Feb. 7, 1884.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



29 



lands of Lis neighbors, and be able to take himself away 

 from the cares "of business, freed from all "rumors of op- 

 pression and. deceit, successful and unsuccessful war," and 

 when tire hunt was over, fee] an invigoratiou in mind and 

 body, which no frequented spot could give. 



A Happy New Year to all. Wells. 



Dec. 31, 1883, 



THE CHOICE OF HUNTING RIFLES. 



Editor Forexl and Stream: 



In spite of my resolution to the contrary, I find myself 

 asking once more to be heard upon this, subject, since 1 see 

 that lain not clearly understood by all. With the opinion 

 of Mr. Duane in your last issue, that the question is one of 

 improvement of ammunition rather than of existing arms, 

 I fully accord. 



M v* theory as regards the effect of certain charges upon 

 name has already been incompletely set forth at some length. 

 My desire now is to more fully explain myself with reference 

 to'this division of the subject. 



My experience, 1 need not repeat, has demonstrated suffi- 

 ciently, to me at least, that upou heavy game a light bullet is 

 not effective. Especially if it be hollow-fronted or the lead 

 be soft, the tendency is too great, to flatten out and to fly to 

 pieces upon striking game, when a high degree of velocity 

 has beem imparted to the bullet. I also have found, theory 

 to the contrary notwithstanding, that "shock" without pen- 

 etration counts for very little on large game. Consequently, 

 though with a large charge of powder and a light bullet we 

 get one very desirable thing— flat trajectory— we are very 

 apt to lose another and more desirable thing— good penetra- 

 tion and killing power. 



But cannot we compromise? For it seems to me that by 

 mutual concession we may still be able to get results which 

 will happily combine the two, and which will give us suffi- 

 cient penetration with the flattest trajectory possible when 

 using a bullet heavy enough for the. former purpose. 



Bearing this in mind, caunot some one suggest a charge, a 

 proportion of powder to lead whereby the best possible re- 

 sults shall be obtained? I need hardly add that he will 

 thereby incur the lasting gratitude of all who love and use 

 the "hunting" rifle. As to the chief principle involved in 

 the effect of different charges upon game, it may be said 

 that its best illustration is had when we speak of it as being 

 the converse of that principle by which a tallow caudle is 

 driven through a board. Give this a low degree of velocity 

 and it will be found to be mashed and demolished by the re- 

 sistance of the board. 



Give it a high degree of velocity and it is driven cleanly 

 through the board" the resistance having been overcome. 

 Now. the converse of this is our case. (Let me say that it is 

 better demonstrated with a hollow -fronted or very soft 

 bullet than with a hard, solid one.) 



Conversely, then, since in this case we are driving the 

 hard substance against the soft one, if we give the bullet a 

 very low degree of velocity it will scarcely penetrate the 

 skin. 



Increase the degree of velocity and better and better pene- 

 tration is had until a limit is r. ached, which we wifl call the 

 maximum of penetration with this particular weight and 

 character of bullet. This "limit" may be and in many 

 cases no doubt is more than sufficient for game shooting. 



Now, after this point has been passed, additional velocity 

 will continue to give less and less peuetration, until theo- 

 retically and sometimes almost practically we come back to 

 the point from which we started, no penetration at all. 



That is, in my humble unscientific opinion, after this limit 

 has been reached, the skin and flesh offer more and more 

 resistance as the bullet is driven with greater rapidity, which 

 amounts to the same as saying that a bullet impelled with 

 infinite velocity will not penetrate at all since it would meet 

 with an infinite resistance. Flesh would become adamant 

 as opposed to it. 



The immense force of the powder remaining after the 

 bullet arrives at its destination is thus reflective in its effect, 

 and is expended upon flattening and mashing up the bullet. 

 So thus it is seen that there is such a thing as too great a 

 charge of powder. 



Now we can probably better understand how it is when 

 using light and hollow-pointed bullets (the latter feature of 

 course greatly retarding the bulletin its course through flesh 

 if it holds together, since it causes it to spread and present a 

 greater surface), while we get flat trajectory and certain 

 force, we do not get penetration and killing effect. Of 

 course I do not care in what shape the bullet in its entirety 

 reaches the "other" skin, the more battered aud irregular in 

 shape the better. But the prime requisite is that it should 

 never fail to penetrate the vitals, tlie "hollow," and to break 

 whatever bones'it encounters from whatever point it enters. 



For example, if I shoot an animal standing quartering 

 away from me, and hit him in the left ham, I want to find 

 that' the bullet has broken the right fore shoulder. Let it 

 never fail to go from end to end. Of course, further pene- 

 tration than that is unnecessary. Get this effect first, and a 

 certain weight of lead is indispensable thereto, then do what 

 you can with regard to flat trajectory, i regard the order of 

 merits of a hunting rifle to be: 



First — Safety. 



