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rodneys
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #15 - Mar 15th, 2018 at 8:49pm
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here is another
  
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GT
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #16 - Mar 15th, 2018 at 11:46pm
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OK! REALLY have my interest now!  Thanks for posting those pictures- it looks like it'll be a challenge. 
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #17 - Mar 16th, 2018 at 2:32pm
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Private Warwick was reputed to have fired 60 shots in a minute using a Soper rifle...    So it could be operated pretty fast.
  
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rodneys
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #18 - Mar 16th, 2018 at 3:44pm
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I can see where someone that is pretty dexterous could possibly with this action. all you have to do is open and load cartridge pull trigger and open and repeat. I dont think I could by any means.
  
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ResearchPress
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #19 - Mar 18th, 2018 at 3:47am
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MartiniBelgian wrote on Mar 16th, 2018 at 2:32pm:
Private Warwick was reputed to have fired 60 shots in a minute using a Soper rifle...    So it could be operated pretty fast.

The sixty shots in a minute feat was reportedly completed at the Basingstoke Industrial Exhibition, in October 1869, using blank cartridges.

I think this is likely to have been from the back position, which permitted the rapid loading/firing. On the same occasion and firing from 'the shoulder' (standing), Warrick made 25 shots in one minute. Bitterly cold weather apparently "impeded the rapid manipulation of the cartidges, or much greater result could evidently have been attained in the latter position."

Source: Reading Mercury - Saturday, 23 October 1869


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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #20 - Mar 18th, 2018 at 3:59am
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THere is a picture circulating somewhere of him in his (back) shooting position, with a huge ammo pouch having the cartridges conveniently placed for rapid loading.  Of course, this was unaimed...
  
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Re: Soper match rifle
Reply #21 - Mar 18th, 2018 at 4:19am
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The HBSA Journal from 1976 includes one such picture, taken c1872. As you note Warrick has a large ammo pouch right next the open breech, the back position permitting the rapid loading.

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