me about guns and ammunition.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Yes, I know much about guns, military-matters and history. Enough to know that Gallipoli was massive and costly defeat for a country which could ill-afford the loss of men in their prime. And yet the AIF was a fullly-volunteer force, the only in the First War. An Australian legend was behind every single trigger-pull, the SMLE was just the tool.

Lest we forget. 😔

0
0
0.000
avatar

From what I know people from Bangladesh are quite poor, so it's no wonder that they still use this old gun.
Ahahha standing back just in case it blows up, I laughed hard😂😂 G Dog gotta take care of that good face
!ENGAGE 20

0
0
0.000
avatar

Old gun, not one I'd want to get shot with though. I have one and, they can be devastating.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thank you for your engagement on this post, you have recieved ENGAGE tokens.

0
0
0.000