194: ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF GUNNERY. 



of the shot being longer kept together in a mass, the shot 

 ranges farther. In fact, anything that increases the friction 

 increases also the recoil, and lessens the initial velocity of the 

 shot. The very reprehensible method of freeing or relieving 

 the bore that is, making it somewhat wider towards the 

 breech creates also a greater amount of friction, by retarding 

 the passage of the shot. This plan was much patronized at 

 one time by the Americans, but it has lately, and very pro- 

 perly, been exploded by the United States Government as 

 unscientific, and worse than useless. It would be difficult, 

 however, to convince some people that it is so : for many 

 have an idea that an advantage is gained by retarding the 

 shot until the gases evolved by the ignited powder have time 

 to act ; but, as these gases are rapidly though progressively 

 evolved, any resistance must operate injuriously, as the 

 velocity of the shot cannot possibly increase after it has left 

 the muzzle. Moreover, if a cartridge be used, it must sit too 

 easy in a freed bore, allowing a portion of the gases to escape 

 past it, and mix with the already condensing air in front of 

 the charge in the barrel, causing greater recoil and retarda- 

 tion to the shot. If loaded with loose shot it must cause 

 greater friction, as the mass of shot must be contracted and 

 lengthened before it can leave the muzzle, greater recoil and 

 diminished velocity being the result. A barrel so relieved 

 may shoot with more velocity than one which is supposed to 

 be a perfect cylinder ; but a careful examination of both, 

 with all their accessories, will show that such relief alone is 

 not the true cause of the superiority. 



" In firing with some barrels and certain charges it often 

 happens that a portion of the powder employed is driven out 

 in an unconsumed state ; it may therefore appear feasible 

 that by retaining the shot a sufficient length of time this 

 portion may be brought to bear upon it ; but the cause of 

 the powder not being wholly consumed must be attributed to 

 the practice of ramming down the charge too tightly, or 

 charging with more powder than the length and calibre of 

 the barrel will beneficially burn, and not to the shot passing 

 out too freely. The object of granulating or corning powder 

 is to enable the flame to play freely amongst the mass. The 

 charge, therefore, should never be tightly rammed down, or 



