[wanderinwalker]

Or is that Rifleperson to be PC? Oh well...

I am just curious as to what others think of the distinction between the above. What are the differences in your definition? Numerous, or the exact same thing?

I'll start by saying that I believe a rifle shooter is somebody who fires a few boxes of ammo a year, sights in from the bench, and practices a little. In contrast, I believe that a rifleman (person, whatever...) is a shooter who practices religiously and is intimately familiar with his/her firearm.

Any other thoughts?

[Joe Demko]

I consider a rifleman to be one who carries a rifle as his job in the militree. There are other words, like "marksman" or "expert" that can be used to describe his skill level with that rifle.

[Black Snowman]

I'd say it has to be attitude, much like you say. I don't think yearly ammo count has a lot to do with it. I'd consider most retired snipers to still be a rifleman even if they shot only rarely.

In my mind it's a certain level of respect, dedication, and purpose. A rifleman is someone us uses their rifle for a purpose. Military, hunting or competition. It's not all just for bragging rights, a rifleman has or had a job to do.

I don't consider myself a rifleman, yet.

[BigG]

Somebody been reading Fred's articles in SGN? ;)

[Shawn Dodson]

Fighter Pilot or pilot of a fighter plane?

Same distinction, in my opinion, as Rifleman or rifle shooter.

[Steve Smith]

I have a different opinion. A rifleman, to me, is a person who can pick up just about any centerfire rifle, and after a short familiarization period, can control a 1000 yard diameter area around himself from field positions.

My use of the term is usually in the context of someone defending the Constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.

[C.R.Sam]

I like Steve's take.
Rifleman, one who can effectively use any rifle, anytime, anywhere.
More effectively with some than others, granted.

Sam

[BigG]

Trouble is, guys, mos places around here you could SEE 1000 yds would be straight down from an airplane. :uhoh:

[Steve Smith]

Ok, so can you control all the area you can see? BTW, I said diameter..that means a 500 yard radius. You only have to "see" 500 yds in one direction.

[dow]

From a hunting standpoint, I consider myself to be a rifleman as opposed to a shooter. Since I am primarily a meat hunter, it's in my best interests to be as precise in my shot placement as possible, i.e. neck shots vs. point of shoulder shots. Incidentally, My deer from the last two years were all shot just below the base of the skull. They don't run, there's no stress of the meat from adrenalin, and there's no loss of meat from questionable shot placement. Just like turning off a switch. On the other hand, I don't hunt for trophies, or I might choose a different POI.

[JohnDog]

I thought you needed to have a Winchester 92 carbine with a large loop on the lever to be a "Rifleman".:cool:

BigG - you need to move out here to Colorado - where we have the 'beautiful for spacious skies'. On the usual clear day around here I can see the Spanish Peaks down near the New Mexico border - about 95 miles as the crow flies!

JohnDog

[wanderinwalker]

Lots of interesting ideas. I didn't think it would vary that much. (Most of my friends say I just don't think, but that's another story.)

I based my idea on the fact that although I will carry a rifle in the woods with a license with the intent of killing a deer, I don't consider myself a true deer hunter. Following that logic, I came to the conclusion that having a rifle does not make one a rifleman. (Or you could argue that having a motorcycle does not make a motorcyclist, or owning a bicycle does not a cyclist make, etc.)

And away we go...

[Steve Smith]

Ever seen a maintenance guy driving a cop car? Does that make him a cop? Nope.

[BigG]

JohnDog: Thanks for the invite, bro, but y'all have a little too many fruits and nuts out there in CO for my liking! :uhoh: In GA, we may be slow but we still have a little bit of that pioneer spirit that seems to have been lost in the current Kaliforny influenced generation. Hell, we don't even know what Latte and Quiche are out here! :D Knock on wood... :uhoh:

[Balog]

I'm not one yet, but I'm hoping a stint in the Marine Corp will fix that.

[Badger Arms]

As politically correct as many want it to be, the suffix "-man" or "-men" is not gender specific. The word "Woman" also has the suffix and few outside of NOW will complain much.

Funny, the Air Force is the most politically correct of the services and we require that every uniformed member be referred to as an Airman. If they've got a problem with that, they can join the Marines!

[Jaeger]

There's a definite distinction. Anyone can be a rifle shooter. Pick one up, crank on the trigger and you qualify. They'll start showing up at the range in about a month for their yearly sight in of their deer rifle.

A rifleman embraces the dicipline of rifle shooting. (the mechanics as well as the ethics) I essentially agree with Steve, although I think 1000 yds is pushing it a bit. I think 700 or 800 is more realistic with most rack grade rifles and ammunition.

[Art Eatman]

Going back to the first post, I'd trade "practices religiously" for "is very skilled". (Granted, it may have taken lots of practice to get that way.)

I guess I'd add a lot of bits and pieces of small stuff, mostly about "knowledge". This would include, beyond trajectory and windage and suchlike, how to make the most effective use of a rifle: The hunting aspect, from Bambi to Bad Guys.

Art

[Steve Smith]

Jaeger, perhaps you're right considering some of the junk that's out there, but I think that most any bolt action you take of the shelf (which is certainly the most commonly aquired rifle in the country) can perform to that 1000 yard diameter level fairly well.

[geekWithA.45]

A rifleman is anyone who possesses distinctive practical proficiency with one or more rifles, and can use them to reliably bring about the intended results.

This is as opposed to someone who can safely load and fire a rifle, but can not reliably bring about intended results.

[RustyHammer]

M-Webster:

Main Entry: ri·fle·man
Pronunciation: -m&n
Function: noun
Date: 1775
1 : a soldier armed with a rifle
2 : one skilled in shooting with a rifle