It wasn't long before I realised this person had gained their vast knowledge [sarcasm] from a video game...
Hey, that's me! That said, I have undertaken some effort to learn more about the guns that I've used to spray down thousands of people on Call of Duty. Though at least now I know more about the specificities on what can be classified as an assault rifle. I suppose an intermediate cartridge is what differentiates guns like AR15, chambered in 5.56 NATO, and the FN FAL, with its 7.62 NATO. The former is an assault rife, while the latter is a battle rifle, right?
I do love an SMLE, it's both an accurate rifle at long range, and a quick-firing one at closer range. I've seen some people fire with their middle fingers, and have their index finger + thumb at the ready on the bolt. I suppose your hand needs to move less to chamber a new round in, so it makes it pretty fast on the trigger. There might be other reasons in the construction of gun itself that I might not know...
This is what I call, satisfying.
Lol...Actually not you, but now you mention it I guess it could have been.
During the mad minute the soldiers used to palm the bolt, that is use their palm to work it leaving their forefinger free to engage the trigger faster.
Ah, that does make sense. Since you have an SMLE, ever tried it? I've just been trying to cup my hand into that shape, and it feels like you're going to get cramped after that mad minute.
I've done the mad minute yes, and that's how I did it. You essentially have your hand open, and the bolt sits just below that fat part of your palm, under the thumb area. The trigger finger is extended. Fire, press the palm/hand into the bolt knob, up, back, forward, down, and the extended trigger finger is back on the trigger. 1.5 seconds or less generally. The bolt on the SMLE is quite stiff to work too, takes some effort.
That's quite impressive. Imagine using this in a firefight, quick-firing with speed and precision against the poor Bosch and his Mauser. 1.5 seconds per shot sounds pretty great for a bolt-action rifle, no?
Not 1.5 seconds per shot...That's how long it can take to work the bolt...Finding the target and getting an aimed shot off takes longer.
Ah right, a bit of a misspeak there.
No worries, just clarifying.
Mad Minute:
So, 4 seconds per aimed shot. That is very fast. We often have to do this sort of thing in long range rifle competitions and it is incredibly difficult, even with a modern rifle. Of course, the range I would be shooting at is much further. It's a good indication of how accomplished a shooter is, on the SMLE.