S2 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Feb. 16, 1883 



150 grains, this initial velocity should be over the mark, es- 

 • pecially as a much stronger powder was used than American 

 powder. Below is the curve, showing drop of hall at each 

 25 yards interval, and then the curve arranged for a point 

 blank of 2(10 yards : 



.(55 oal., 437W grain ball. Initial velocity. 1,815 f. ». Barometer, 



30.00 inches. 



■Distances in vards, 25 50 75 100 135 150 175 200 



Drop, inched, 36 1.61 4.11 8.12 10.13 14.08 23.33 33.27 47.53 



Trajectory 5.58 10.21 13.71 15.04 16.00 15.62 13.31 8.31 



Tins is based on a sea level, near which elevation it is sup- 

 posed this rifle is being used, and if a higher elevation the 

 curve will be slightly "flatter. The highest point of this 

 curve, as calculated, is about 330 'feet, or .55 per cent, of 

 total range. Mr. Van Dyke says, it should be 68 or 70 per 

 cent, for the 100 yard range. I am sure he is in error, as 

 all experiments by the chronograph are against his theory, 

 and his opinion is due, doubtless, to want of proper facilities 

 for testing it. 



Herewith is a diagram drawn to scale, showing more par- 

 ticularly the different curves above described. 



ABCis the curve, as chalked out by the author. ABD 

 the curve as its initial velocity would 'indicate. A E B is 

 the curve " suggested ' : as having been made by the ball, with 

 A K the line of bore, prolonged A F H the calculated curve. 

 It will be seen that the calculated curve does not differ a 

 great deal from the "suggested" curve, the latter dropping 

 40 to 45 inches and the former 47 inches. A little higher 

 elevation than sea level and a more careful statement of the 

 curve, as claimed, would probably bring them very closely 

 together. At any rate, this looks' to me as a solution of the 

 difficulty, in regard to the author's supposing this particular 

 bullet holds up very near level to 120 yards, tlw ball really 

 rMng 2'- 2 Miches at 50 yanh. 



But Mr. Van Dyke, as well as others, may very naturally 

 suggest doubts as to flu- correctness of the calculated curve. 

 My reply is, that taking his own figures, his claim to a curve 

 straight up to a certain distance, lias been proven an impos- 

 sibility, and a suggestion is made which will prove my cal- 

 culated curve a near approximation to the true one, and at 

 the same time offers a correct solution to the difficulty. The 

 calculated curve is based on experiments, and to show how 

 close a calculated curve can agree with an actual curve, ob- 

 tained through screens, I have taken curve No. 9, of the tallies 

 given in Forest also Stukam of Sept. 1, found out by means 

 of its known ordinates its initial velocity and thence'calcula- 

 ted the curve. The two are given together and comparison 

 is readily made. 



Kange in vards 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 



Actual curve of No 9. 4.71 8.05 10.51 11,30 10.64 8.75 5.08 



Calculated curve 4.43 7.88 10.30 11.25 10.90 9.16 5.57 



Difference —.32 —.17 —.31 —.05 +.26 +.41 +.411 



These two curves diil'er at no point more than one-half 

 inch, remarkably close. Even the curve traced by means of 

 the chronographs is rarely theoretically correct. The calcu- 

 lated curves are theoretically correct. These given in the 

 tables are as " caught " on the screens. 



An examination of the table, given in a previous paragraph, 

 giving the initial velocities and drop for 50, 100, and 200 yards 

 of five of the fastest balls of the London Wield trials, compared 

 with the " drop " of tiie .05 eal. ounce ball, as claimed by Mr. 

 yan Dyke, and with ''drop" of same ball, as calculated, to 

 my mind is conclusive of the fallacy of his position, did no 

 other reasons exist, The rifles used in these trials were made 

 especially for high velocity, by one of the best London mak- 

 ers, the powder used (C; & if.' No. 6), stands at the head of 

 the list of English rifle sporting powders, and yet, in no ease, 

 using a less powder proportion than used with the .05 cali- 

 bre, the dr-op of these halls are from 1.36 inch to 1.56 inch 

 at 50 yards, and from 6.54 inch to 7.64 inch at 100 yards. 

 and from 32 inch to 49 inch at 200 yards ; compared with 

 not exceeding one inch at 100 to 120 vards, and 20 inch at 

 200 yards. The curve made by the .577 cal. 287^ grain 

 sphere, with an initial velocity ol 1,950 f. s,„ should certainly 

 be as flat for 125 yards as the .65 cal. sphere, and we see 

 that that of the first ball agrees very closely to 125 yards, 

 with the calculated curve dropping a little more than the 

 heavier sphere at 200 yards. The former curve rising at 

 highest point 17 inches, against 10 inches for the heavier 

 bail, which result agrees with the relative co-efficient of air 

 resistance of the two— 8.08 to 6.76. 



