162 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Sept. 17, 1885. 



MUZZLELOADERS TO THE PRONT.-I. 



130OBS. POWDER TO 130GRS. LEAD— RATIO 1 TO 1— BOUND BALL— IVONDER- 

 FUL TELOCITY— FLAT TRAJECTORY AND STEADY SHOOTING. 



Editor Forest and Stream,: 



In my previous articles in yoiir columns I have squarely asserted 

 that 



First- The muzzleloading hunting rifle will shoot more powder, 

 make a flatter curve, and at the same time shoot steadier than the 

 hunting breechloader when using its appropriate fixed ammunition, 

 and when the bullet is shot from tne shell. 



Second— That the round ball is the lightest bullet wnich can be shot 

 with accuracy from the rifle, and is therefore susceptible of the 

 greatest velocity, and of making the flattest curve of any bullet for 

 short ranges. Short ranges here include those beyond which it is 

 very unwise, as a rule, for the hunter to shoot at game animals, and 

 100yds. may be safely set down as the general iimit for success in 

 huntin.g large game, and 50yds. and under for small game. 



Third— That the corneal bullet of the muzzleloader is the next light- 

 est bullet, for the same caliber in use, and has its great merits also. 

 But in this article I will treat of the roimd ball only. 



While none of the breechloader supporters have,' to my knowledge, 

 squarely come out and denied niy propositions, yet none have come 

 forward and plainly acknowledged them to be true. In reply some 

 have resorted to low ridicule, which is the staple "argument" used 

 against the muzzleloader by this class of men. Sometimes they call 

 for "proof," when this is given they call it "theory," "science," 

 "mathematis," or "book larnin'." and "in which they "do not believe." 

 Hence comes up the question: Are my propositions true or false? Let 

 us examine and see. The truth shouid be known. 



Bifle Trial.— On Feb. 12, Mr, t>. J. Romer, a sound and honest 

 rifle expert, at my request made over his range at PeekskiU, N. Y., a 

 most careful trial test of a muzzleloading rifle, .43-cal. The main 

 object was to learn how it would shoot the round ball, weight 180grs., 

 with ISOgrs. of Hazard's PG rifle powder— ?•a^^o 1 1. 



Neither Mr. Romer nor myself had ever made this test, and we 

 could not say in advance just what the results would be, and I will 

 here add that this was the tu-st and only trial we have ever made 

 imder the same circumstancps with this load, so that the results 

 stand on their own bottom. Of course the targets for steadiness of 

 shooting may be much improved on a calm day, but we deem them 

 good enough as they stand in this article, and until they are beaten 

 by the breechloader tmder like circumstances of charge, 1 to 1, etc. 



Best.— A machine rest was used, the same for all the shots, and 

 after one sighting shot all the others were made in the same way. In 

 other words, no changes were made so as to bring the shots around 

 tbe center of the target, but only the group of shots was sought for. 

 A good telescopic sight was used (an excellent thing) to carefully 

 align the line of sight at the muzzle with the center of the screen at 

 50yds. and target center at 100yds. 



Measurements. — The measurements from the center of bullet holes 

 to the line of sight have been measured by us to .01 of an inch as 

 nearly as possible, and we hold the screen and targets on hand for 

 any one to inspect and verify who may wish to do so. We prefer, 

 and for good reasons, aUgaing on the line of sight ana then reducing 

 our work, as if aligning on the axis of bore. 



Shots Computed .—^SLCh shot has been individually computed to the 

 third decimal point, and the hundredths preserved in all cases; this 

 should always be done, especially where a mean curve is sought and 

 where accuracy is desirable. We present the results of this trial as 

 in every way reliable from beginning to end, nor have we designedly 

 concealed anything. The trial was one for our own private informa- 

 tion, but we deem the results so full of fact and mterest to the public 

 that we ought not to withhold them any longer. We hold the work 

 to be correct throughout, and fully believe no error of importance 

 can be found in it. We pronounce it authoritative not only for to- 

 day, hut for all future time. We are now prepared to enter upon the 

 work itself. 



The shooting was in three parts, as follows: 



First— Six consecutive shots at 100yds. and then an interval to re- 

 place the screens, etc. 



Second— Five consecutive shots at 100yds. and then an interval as 

 before. 



Third— Seven consecutive shots at the screen at 50yds. 



During the last two trials the wind, though not heavy, was gusty, 

 and it affected some oC the shots, as the target (Fig. 2) clearjy shows. 

 Previous to this trial we had found that shooting through a Screen of 

 orainary wrapping paper at 50yds. denected the ball a little, and thus 

 affected the target slightly at 100yds. This is the reason why the 

 shots at 50yds. were made separately from those at 100yds. That the 

 shooting at 50yds. was correctly made is proven by the curve itself. 

 It is aTbeauty and noc forced in any way .01 of an inch— the deci- 

 mals to the third degree ent?r into all the work, none are lost, nor any 

 added to square the work. 



Trial JVb. 1.— I will now present the restilts in the order of the 

 shooting, and by the aid of diagrams, everything can be seen at a 

 glance and comprehended. 



MEASUREMENTS IN INCHES FROM C, THE CENTRE OF CIRCLE. 



.lS-1 





<3- V\ 







•k 1 





M / 









M 















Fig. 1. 



