198 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



tion and a half to the grooves or rifles ; 

 so that the ball, upon leaving the mouth 

 of the gun, will have turned a time and a 

 half on its own axis. 



This completely keeps up the rotatory- 

 motion as long as the progressive motion 

 exists, or very nearly so ; and it is the 

 combination of these two motions which 

 checks the aberration in the flight of the 

 bullet, and is the cause of the superior 

 accuracy and precision of the rifle. 



Experience teaches that the number of 

 grooves or rifles should be seven, cut 

 exactly parallel to each other all the way 

 down. 



This number will answer for a gun 

 carrying either an ounce ball, or a hun- 

 dred and upwards to the pound. The 

 rifles should be cut shallow; otherwise 

 there will be too much friction, and too 

 much windage, both of which operate 

 against accuracy and range. 