In the same chapter we find, "But from the moment a 

 ball begins to drop the ratio of its drop increases, so that a 

 ball that drops two inches at 100 yards, may be down fen 

 inches at 125 yards, and three, four, or five, or even six feet 

 at 200 vards, depending upon its power of holding its origi- 

 nal velocity against the resistance erf the air." Any ball that, 

 can acquire such a velocity as to drop only t'co inches at 

 100 vards. would not drop exceeding 12 inches at 200 yards, 

 J not follow the erratic path the author chalks out, 

 Such a sudden turn as occurs at the 100 yard point cannot be 

 made' by a rapidly flying ball. Plotting the curve shows its 

 absurdity, and the same'solution suggests itself as in the last 

 illustration, thai the ball really passes well above the assumed 

 line of bore vA 30 vards. The velocity indicated by the two 

 inch drop is an average of 3,000 f. s. or 3,200 f. s. initial 

 velocity— n.n impossibility, as before shown, 



Again, in same chapter, in comparing the curves made by 

 the three balls A B and C, all of 437% grains weight, and o'f 

 .65, .55 and .44 calibre, respectively, and propelled by 100 

 grains of powder, he starts out with the assumption that the. .65 

 calibre spherical ball will have the highest initial velocity, 

 though all having the same propulsive force. On the suppo- 

 sition that each ball is thrown from barrels of length suitable 

 to utilize fully the 100 grains of powder, it is clear to my 

 mind, and agreeable to experiments, that they will all start 

 with the same velocity. The .44 cal., Avith co-efficient of re- 

 sistance of 3.09, will gain on the other two at every in- 

 stant, and reach the 100 yard point in .217 second, and the 200 

 yard point in .465 second. The .55 cal. ball is uext, with a 

 constant gain on the spherical ball, with co-efficient of resist- 

 ance of 4.84, reaching the 100 yard point in .226 second, 

 and the 200 yard point in .498 second ; and the .65 cal., with 

 co-efficient of resistance of 6.76, passing the 100 yard point in 

 .247 second, reaches the 200 yard point in .581 second. The 

 drop at the 200 vard point of these balls being 41.76 inches. 

 47.99 inches, and 65.66 inches, respectively. Initial velocity of 

 each assumed at 1,480 f. s. pressure of air, 30.00 inches of 

 mercury. If I understand the principles which these examples 

 are intended to illustrate, they are equally as erroneous as the 

 illustrations. Several more comparisons are made in the 

 same chapter between the .44 conical and .65 spherical ball, 

 mostly to the disadvantage of the smaller bore. 



If rny figures above given are correct, of which I have no 

 doubt. 'the .44 cal. ounce ball, with 100 grains powder, though 

 starting with a velocity 335 feet, less than the .65 spherical 

 ball of same weight, will reach the 200 vard point in less time, 

 .496— .465 = .031 second, and have a flatter trajectory. This 

 will be the less wondered at, when in addition to the greater 

 atmospheric resistance from the difference of calibres, the re- 

 lative resistance from the cubic late of resistance (respectively, 

 144.7 and 107.4, with average, velocities) is considered. 



Mr, Van Dyke has thrown down the gauntlet to the small 

 bore advocates on the question of the best rifle for deer hunt- 

 ing. But for the great length of this article it would now be 

 taken up, and I think it could be just as easily shown that 

 he is just as far wrong in regard to' his favorite rifle as he is 

 wrong in his understanding of the laws of projectiles. For 

 the past seven months I have been among the large game, 

 with the .45 cal. rifle, described in the tables as Ho. 5, using 

 the express charges indicated. "With it I have killed 24griz- 

 zfles (19 of them in a little over one month, 17 of them requir- 

 ing only a single shot), besides many elk, mountain sheep 

 and mountain bison required for camp meat and baits. 

 I have no hesitation in claiming that it is a more destruc- 

 tive arm for all kinds of game, modifying the ball to suit the 

 game. One of my party at the same time used the .40 cal. 

 rifle, described as No. 7 in the table, with express charges. 

