Bren Gun Ranges
- ClintHardware
- Member
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 21 Jan 2011, 13:17
Bren Gun Ranges
Hi All
This should be simple to answer but I keep failing to find the information in any source.
Can anyone please state what the maximum range was on the Dial of the rear sight of the Mk.1. I remember it being 2,000 yards.
Also what was the maximum range when using the tripod.
Thanks in anticipation.
This should be simple to answer but I keep failing to find the information in any source.
Can anyone please state what the maximum range was on the Dial of the rear sight of the Mk.1. I remember it being 2,000 yards.
Also what was the maximum range when using the tripod.
Thanks in anticipation.
Imperialism and Re-Armament NOW !
-
- Member
- Posts: 10162
- Joined: 12 Jun 2008, 12:19
Re: Bren Gun Ranges
Double post.
Last edited by Sid Guttridge on 04 May 2021, 21:31, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Member
- Posts: 10162
- Joined: 12 Jun 2008, 12:19
Re: Bren Gun Ranges
Hi Clinthardware,
I can't answer your question.
However, as probably one of the last users of the .303 Bren in Rhodesia in 1979, I can testify to its accuracy at range.
Our problem was that the Terrs tended to initiate fire at very extreme ranges if it was daylight, so they could make good their escape. This meant that they had little chance of hitting us, but we also had little chance of closing with them so that our old SLRs and new G3s became reasonably accurate. With the old .303 Brens we were able to return immediate and accurate fire, presuming, of course, that we could identify their firing positions in the first place. I put my best marksmen on them and got them to snipe using single aimed shots. I don't recall us every demonstrably hitting anyone, but I bet they were a damn sight more scared than they would otherwise have been!
Here's a photo of .303 Bren's in Rhodesia in 1979: https://63622ff7-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.goo ... edirects=0
Cheers,
Sid.
I can't answer your question.
However, as probably one of the last users of the .303 Bren in Rhodesia in 1979, I can testify to its accuracy at range.
Our problem was that the Terrs tended to initiate fire at very extreme ranges if it was daylight, so they could make good their escape. This meant that they had little chance of hitting us, but we also had little chance of closing with them so that our old SLRs and new G3s became reasonably accurate. With the old .303 Brens we were able to return immediate and accurate fire, presuming, of course, that we could identify their firing positions in the first place. I put my best marksmen on them and got them to snipe using single aimed shots. I don't recall us every demonstrably hitting anyone, but I bet they were a damn sight more scared than they would otherwise have been!
Here's a photo of .303 Bren's in Rhodesia in 1979: https://63622ff7-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.goo ... edirects=0
Cheers,
Sid.
- ClintHardware
- Member
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 21 Jan 2011, 13:17
Re: Bren Gun Ranges
Thanks Sid
I met a soldier from the Rhodesian Light Infantry (IIRC) as at party years ago he was very informative about taking on the terrs with the Bren and firing at the ground just below the target area to definitely produce an effect rather than try to hit the target directly. Worked everytime apparently.
I remember the sight being 2 - 20 for 100's of yards but I am not sure. Would love to know for sure.
I met a soldier from the Rhodesian Light Infantry (IIRC) as at party years ago he was very informative about taking on the terrs with the Bren and firing at the ground just below the target area to definitely produce an effect rather than try to hit the target directly. Worked everytime apparently.
I remember the sight being 2 - 20 for 100's of yards but I am not sure. Would love to know for sure.
Imperialism and Re-Armament NOW !
-
- Member
- Posts: 10162
- Joined: 12 Jun 2008, 12:19
Re: Bren Gun Ranges
Hi ClintHardware,
The RLI had MAGs. It was only second rate units like mine that got hand-me-down South African .303 Brens. (This was a pain, because we then had to carry 7.62 as well as .303.)
Yeah. The shooting technique he described was called the Drake Shoot, if I remember correctly.
If the Terrs were in soft cover but not visible for aimed shots, then the object was to fire in front of the cover to throw up lots of secondary missiles that would pepper the cover. A flying stone can kill, or more likely injure. Even dust in the eye can cause someone to move, revealing their position. You then had a target for an aimed burst.
Cheers,
Sid.
The RLI had MAGs. It was only second rate units like mine that got hand-me-down South African .303 Brens. (This was a pain, because we then had to carry 7.62 as well as .303.)
Yeah. The shooting technique he described was called the Drake Shoot, if I remember correctly.
If the Terrs were in soft cover but not visible for aimed shots, then the object was to fire in front of the cover to throw up lots of secondary missiles that would pepper the cover. A flying stone can kill, or more likely injure. Even dust in the eye can cause someone to move, revealing their position. You then had a target for an aimed burst.
Cheers,
Sid.
Last edited by Sid Guttridge on 05 May 2021, 20:32, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Member
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: 28 Mar 2012, 19:56
Re: Bren Gun Ranges
From 'Small Arms Training, Volume I, Pamphlet 4' titled 'Light Machine Gun 1939'.
Page 5,
Type of sights-
Back sight - aperture
Foresight - blade
Graduations - 200 yards to 2000 yards in 50-yard clicks
Page 11,
Sight setting - Describe backsight drum and backsight. Turn backsight drum until range required appears in the window. The drum gives a maximum elevation of 2000 yards and a minimum of 200 yards. Each click gives an alteration of 50 yards. When not in use, sights will be lowered.
Regarding use on the tripod, 'Lesson 19 - Laying on a fixed line' quotes 1800 yards when using an aiming peg.
In the 1942 edition of the same pamphlet it's noted that for the Mark II Bren the sight is graduated from 200 yards to 1800 yards.
Gary
Page 5,
Type of sights-
Back sight - aperture
Foresight - blade
Graduations - 200 yards to 2000 yards in 50-yard clicks
Page 11,
Sight setting - Describe backsight drum and backsight. Turn backsight drum until range required appears in the window. The drum gives a maximum elevation of 2000 yards and a minimum of 200 yards. Each click gives an alteration of 50 yards. When not in use, sights will be lowered.
Regarding use on the tripod, 'Lesson 19 - Laying on a fixed line' quotes 1800 yards when using an aiming peg.
In the 1942 edition of the same pamphlet it's noted that for the Mark II Bren the sight is graduated from 200 yards to 1800 yards.
Gary
-
- Member
- Posts: 10162
- Joined: 12 Jun 2008, 12:19
Re: Bren Gun Ranges
Hi Gary,
Nice work.
Sid
Nice work.
Sid
- ClintHardware
- Member
- Posts: 819
- Joined: 21 Jan 2011, 13:17