RIFLING. 137 



an efficient marksman ; therefore, none should be 

 discouraged or despair, as perseverance must lead 

 to ultimate success. 



Commencing with the theory of rifle practice, 

 which must be fully understood before the rifle- 

 man can hope to be an expert shot at all ranges, 

 I shall afterwards enter upon the practical part 

 of his initiation. 



The first point for consideration is 



The Eifling. 



the barrel of the rifle, which (in the 



Enfield pattern), it may be observed, has three 

 spiral grooves cut in the interior, or bore, at an 

 equal distance from each other, of even depth, 

 and making half a turn in the length of the 

 barrel, which is 3 feet 3 inches. These grooves, 

 otherwise termed the rifling, give the bullet (an 

 elongated cylindro-conical projectile) a spiral 

 motion, sometimes called the spin or twist, as 

 it flies through the air point foremost, rotatory 

 on its own axis. This very much increases the 

 accuracy of the flight of the bullet, as it serves 



