348 THE SPORTING RIFLE. 



CHAPTER IY. 



THE ACCESSORIES OF THE RIFLE. 



BULLET MOULDS CASTING BULLETS SWEDGING MACHINE PATCHES 



CARTRIDGES RAMRODS PLAIN AND TELESCOPE SIGHTS RIFLE 



POWDER FLASK RESTS. 



BULLET MOULDS. 



Bullet moulds are all constructed of steel or brass, in two 

 portions, which open like a pair of pincers, and sometimes 

 with a third, called a " plunger," which leaves the hollow at 

 the base. The Government bullets are made by compression, 

 but the expense of the machine puts it out of the power of 

 private individuals. Beyond the elementary principle of 

 casting the bullet in this hinged mould, there are several 

 variations as, for instance, in the position of the "run 

 hole," through which the lead is poured. This may be, 1st, 

 at the point of the bullet; 2nd, in the hollow at the base; 

 3rd, on the side; 4th, on the edge of the hollow. Again, 

 the form of the cutter varies being in the old spherical 

 bullet mould placed in the handles, and requiring a second 

 operation ; while in many modern moulds it cuts off the neck 

 as the mould is opened. The following remarks by "A 

 Welshman," who is a high practical authority oiithis subject, 

 are extracted from the Field. 



" It is well known that bullets made by compression, like 

 the service ones, are superior to any that can be produced by 

 casting, on account of their being more uniform in size and 

 weight, smoother on the surface, and free from internal air- 

 holes ; but bullets thus made are not at present to be obtained 

 by volunteers (unless the Government should permit them 

 to purchase from their stores); and they must therefore 

 content themselves with such as they can get, or cast for 

 themselves. An uniform bore and size of bullet being uni- 

 versally adopted, it will become a question whether it would 

 not pay some one, as a speculation, to procure self-acting 



