Major J. G. Barnard on Elongated Projectiles. 197 
- Twill but add a few very general conclusions I have arrived 
at from the foregoing. 
First, the elongated ball possesses, from its very shape, a ten- 
deucy to pursue the direction of tts axis. This tendency should 
be made available, so far as practicable, to sustaining the flight, 
and flattening the trajectory. 
nd. In the modern improvements in the art of throwing 
rojectiles from rifled fire-arms, a decided step has been made 
kwards, in losing that most essential element to range and ac- 
curacy, initial velocity. It is desirable, and, I should think, not 
impracticable to restore it. 
he initial velocity of the old rifle ball (weighing but about 
180 ma was 1750 feet per second. To the modern projectile, 
Weighing about 500 grains, is given but from 900 to 1000 feet 
initial velocity. 
It would doubtless be difficult to give the high velocity to so 
heavy a ball, and if given, the recoil would be inadmissible. 
- hy throw so heavy a ball?—and why adhere to such cali- 
Bt 3 > oe call 
gnt. 
Both these advantages can be attained with a light ball as well 
#8 with a heavy one, 
, Al Increase of weight over that of the old musket ball is, in 
Mh objectionable, by increasing the soldier’s load. 
can see no reason why, to a ball of the weight of the old 
— ball (340 grains), may not be given all the properties of 
the heavier Ones, with the additional great advantage of a high 
initial velocity, approximating to that of the old rifle balls. 
To accomplish this, of course, the calibre must be greatly re- 
dueed—the 
af Coves around the after end, so arranged that the resultant 
ie © ait's resistance shall pass as nearly as practicable through 
a : 
keep the axis coincident with the tangent to the trajectory, have 
- ee seems to show that this balancing of the forces of ’ be 
without grooves (vide Wilcox, p. 160), for the Enfield ball and the Whit- 
tatements ie seem to be without them, as likewise Lancaster's, se 
ever, as to the deviation of these projectiles. 
