SHOOTING

SKILL AT ARMS Skill at Arms is the concept of target shooting taught to cadets using a number of different weapons. Cadets are given Initial Weapons Training (IWT) on the weapons they are to shoot by qualified Weapons Instructors before they undertake a Weapons Handling Test (WHT) to prove they can safely handle the weapon. All staff and cadets must pass a weapons handling test every six months to demonstrate the safe use of the weapon before they fire the weapon on a range. The cadets will be instructed on a number of shooting disciplines including grouping, rapid and snap shooting. Their shots will be assessed and when they meet set standards they will be awarded a badge which reflects the standard they have reached.
AIR RIFLE A number of squadrons without a full range will instruct and use the approved air rifle. The 0.177 rifle can be used on both indoors and outdoor ranges.
SMALL BORE – L144-A1 CSBTR The L144-A1 is the Cadet Small Bore Target Rifle (CSBTR) which replaced the long serving Enfield No.8 rifle. Like it’s predecessor the L144-A1 is a single shot bolt action 0.22 rim fire rifle which is used on indoor and outdoor 25 metre ranges.
FULL BORE – L98-A2 & L81-A2 Once a cadet has demonstrated their ability to safely shoot the L144-A1 rifle and have reached their 14^th birthday they are able to undertake initial weapons training on the L98-A2 rifle. This weapons is a single fire version of the SA80 used by the regular Armed Forces. This weapon having a 5.56mm bore is classed as full bore and as such is more powerful which can only be used on outdoor ranges. The L81-A2 weapon is a full bore single shot bolt action weapon used by experienced cadets who wish to undertake competitions including the inter-services shooting competition held annually at Bisley.