Second — Strength, durability anal ease of manipulation. 



Third — Sufficient accuracy. 



Fourth — Killing power and penetration. 



Fifth— Flat trajectory. 



Sixth — Portability, to be determined, of course, by the in- 

 dividual strength of him who expects to use it. 



Seventh — Freedom from recoil. 



Eighth — Finish and ornamentation, which, while it counts 

 for something and gives rise to a pardonable spirit of pride 

 in the possession of the arm, yet detracts somewhat from the 

 pleasure of a rough trip, since so much care is required to 

 keep it bright and in good condition. 



Now then, for all deer, sheep, antelope and like smaller 

 game, and even elk, and presumably moose and caribou, 300 

 grains of lead is quite sufficient, and for game of this kind 

 I would consider the .45-85-295 or preferably the .40-95-300 

 of Bullard manufacture, referred to by Mr. Farrow, just the 

 thing. I need not say that I am delighted with the intro 

 duction of these rifles.* But for large bear, and for buffalo, 

 or for game in India, I would desire more lead at the ex- 

 pense »f flat trajectory since we cannot have both, and 

 greater killing power and penetration is needed ; say about 

 400 to 500 grams. 



A hard bullet of 450 grains, -,V tin, with a very small hole 



extending one-third or at the most one-half its length, would 



be, as I at present, without having tested it, suppose, very 



effective upon such large game. 



I quite understand "Bengal Sepoy's'' answer to my object 



tion to English express rifles. There is something unques- 

 tionably in the hollow -fronted bullet theory. But these are 

 at present made to my mind incorrectly, i. e., the hollow or 

 bole is much too large and too deep; so also do I think that 

 in the anxiety to get flat trajectory, the charge of powder 

 employed is too great and good penetration aud killing power 

 are sacrificed in consequence since it acts reflectively, as is 

 above shown, upon the bullet, Thus will be understood my 

 present preference for a solid bullet. 



Now could not this Bollard .40-90 repeater use two kinds 

 of ammunition so that we might vary this, as suggested by 

 "C. D.," according to the game we are likely to shoot at or 

 aecofdingtq the distance. 



I should think that by careful loading with a tube the 

 same .40-caliber shell which is now loaded with 90 to 95 

 grains powder and 300 grains lead, could also be loaded with 

 at least 80 to 85 grains powder and 425 to 450 grains lead, 

 hollow-fronted bullet or not, as desired, and yet maintain the 

 same, length of cartridge. The liability to get them confused 

 could be readily avoided by putting one charge in a dark 

 colored copper shell, the other in a bright brass one. That 

 one size of shell could in this way use two charges does not 

 seem at all unreasonable to me. 



Thus equipped and with a good, reliable rifle one could 

 saunter forth with the positive assurance that if any animal 

 gets away from or with him it will be in no wise the fault of 

 his "iron," a most comforting thought indeed. To be. as- 

 sured that no one else has a better, more serviceable or more 

 effective rifle than yourself is a source of a great deal of self- 

 congratulation. And it is equally true that to feel that some 

 one in the party has a rifle better than yours gives rise to a 

 proportionate amount of bitter reflection and self-condemna- 

 lion of your poor judgment in its selection. 



I have beeu extremely gratified at the interest taken in this 

 discussion, and am glad to get the views of so many who 

 use the hunting rifle. 



I may say that I heartily agree with some, of the partici- 

 pants, and have no doubt that some of the rifles, or more 

 especially the charges advocated by them, are extremely 

 satisfactory. 



in concluding, allow me to express the hope that manu- 

 facturers have not turned a deaf ear to these suggestions of 

 your correspondents, which are founded upon "practical 

 experience and observation," but have followed the discus- 

 sion closely. If this be the case, 1 feel certain that it will 

 be fruitful in good results, and that in consequence we will 

 soon be able to note many improvements both in rifles and 

 ammunition. D. M. B. 



Philadelphia. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



[Continued from page 0.] 



The first objection to the proposed repeater, .40-90-500, is 

 that the ball will have a low initial velocity, and cannot have 

 anything else. Its long-range power and peuetration will 

 be sufficient to satisfy anyone. But to accomplish that, a 

 great sacrifice of short-range efficiency must be made. 



It seems absurd at this day to ask, why should a ball 

 crawl out of a rifle at the rate of one thousand feet per 

 second, wnen it can fly out at two? And yet there are 

 thousands of hunters, and good ones too, who see no differ- 

 ence and even think of no difference. If the ball will shoot 

 lengthwise through a deer, and will make the dust fly close 

 to a stump at half a mile, they think it perfection and never 

 dream of the high curve the ball must make to fall into the 

 mark at 200 yards, and which causes so xiany unavoidable 

 misses by even the best shots, the best adjusters of sights, 

 and the best judges of distance. 



