Skipping straight to the point I've got the vaguest idea of a story I want to write about the zombie apocalypse happening in 1918/19 so I was wondering how realistic it would be for a solider to be able to do a head shot with period weapons?
I know typical zombie apocalypses tend to be less than realistic with almost everyone being excellent marksmen but I was wondering if there'd be a significant difference between modern weapons and period ones?
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
Basically as accurate as a rifle today. As an example, the US fielded the M1903 Springfield, which fired the .30-06 cartridge, which is very much still in use today in hunting rifles.
The difference between the weapons of the day and modern hunting rifles would include sights (all but designated snipers would be using iron sights), reliability (better machining and materials) and action (all rifles of the day were bolt action rifles, but many modern hunting rifles are as well) and weight.
Basically, using the same sights it would be up to the shooter and not the rifle.
I collect WW1/WW2 rifles, and some of my WW1 rifles are extremely accurate. A head shot is definitely possible depending on the distance/shooter.
I would love to read your story once it's finished as I enjoy WW1 history as well as zombies. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Modern assault weapons were developed after it was realized that almost all combat took place at ranges less than a couple hundred yards. At long range, WW I rifles, using full .30-06 bullets, would be MORE accurate than many of today's weapons.