OX RECOIL. 193 



" If a similar round ball were cast into smaller shot, say 

 thirty-two to the ounce, it would be found, by the revolving 

 meter and recoil-rest, that the initial velocity of these would 

 be less than the single ball, and the recoil considerably 

 greater. The explanation is this : in consequence of there 

 being a number of small shot instead of a single large one, 

 they would lie, when loaded, in a cylindrical position, each 

 shot of the outer circle touching the sides of the barrel ; so 

 that in the aggregate they would occasion greater friction, 

 and, consequently, greater retardation to their own progress 

 in passing up the barrel action and reaction would, how- 

 ever, still be equal. 



" In like manner an equal weight of No. 1, or eighty pellets 

 to the ounce, will leave the muzzle with a greater velocity and 

 less recoil than No. 6, or two hundred and seventy pellets to 

 the ounce ; the smaller shot approaching nearer (and the 

 ] m ire so as it is smaller) to the solid form of an elongated 

 cylindrical bullet ; in fact, an elongated bullet is but a more 

 considerable number of particles or atoms of lead lying close 

 together, and, if of a cylindrical form, causing greater friction 

 on the sides of the barrel. 



" This closeness of the pellets and their tendency to cause 

 more or less friction in passing up the barrel may be seen 

 at a glance, by those who are acquainted with the nature of 

 friction, on pouring an ounce and a half or two ounces of 

 each sort of shot into a glass tube the size of a gun barrel 

 the one sort to be poured on the top of the other, with a 

 wadding between each two. A careful examination of such 

 a collection should teach the sportsman, that the smaller the 

 shot the less in weight he should use, if he wishes to insure 

 a high velocity. By reducing the quantity he would also 

 reduce the recoil. 



" Any addition to the usual quantity of shot will cause a 

 greater amount of friction in its passage, just the same as 

 adding to the length of the cylindrical portion of a rifle bullet. 

 Thick tight wadding also retards, and adds to the friction of 

 the charge. When the barrel becomes foul the friction is 

 also increased. Cartridges, which might easily be made on 

 an improved plan, cause more friction than loose shot; and 

 cartridges with bone dust still more, though, in consequence 



o 