I believe I was about the first one to attack the low velocity 

 of American rifles. The position 1 then took in the old Rob 

 and Gun, has since been thoroughly sustaiued by the best 

 hunters and writers; even by those who dissent" from me 

 upon some points, such as your correspondent "P.," Major 

 Merrill and others being most emphatic upon this question. 

 So great has been the weight of intelligent opinion upou this 

 side, that the question has become quite one-sided, and flat 

 trajectory at 150 or 200 yards is now considered by all 

 thoughtful riflemen the second requisite of a good hunting 

 rifle — accuracy being, of course, tlie first. In fact, it is in- 

 comprehensible to me, how any really good shot, who knows 

 where he holds his sights when he pulls the trigger, could 

 hunt much without finding out the great defect of the long 

 bullet and light powder charge, and finding out the supreme 

 importance of flattening the 150 or 200 yard trajectory every 

 inch that is poj 



The velocity attainable by a 500-grain ball in a , 40-caliber 

 with 90 grains of powder, would be about the same as that 

 of the long-range rifle— .44-100-550. The trajectory of this 

 up to 200 yards is so high that it is a perfect nuisance for 

 shooting at unknown distances; a mistake of only twenty- 

 five yards being sufficient to miss or only slightly cripple a 

 deer. And this velocity cannot be increased to any practi- 

 cal extent by bottling the shell, or by any method of rifling 

 or otherwise. 



Suppose a rod of lead of the same weight as the gun 

 taken as the projectile and -fired with a few grains of powder, 

 both gun and projectile being suspended by strings. At the 

 discharge they w r ould move in opposite directions at equal 

 rates of speed. Suppose, now, that the rod be cut off at 

 each discharge until it becomes a mere wad of lead. The 

 speed of the rod would constantly increase; that of the gun 

 constantly diminish. But a far more important effect than 

 this may be noticed, viz., that the shorter the projectile — 

 the rod of lead — the greater the amount of powder that can 

 be used in the gun with safety, and the greater the effect of 

 every increase of powder in raising the velocity of the pro- 

 jectile. You may see the same in a shotgun. Take a No. 

 12 gun and put in two ounces of shot. You will find that 

 the difference between three drams of powder and four 

 drams is perceptible mainly upon your shoulder and but 

 slightly upou the game, especially if the latter be something 

 tough, like a duck. But cut down your shot to one ouuee, 

 and the difference is at once changed from the rear to the 

 front. Now, put in an ounce of shot and you get still more 

 penetration— though of course more scattering— from the 

 same amount of powder, and get it, too, with still less re- 

 coil. And you can now increase the amount of powder 

 with safety and comfort, and also with more effect in in- 

 creasing penetration, 



Now if a gun were made long enough to burn all the 

 powder and allow the inertia of the shot to be fully over- 

 come, heavy enough to prevent loss of force by recoil while 

 the shot is getting under full headway, and also strong 

 enough to stand the strain while the shot is getting its fun 

 heaeiway, a very high velocity could be given three ounces 

 of shot in a 12-bore gun — high enough to shoot a duck 

 through and through. But such a gun could not be held to 



file shoulder by any ordinary man. Precisely the same 

 principle applies to' the rifled though in a less marked de- 

 gree. And I do not hesitate to say that no rifle that is light 

 enough and short enough for use, in the field can ever give a 

 respectable initial velocity to a projectile having five times 

 the weight of the round ball of the same caliber. And it 

 follows unavoidably that whatever velocity yon may giveby 

 increase of powder to the ball five times the weight of a 

 round ball will be greatly excelled by (he one four times the 

 weight of the round one, that one by the one three times the 

 weight, and so on down. And when you can make me be 

 lieve that as much penetration can be given two ounces of 

 shot as con be given to one ounce with the same powder 

 you cau make me believe that a 350 ball and 110 grains of 

 powder from & .45-caliber is perfection for 200 yards. Cut 

 off 100 grains of lead and add 40 more of powder, you get. 

 no more recoil, you get a great increase of velocity and con- 

 sequently a flatter trajectory. 



The question then arises will this have sufficient long- 

 range power aud penetration? If would retain its accuracy 

 to at least 400 yards, and lose but little up to 500. It might 

 not have quite enough peuetration for bear and buffalo, and 

 certainly would not if the ball were made expansive with a 

 large hole in it. But it would shoot the solid ball length- 

 wise through the largest (leer, and shoot through two deer 

 placed side by side. It is quite certain that good, long-range 

 power and good short-range efficiency cannot be combined 

 in any title light enough and short enougn to use in hunting 

 without change of bullets and. in most cases, change of 

 sights. The sooner this fact is recognized the better. And 

 I believe if to be equally impossible to combine a good grizzly 

 bear and buffalo rifle 'with a good deer and antelope rifle 

 without making the same change or increasing the caliber 

 and the weight of the gun. The sooner this fact is recog- 

 nized 'be better. 