 From its performance among deer and elk, I will guarantee, 

 by way of a parting shot, that in his hands it will kill as 

 many or more deer, and do if as effectually, with all kind of 

 shots, and with as few shots as his 12 lb. rifle, in the hands 

 of an equally skilful hunter in the same game district, the 

 .4(7 cal. to be reduced to 8% or 9 lbs. weight. Either of these 

 rifles have a much flatter trajectory up to 200 yards, and in 

 that way will make more hits. P. 



Stinking Rivee, AVyomhig, Nov. 11, 1881. 



I observe in your last number a notice that ' ' an article 

 from ' P.' on the ' Trajectory Curves of Sporting Rifles' will 

 be published in our next, issue," Feb. 16. I am highly pleased 

 alibis. His articles, always abounding in solid facts, are in- 

 valuable contributions to your excellent, paper. " P." is not 

 one of those who write from mere guess, work, but he states 

 the facts as he has actually proven them to be. He also 

 writes without partiality for any one rifle, lint brings each in 

 to receive the reward it is entitled to after the impartial ex- 

 periments he has made with them all. This is as it should 

 be, and I bespeak for his article a happy reception. In "P." 

 we see combined the essential qualities of a skillful 

 sportsman, an educated theorist, ami an impartial experi- 

 menter with the rifle. He is a, good authority, for he thor- 

 oughly understands his subject, and in this respect has never 

 beep surpassed by any one who has contributed to your 

 columns. I say this, not to flatter him, but in behalf of the 

 science of rifle shooting, and of the fads he sets forth for the 

 information of others. Maj. II. W. Mekkill. 



New Rqchelle, N. Y. 



Long Island. — During the last warm spell redheads and 

 broadbills came into the bay at Good Ground, L. I. , and 

 several of the old gunners prophesy good shooting this spring 

 as soon as the bay opens. It. is said that Lane will run two 

 rigs of liv» decoys this spring besides three batteries for duck 

 shooting. 



Proposed "Wisconsin Deer Law.— The following bill has 

 been introduced into the Wisconsin Legislature. It has been 

 prepared by earnest and experienced men, and ought to be- 

 come a law: "Section 1. No person shall at anytime take, 

 catch. Mil or destroy anj^ deer for any purpose, except for 

 consumption thereof as food, within this State. Section 2. 

 No person, company or corporation . shall take, catch, kill or 

 destroy any^ deer, or have in possession any part of the carcass 

 of the same for consumption as food, within tins State, ex- 

 cept duringthe months of October and November in each 

 year. Section 3. No person, company or corporation shall 

 expose for sale or have in possession, except alive, at any time, 

 any deer, or any part of the carcass of the same, with the in- 

 tention of sending or transporting or having the same sent or 

 transported beyond the limits of i liis State. Section 4. Every 

 violation of any provision of this act shall be a. misdemeanor 

 and shall be punished by a fine of fifty dollars, and any per- 

 son so offending shall, on conviction and in default of pay- 

 ment of such fine, be committed to the county jail until 

 such time, not exceeding thirty days, as such fine shall be 

 paid." 



Ciiica&o. Feb. 6, 1882.— The "Sportsman's Club," of 

 this city, has just completed its new club house and boat 

 house (in its grounds at Thayer's Landing, Indiana. Thayer's 

 Landing is on the Kankakee Paver, Seventy" miles from 

 Chicago, and is reached by the, Chicago, New Albany and 

 Louisville Railroad. The shooting on the club's grounds is 

 first-class and is unequaled in this part, of the country. The 

 duck, goose, snipe, chicken, quail and ruffed grouse shooting 

 is superb. I bagged seventy-two ducks and one goose there 

 last November. The following are among the members of 

 the Sportsman's Club: W. W. Foss. H. B. Foss, C. A. Orvis, 

 F. H. Elmer, R. A. Turtle, John J. Flanders, Frank Bar- 

 nard, Ed. S. Douglas, Harry Orvis, Jim Shean and Charles 

 Reitz. — Ten-Boke. 



Wolves Abundant. — Chippewa Falls, Wis. — If any of 

 your readers are short of wolves it might be well for them to 

 come up this way. An old woodsman who had just returned 

 from the woods tells me the "varmints" are wonderfully 

 plenty, and made music around his, camp every night. He 

 found more than one place where they had captured and 

 eaten a deer. One of the men at a logging camp lately shot 

 a deer and followed it less than a mile, but when the animal 

 fell he found only some of its larger bones. The wolves had 

 got. in ahead of him. A case, perhaps, of retributive justice, 

 for the deer was killed out of season, a thing which,' I pre- 

 sume, occurs frequently in the vicinity of our logging 

 camps.— Badger. 



