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Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 6:53 pm
by kennyc
EagerNoSkill wrote:The current service rifle equivalent for cadets is the L98A2 in 5.56mm
It is shot with iron sights only. Typically distances of 25 to 300 meters
They get changes to shoot in various positions: Prone, Kneeling, Seated, Firing pits (Upright unsupported is very limited for safety reasons)
There is a 22lr conversion kit
Difference to L85
The main difference between the GP and the SA80 IW (Individual Weapon) is that the GP is a straight pull manually-operated rifle that is semi automatic only. the change lever ha also been removed however small holes at the rear end of the rifle can still be seen where the change lever should have been positioned had it been used in the armed forces rather than the cadet forces
The cadets do not have access to full auto weapons.
They may however on special controlled occasions be shown or demonstrated full auto weapons
http://atc.wikia.com/wiki/L98A2_Cadet_GP_Rifle
when I was a cadet we used No8's, martini action single shots, and an full on target rifle for interservice contests, when I did my Marksmans course at Whale Island (Tipnor range) we used No4's, SLR's, LMG (Bren) and Sterling smgs, fun days when ammo was free
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 11:06 pm
by Yalan
To go back to the original post.....
The rifles are poor but generally servicable.
The main problem is those appalling sights. Who in their right mind fits 'target sights' which require a screwdriver to undo 'locking screws' to adjust mid-shoot? Don't tighten them? No - they just wobble all over. Oh and 1 in 10 don't even have enough travel to get a bullet on target at the intended distance.
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 10:06 am
by Mattnall
Sights are extremely poor on many of them and do not have enough travel to get on target at 25yds.
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 9:40 pm
by RJ156
Yalan wrote:To go back to the original post.....
The rifles are poor but generally servicable.
The main problem is those appalling sights. Who in their right mind fits 'target sights' which require a screwdriver to undo 'locking screws' to adjust mid-shoot? Don't tighten them? No - they just wobble all over. Oh and 1 in 10 don't even have enough travel to get a bullet on target at the intended distance.
They get worse
The stock is supposedly held together with water soluble glue...... so can’t be use in inclement weather
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:00 am
by Alan D
The No8 is a fantastic rifle, it's the first rifle that I and many of my generation used as a Cadet.
I am fortunate in having one of the ex NZ examples in my collection, but the Mod will scrap all surviving No8's due to international arms control treaties.
The L42 rifles were likely the last service rifles that will be available for the UK civilian shooter, and these were never supposed to be released to the UK market.
We have seen the wholesale destruction of the L96 inventory, the No8's are following them to the guillotine too I am afraid gents.
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 6:34 am
by RJ156
Is there any way to purchase from MOD should you know where some are just sat?
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 11:36 am
by Pippin89
When I was a Cadet we used No.8's for a normal shooting evening and at the time I didn't know any better I thought it was great. No sling of course as it would take too long to set everyone up. So we just took the weight of them like men!
On more planned events we used L98's (single shot straight pulls only, no semi's) in 5.56. and occasionally we used a semi auto variant which I believe was L85?? And on one occasion I got to fire a GPMG which was enormous fun! Ironic really how 13 year olds with little to no experience have access to more firearms than competition shooters with 30 years experience.
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 10:10 pm
by Jamesj
The No.8 was the first bolt action rifle I shot as a cadet and used to shoot it left handed! Always posed an extra challenge when snap shooting or 60 second rapids.
I always wanted one for a bit of nostalgia and was lucky enough to find this one in mint condition. Still have the original flip up sights but upgraded to the Parker Hale target sights as it was what I used to shoot with back in the day.
![Image](https://uploads."An application"-cdn.com/20190904/9ba0a2c00ecd8f059ff64e30f40e8ff7.jpg)
Sent from my boing using "An application"
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:36 pm
by David TS
RJ156 wrote:Is there any way to purchase from MOD should you know where some are just sat?
Hell will freeze over first.........
Re: New Cadet rifle .. that replaced the No 8
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:48 pm
by David TS
Mind you, I did manage to get one of the ones that sneaked out years ago.........