Burning Fragrance

"Left side good to go; right side good... Ok, the line is now hot!"

Once the range officer declares the firing line hot, we remove our rifle from it's case, prone, open the bolt action, feed the chamber with a round, close the action, take aim...and gently squeeze the trigger! Exiting the barrel at a muzzle velocity just under the speed of sound, the bullet strikes the target. The spent cartridge is then expelled out of the chamber. Satisfaction..the fragrance of burnt charge.

This is one of those things I wonder why I had not started earlier! Although I knew such a club existed on campus, it wasn't until Mohit asked me to go along for the callout a couple of weeks earlier that I decided to join it - the Purdue Rifle and Pistol Club. Twice every week members can go to the indoor firing range for two hour sessions; the weapons - .22 caliber long rifles and pistols. We are free to choose either one and can switch between the two as well. For some odd fascination I've started out with the rifle and the way it's going I don't intend to switch anytime soon. Since the technique is very different for the two classes of firearms, I personally feel it's better to stick to one type, at least till a good level of skill and accuracy is achieved in it.

Peering through the sights, trying to hold breath and take aim, everything else is pushed out of mind..academic pressure, the need to push one to the limit, the loneliness amidst the crowd..everything blurs away like the rear sight..and all that remains in focus is the target..the target to be hit with lethal accuracy.