BULLET AND SHOT 



same bores constructed for use with black powder ; 

 and (2) that only the cartridges specially loaded for 

 them by the makers, and with which the weapons 

 were tested, ought to be fired in them. 



Whereas a given charge of black powder can, 

 with very slight variation, be depended upon 

 to give certain specified results, what might, and 

 doubtless would by the majority of sportsmen, be 

 regarded as very trivial differences in loading, 

 will, in the case of nitros, exhibit very seriously 

 diverse effects. For instance, the same charge of 

 cordite, in a rifle of say '45o-bore, will give very 

 different velocities and elevations, and gravely wide 

 diversities in strain on action, breech-end and 

 barrels, according to whether the cartridge-case 

 carries (i) a cap constructed for cordite 5 (2) a 

 rather too powerful cap ; or (3) the ordinary 

 cap. Further, the amount of air-space left between 

 the powder and the base of the bullet governs, 

 to a great extent, the combustion, and the amount 

 of pressure which is exerted on the barrels. In 

 addition to these factors, we find variations in 

 cordite according to the degree of heat to which 

 it is subjected, as well as to the amount of moisture 

 which it contains. 



All the above considerations should deter sports- 

 men from trying any experiments with cordite or 

 kindred powders, from attempting to load their 

 own cartridges with such, and even from purchas- 

 ing loaded cartridges from anyone except the 

 makers of their own rifles. 



Taking the larger bores first, rifles burning 



458 



