Mil. LANCASTER. 151 



them too low in the first instance, as the parties at the 

 range signalled where they entered the mound after rico- 

 cheting, instead of their first range. Mr. Lancaster, jun., 

 found this out, and had the target removed to a more 

 eligible position, when, out of eighteen rounds fired, ten 

 entered the target. As a proof of the excellent aim at the 

 long range used, it may be mentioned that he hit the 

 target three times in succession, and on no occasion out of 

 the fifty- seven rounds were any of the balls above twelve 

 or fifteen feet east or west of the target, but by far the 

 greater majority within from one foot to one yard of the 

 object against which they were directed. The experiments 

 with a rifle-ball of the form alluded to have been so satis- 

 factory, that Mr. Lancaster contemplates making experi- 

 ments with others, made to be fired from six-pounder 

 guns ; and if the same power and range is attained with 

 them, the principle will be found an immense saving and 

 of great advantage to the service." From the Times of 

 26th June, 1846. 



This is a very faithful account of very wonderful shoot- 

 ing at 1,200 yards, a distance which, I confess, I had no 

 conception of. Let us now see what Mr. Lancaster per- 

 formed at 300 yards ; in a letter from him now before me, 

 he says, " I shot a match last year (1845) for Mr. Graham, 

 at 300 yards, firing from the shoulder without a rest, he 

 backing me to hit a bull's eye eight inches diameter six 

 times out of nine. I hit it six times following, and aver- 

 aged three bull's eyes in five shots, during the last forty- 

 five rounds. In fact, I have done more at 300 yards with 



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