350 THE SPOKTING RIFLE. 



" Numerous patterns of bullet-moulds are now in use, and 

 the point from which the bullet is run varies the usual 

 places at which the run-hole is placed being, 1st, the point; 

 2nd, the side ; 3rd, the ridge between the hollow and exterior 

 of base and 4th, the hollow in the base. 



" However well a bullet is cast, it is always subject to 

 certain defects which are, an irregular surface at the spot 

 whence the neck has been removed, and generally, or always, 

 an air-hole, which is usually situated just below the place at 

 which the bullet has been run. The great object to be 

 attained is to place these defective parts in such a position 

 as to exert the least possible influence on the motion of the 

 bullet when passing through the air. The first defect 

 irregularity of surface injurious to the correct flight of the 

 bullet, by the air acting on it, and thus altering its direction ; 

 and the latter internal air-holes by disturbing the balance 

 of the bullet round its axis of rotation, and thus tending to 

 cause a certain degree of irregularity in its motion ; but if 

 this air-hole be situated on the bullet's axis it will not affect 

 its balance on that axis, and the further it may be from it 

 the more its disturbing influence must be felt. 



"It is clear, therefore, that in order to reduce the in- 

 fluence of the two unavoidable defects pointed out to a 

 minimum, the bullet should be run from the centre of the 

 hollow in the base, as the " burr" left is then in a position 

 where the air cannot act on it, and the air-hole is, in all 

 probability, on the axis of rotation. The only moulds that 

 I am aware of that fulfil the conditions required are of a 

 pattern invented and patented by Mr. Charles Lancaster, 

 and are most ingenious in their construction. The plunger 

 which forms the hollow in the base of the bullet is cupped 

 out to the shape of a small basin, in which there is a hole 

 slightly eccentric, or just off the centre. To this plunger a 

 small handle is attached, a movement of which in either 

 direction, after the lead has been poured into the mould, 

 detaches the neck and leaves the bullet perfect. It is true 

 that, in order to cut off the neck by a circular movement of 

 the plunger, the run-hole cannot be precisely over the axis 

 of the bullet, but it is so nearly so as to amount practically 

 to the same thing. 