I believe the most general understanding of the term "best 

 hunting rifle" to be about as follows: The rifle that in the 

 course of a year or more, will hit the greatest amount of 

 game and give its owner the least bother during that time. 

 My private preference is for one that will kill within sight 

 the largest amount of game actually struck. There are 

 many who side with me in this view\ though they may 

 differ as to the manner of attaining the proposed end. But 

 I believe the prevailing view to be the one that will hit the 

 most, no matter when or where the game dies, Such a rifle 

 must be: 



First— A repeater, and of the quickest action possible. 



Second — It must have the flattest possible trajectory for 

 200 yards. 



Third — It must retain sufficient accuracy at 400 yards. 



To have the flattest curve for 200 yards two things are in- 

 dispensable. 



First — High initial velocity; 2,000 feet a second if pos- 

 sible. 



Second — Sufficient actual weight in the ball to sustain 

 that velocity as far as possible against the resistance of the 

 air. 



. The round ball starts quicker than any other, but has no 

 staying power. The long-range ball has the staying power, 

 but starts too slowly so make the 200 yards in time. The 

 one is a quarter horse, the other a four-mite racer. Each 

 one is unfit for the other's task, yet each excels in his own 

 sphere. A compromise must be made between the two 

 powers. Where shall the line be drawn? The question is 

 not difficult to decide. One and one-half times the weight 

 of the round ball gives to a rifle of .50-caliber nearly all the 

 staying power that is needed for 200 yards; so does one and 

 three-quarteis to a .45-caliber, and twice the weight of round 

 ball to a .40-caliber. Any increase beyond these quantities 

 will, by decreasing the starting speed, destroy the effect of 

 the addifioual staying power, and increase the curve of the 

 path of the ball. Some increase may. however, be necessary 

 for accuracy at 400 yards. 



The shape of the head of the ball also makes a great dif- 

 ference in its staying powers. Such bullets as the Winches- 

 ter .73 are too fli t-headed for their weight. I believe, upon 

 the whole, that the following weights will lie found sufficient 

 for accuracy at 400 yards, and it is certain that the 200-yard 

 trajectory will bo straighter than can possibly be given by 

 any heavier ball: For .50-caliber, 300 grains; for .45-caliber, 

 250 grains; for .40-caliber, 200 grain*." 



To insure the accuracy at 400 yards, twenty-fit^ grains 

 might be added to each which would be sufficient except in 

 heavy winds where anything but a long-ranee ball is too 

 light 



Whether the penetration of these would be sufficient for 

 grizzly bears or buffalo I cannot say. But I know, that by 

 hardening the ball and sharpening its head, T can shoot any 

 of them lengthwise through the largest deer (unless heavy 

 bones be struck). In all cases let the powder he the very 

 best and the quickest that accuracy Will allow. 



In the case of a repeater the amount of powder may be 

 limited by the action, as is probably the case with the Win- 

 chester repeaters. But the shorter the bullet the more the 

 shell may be bottle-shaped without danger. It is difficult to 

 see why the barrel cannot be made thicker at the breech and 

 tapered toward the muzzle. Or perhaps the breech might 

 be reinforced with steel shrunk over it. Ninety grains of 

 powder would do very well in a .40 caliber, but*126 would 

 be so much better. 



There seems to be a foolish fear of a decent charge of 

 powder. Many a man will stand and shoot off-hand fifty 

 shots at a target with 70 grains of powder and 450 grains of 

 lead from a .45 rifle without a murmur, who would faint at 

 the idea of shooting a cartridge in which the powder was 

 doubled and the lead reduced one-half or more. Yet for 

 solid comfort and safety I would rather shoot one hundred 

 of the latter turn fifty of the former. Against this objection 

 to a decent powder charge it is useless to argue. 



It is said by others that a rifle will not burn so much pow- 

 der. Though a less proportionate amount may be burnt at 

 each increase of the charge a greater actual amount will be. 



A .40 caliber rifle will, with a round ball, show the effect 

 of every half inch of powder up to nearly five inches. With 

 fine strong powderl have seen the difference plainly, even after 

 the weight of the powder exceeded the weight of the ball. 

 By firing through screens and taking the line of the first two 

 bullet holes this may by easily tested. 



By some it is said "too much powder drives theball wild." 

 This is an old idea, and is doubtless true for some rifles. 

 But rifling can easily be made that will hold any ball to its 

 place. I know rifles fifty years old that are accurate under 

 any amount of powder. "When I used a muzzleloader I used 

 as high as five fingers of powder, and never less than four, 

 and never had any trouble with its accuracy. Increased 

 powder may require a change of sights, and in that sense 

 may drive the ball wild from any rifle. But if the rifling be 



