tapping magazine on helmet

[Rave]

why do soldiers often tap their magazines on their helmet before loading it into a rifle?

[B00]

I had a very bizarre mental visual of them slapping themselves on their heads with a copy of Take A Break then!

[Poglet]

Boo, me too except it was Heat! then i realised what Rave meant! :) Dunno Rave, maybe to see if it sounds different if its full

[lepers]

i think its to make sure there is no dirt or sand in the the magazine that could cause the rifle to jam

[Ghostrider]

Also I think it helps to ensure all the rounds in the magazine are aligned to reduce the change of stoppages.

[Drusilla1S]

The idea is to sit the rounds at the back of the magazine and lower the chance of jamming when firing. However, whether it really makes a difference in a modern magazine is a debatable point and the practice seems more prevalent amongst older marksmen.

[marwel7]

I have been re-watching the Sharpe films,and the practice at the time was to put the pawder in the barrel,spit the ball in and then tap it on the ground before tamping it all the down.

Perhaps the practice you refer to is a hangover from this done for good luck.

[mycats]

I think it is also done as a "good luck" thing,

[danger!!]

lepers and ghostrider are spot thats exactly why its done and its common practice right through the forces specially the british as the rifles are so crap!