The Lyman off-hand rifle rest, shown in the drawing, designed for sighting and testing rifles, is most useful for beginners in rifle shooting. It consists of a platform about five feet long by three feet wide placed lengthwise with the target. This platform is boarded up on three sides, viz.: On the right hand (facing the target) and at both ends to the height of about five feet. From the top of these sides a covering of boards is so placed that when the shooter ,stands on the platform the right arm and the left hand rest on this covering, al lowing the shooter to take the same position as when shooting off-hand. There are so many riflemen who learn to shoot in bad positions that this rest will not be comfortable to some. Those who will appreciate it most are the riflemen who shoot with the left hand well out on the barrel, the right elbow elevated and the butt of the rifle against the shrmIder (not on the arm), or, in other words, those who hold a rifle about the same way they hold a shot-gun. With this rest it is easy to take the right position and keep it when firing. One can learn to tell where the bullet strikes before the marker shows it. It is espe cially good for the beginner in rifle shooting, for he is not liable to fall into that most common and worst of all faults, flinching. This habit of flinching comes principally from the fear of the report and recoil. When the rifle is held properly, the recoil is felt very little, even with heavy charges; and if one is to be a successful shot at any kind of shooting, Ile must have the courage not to consider the noise and kick of the gun, for any danger to the shooter is simply imaginary.
The Pope double or machine rest, with attachments is excellent for testing pur poses. Afore information can be derived from its Ilse in a few hours, than can be had by ordinary rest shooting by an ordinary shooter in as many weeks, as it has no human errors of holding and pulling-. The results arc those due to ritle, ammunition and weather. It is made in several styles.
In use. two stout posts are set deeply in the ground, the firmer the better; these are braced together, aml a smooth, level plank fastened on the top; both posts are firmly braced in two directions, the stop is fastened on the top plank in proper position and the rear rest to the rear post so as to give approximately the cor rect elevation. Front rest and scopc inounting-s arc clamped to the barrel, the same loaded and slid gently to the stop ; adjust the rest or telescope or perhaps both, so the gun points where you wish, cross hairs being- between each pair of pas ters ; let the rifle rest naturally', hold the rig,rlit hand about 6 inches behind the butt, touch the set trigger with the left hand and catch the rifle on recoil. If the gun has a heavy pull, pinch the trigger and guard with the thumb and forefinger so as not to disturb the rifle in the rest. In setting up, it is often convenient to set the rest, so the rifle will point on the target before the telescope is mounted, using- the ordinary sights, then mount the scope and adjust it to the pasters, and shoot the group, then move the rest a fair amount, that depending on how close the gun will shoot, then bring the scope again to the pasters and shoot again. A telescope sight is not a necessity in double rest shooting, thoug,h it is a great convenience. With it you can shoot front a bench that is not firm, as the sight gives you a chance to correct the aim each time ; for all that an absolutely firni bench is best, and if you shoot from double rest without a scope, it is an abso lute necessity.
Many German-Americans use and highly recommend a palm rest, attached to the rifle to aid in holding. Such an appliance may be proper for target shoot ing, but cannot become popular in the field. The "Universal" palm rest, shown in the drawing, fits all guns and is adjustable to any position. It is quickly at tached (or detached) to the trigger g,uard or lever without using any tool. Its position on the lever or guard enables the marksman to hold perfectly firm and rigid and at the same time to obtain a body rest, free and natural breathing, relaxation of the tnuscles and increased accuracy which naturally follows.
The Pope palm rest is made so as to be unscrewed for carrying without changing the adjustment. It swing,s away from the lever for loading, and from recoil I (can be put on the reverse way, if desired). The shank is adjustable for length by the telescoping tube and taper nut, and for position to or from the body, by I changing the position of the check nuts on the shank, so as to allow the shank 4o come against the stop at different angles, thus affecting the distance.. Many 'off-hand shooters prefer a hip rest and thus be less obliged to sacrifice position or use a light rifle. The author has used, with some satisfaction, a hip rest con structed in sections and attachable to a palm rest base. One section is so con structed as to admit of several inches adjustment.
A great variety of heel-plates and recoil pads are used by sportsmen at the present time. The l'iffard heel-plate, consisting of a soft rubber pad or cushion about half an inch in thickness, is popular. It is applied to the butt of the gun (after removal of the iron heel-plate), and is retained in position by a skeleton plate. The latter is attached to the stock by using one of the original screws, and in addition a small screw inserted near the toe of the heel-plate. The stock of the gun is not altered in any manner, and the original butt-plate can be re applied at will. Experience has shown that, when using this contrivance, the effect of recoil has been greatly modified, and a charge of as much as Ito grains of powder, with 420 of lead, can be shot without discomfort. The benefits ac cruing, from the lessened recoil are: lteginncrs will not become "gun-shy." and contract the habit of flinching; increased accuracy from absence of flinching; target practice can he more continuously and efficiently carried on than is prac ticable without the elastic-plate, owing to the bruising and other injuries attend ant on the use of the service cartridge; and, the powder charge for ammunition could be materially increased, thereby flattening the trajectory, and in other respects rendering the weapon more effective. It is evident that the use of this description of heel-plate insures greater safety and increased accuracy. The drop ping of a loaded gun (cocked or half-cocked), butt downwards, on a stone or hard ground may result in breaking the point of the sear or one of the notches of the tumbler, causing a premature discharge. This heel-plate would diminish the force of the concussion and lessen the liability to accident. In repeating rifles, in which the cartridges arc arranged in the magazine with the bullet of one on the primer of the one in front of it, the dropping of the gun might cause an explosion in the magazine. The liability to this accident would be diminished by the use of the plate. Practical marksmen have found that when using this heel-plate the butt of the rifle is retained in proper position against the arm with less exertion, the rubber not slipping from the arm as readily as the iron butt-plate. By a resolution of the directors of the National 1:itle Asso ciation, the use of this heel-plate was permitted in all competitions held under their auspices. The Winters 1 902 model leather-covered pneumatic recoil pad is made to fit any gun-stock, and is an absolute guard against bruised shoulders. The Rowley cheek pad is a simple and effective device to straighten any gun stock to the desired bend v,ithout the expensive method of steaming the same. It is easily put on and taken off again, and besides making a too crooked gun fit, protects the high polish and finish of a fine gun stock against scratches and dents. All these devices and many others, like the Heikes hand protector, are regarded as necessities by many sportsmen, and are in a measure comforts for various kinds of shooting.