Wenonah, N. J., Feb. 7, 1882.— We have just had our 

 first considerable snow stoma of Ihe season. Up to within a 

 few days many birds which usually leave us in the winter 

 have remained 'here. To-day, and for several davs past, the 

 song thrush has been with" us. I do not before remember 

 seeing them till May. One covey of five or six quails only is 

 all that has been seen in this vicinity for more than a year 

 past, It is hoped that the Legislature will pass a law "pro- 

 hibiting their destruction for at least three years. — M. P. P. j 



The Police "Take in" a Fox.— Dover, N. H., Jan. 29, 

 1882. — Last Thursday a novel fox chase took place near here, 

 and wound up in nearly the centre of our city. In early 

 morning Mr. Edward Bartlett, of Great Falls, "started two 

 full-grown foxes on Goodwin's Hill, some two miles from 

 here, and, after running two or three hours, the foxes 

 made direct for our city and came down one of our 

 main streets, passing a number of persons and teams, 

 and took shelter in a stable belonging to Mr. John B. Hall, 

 where one was captured by two police officers, the other es- 

 caping. The one captured was afterwards killed, and the 

 owner of the dogs running was notified he. could have the 

 skin by applying at police station No. 1 of this city. The, 

 Dover Rod and Gun Club held its annual supper last week; 

 and a most enjoyable affair it was, too. — W. A. G. 



Halifax, N. S., Feb. 10. — The annual meeting of the 

 Game and Inland Fishery Protection Society, of this city, 

 was held on the 7th inst. The report of the year's work 

 showed that the Society had been very active, succeeding in 

 convicting many offenders against the game laws. Officers 

 elected for the ensuing year: President, "Robert Morrow (re- 

 elected); Vice-Presidents, Lieut, •( "'ol, Gierke and E, G. Stay- 

 ner; Secretary-Treasurer, A. E. Harrington (re-elected); 

 Council: M. B. Daly, Peter Jack. Andrew Kinsr, C. R. Barry, 

 Capt, Cooke, R. M. Fusiliers; Capt, Eden, 1st Yorkshire 

 Regiment; Hon. L. G. Power. Capt, Boua.hev. Lieut. VYrot- 

 tesley, R.E.; Capt. Lane, R.M.F.; Oswald Pryor and C. S. 

 Harrington. 



C ha rleston, Blinois, Feb. 9, 1882. — I believe whiter has 

 broken. On the 3d meadow larks were here and singing. On 

 the 7th wild pigeons were flying in all directions; ducks and 

 geese flying north. 



Inquisitive Yisitor (to captain of life saving station, 

 loquitur): " I shoidd think you might shoot lots ofporpoises 

 here, Captain." 



Captain (who does not hear quite well, and imagines that 

 the remark referred to foxes): "Well, so we might, but then 

 wc haven't got any dogs here, and they squat in the grass so 

 that, it's mighty hard to see them."' 



Curtain falls to chorus of laughing surfrnen. 



CitRE for Gout. — We commend the following to our 

 gouty readers: Senator Voorliees says: " I have cured myself 

 of rheumatic gout by a simple remedy — taking lemon juice in 

 Avarm water twice or three limes per day. Consequently, 1 

 am able to do what I have not done for years — walk f rom'my 

 lodging to the Capitol and back, a matter of four miles every 

 day, and outstrip the young fellows who go with me." 



The .Scientific American, formerly our near neighbor, is 

 now issued from its new office, No. 261 Broadway, on the 

 opposite side of the City Hall Park from ourownofl'ice. The 

 journal maintains its high position of ability and usefulness. 



PUBLISHERS' DEPARTMENT. 



TC. Ct. Koenig is advertising a Flobert parlor rifle for §5. also a full 

 line of guns, pistols, nshtng-taQkle, etc. His address is 8?5 Broad , 

 street, Newark, N. J. 



Rubber Goods are always in demand for the field. The old firm of: 

 !' '.iL-ieun ,t Co. was one of the first to make a specialty of sports- 

 men's rubber goods, and in this branch ot the trade cannot be sur- 

 passed by any manufacturers in the world, 



LONG ISLAND FISHERIES.— Surveyor King, of Green- 

 port, reports the following statistics of the menhaden fishery 

 on the Long Island coast for the year 1881: Menhaden ren- 

 dered, 151,000,000; gaJlonsof oU manufactured, (JoO.000; tons of 

 scrap, 13,616; tons of edible rish marketed, 770. The men who 

 rake clams in the waters of East Hampton sent to market in 

 the season 11,000 bushels of clams, 



