LOADING AND MANAGEMENT OF RIFLES. 367 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE LOADING, CARE, AND MANAGEMENT OF RIFLES. 



ALTHOUGH upon principle the rotation of a rifle- 

 ball balances inequalities in it as rotation does in a 

 spinning top, yet the fact is that the effect of inequal- 

 ities is simply reduced and not annulled. Though 

 defectively cast balls may appear to shoot quite well, 

 yet they will not average such accurate work as well- 

 made ones; and however true some of them may go, 

 any one of them is liable to stray at the very time 

 when you most depend upon it. Lead for casting 

 balls should be melted in a large ladle; or a small 

 pot is better. It should be stirred to a uniform den- 

 sity, kept clear of dross, kept at a uniform heat, and 

 not allowed to get too hot. It should be dipped 

 out with a clay pipe or iron spoon, which should also 

 be kept at the same temperature by being kept im- 

 mersed in the molten lead. 



It used to be thought that the softest lead is the 

 best. This is true enough for solid balls as far as 

 killing effect is concerned. The softest lead is not 

 only the heaviest, but will expand the most upon 

 striking. For a muzzle-loader with round ball or 

 short cylindrical or conical ball it is probably the 

 best metal. But whether softness is necessary for 

 accuracy in any rifle, however light the ball, may well 

 be doubted. It is, however, in such cases accurate 

 enough. 