Tabgbt at 100 Yards. Scale Full Size, 



Height op Mean Curve, 1.S32 Inches at 50 Yards, 



Explanations.— B represents the bullseye, and is the point where 

 the line of sight intersec s the diagram or target at right angles, m, 

 the mean center of the 5 shots, which is the size of a silver dollar. 



Shot No. 3 you will see is evidently not a normal one vertically ; 

 its evident true place is up among the other representative shots 

 within the parallelogram. Hence in getting the data for the true 

 fapproximate) height of the mean curve of the 17 shots, its fall is left 

 oiit, since to use it would lead to error in getting the true height of 

 the traiectory. The 5 shots under the ^igichiue (constant) pointing of 

 the rifle, average as seen in the plot 1.01 inches to the nght pi., and 

 1 094in. below B. With a correct elevation of the rifle, M.would have 

 been as high as B in the plot. From M the steadiness in shooting is 

 shown an d legitimately proven. ^ -r, ^ « 



Height of Curve.-The height of the mean curve at oOyds. for 

 these 5 shots is 1.2.32in. Of this more hereafter. 



Proof No. 1.— This diagram proves beyond the hope ot successtui 

 cavil, that the much-abused muzzleloader shoots the light round ball 

 with wonderful steadiness and great accuracy for 100yds., and this 

 too with a heavy powder charge and the lightest of all bullets (same 

 caliber) in the 'ratio of 1 tol. This fact now clearly demonstrated, 

 Drove my statements which were made to your readers before this 

 test was inade or even thought of by me, to be exactly true. Here 

 we could stop, the point is actually proven . , - ,w„ i„ 



I learned my facts in relation to the round and elongated outlets m 

 1843 in some experiments I then made at Fort Washita, in the Choc- 

 taw and Chickasaw Nation, adjoining Texas. As tacts never change 

 or die, they are the same now as forty-two years ago, and so they will 



And now for the "string." Let us see how it looks. The muzzle- 

 loader loves string measurements because it can shoot close. 



Measurem'ts. .90 . 80 1.70 .48 .87 .6 

 Five shots 90 . 80.... .48 . 87 .6 



String. 



5 37 

 3.67 



Remarks, 



.89 No. 3 abnormal 

 .73 5 normal shots. 



Thus the six shots average .89 of an inch from the center, while the 

 five normal shots average but .73 of an inch. Take your choice, it is 

 immaterial which. Measured from M instead of C, the give approxi- 

 mately the same results. 



Pi-oof No, 2. — When five out of the six shots hit the size of a silver 

 dollar at 100yds., with considerable space to spare at that, and when 

 the string and average is as small as shown above, this is again proof 

 positive that my propositions were and are true and not false, and 

 that I well knew what I was writing about when I made them. And 

 I think all I have hitherto written about the rifle (though not infalli- 

 ble in accuracy) is as true as my propositions and as susceptible of 

 positive proof. Perhaps a few might be benefited by looking my arti- 

 cles over. They well know who I mean. 



Beat It Who Can.— I offer this trial to any breechloader in the 

 world to equal or beat, (1) in steadiness of shooting, (2) in as flat a 

 mean curve and to be made with the same five successive shots at the 

 same time. This is to be done by using the fixed hunting ammunition 

 of our stores, and the bullets must be shot from the shell. 



Trial No. 2.-1 will now present the second test, made under 

 greater disadvantages than the first from a rise in the wind. 



Explanation.— I here present a correct plot of the 7 shots. L. S. 

 represents the trace of a horizontal plane, including the line of sight, 

 which cuts the diagram at right angles. B shows the position of the 



7 C 







Target op 7 



^l" fl ^ 1 



Full Size. 



I 7 y ' ) 



Fig. 3. 



Shots at 50 Yards. Scale 



bullseye 

 7 shots. 



on the aligned screen. M repre.sents the mean center of the 

 The average distance above the line of sight or bullseye is 

 .05 of an inch— the use of this decimal will appear here- 

 after in determining the mean height of trajector.v into 

 which it enters. The large circle represents a 25 cent 

 piece. 



Proof No. 4. When the size of a 25-cent piece at 50yds. 

 is struck by 7 successive shots and its center knocked 

 out, this is proof positive (against all ridicule) that the 

 ever true muzzleloader shoots with wonderful steadi- 

 ness, and this too with a heavy load of powder — in ratio 

 1 to 1. Thus my propositions are again proven to be 

 true; and this trial was made with gusty wind at that; 

 flags were used but no wind gauge; the rifle remained 

 unchanged from its 100yds. position. Mr. Romerstopped 

 shooting after 7 shots. 



Modern disbelievers ridicule the idea of the old-time 

 shooters with the muzzleloader, taking off the heads of 

 squirrels 8, 10 or 12 times in succession. These are gen- 

 erally shot at about 35yds. This target will serve, I 

 hope, to teach them a wholesome lesson. Now let them 

 repent of their unbelief. From this hasty example of a 

 target, they can see how then uzzleloader shoots. Next 

 let us produce the string: 



MEASUREMENTS FROM M TO THE CENTER OF THE BALL 

 HOLES. 



50yds., 7 shots 



1 



2 



3 



4 



5 



6 





Stri'g 



Av 



Measurements 



.42 



.49 



.60 



.30 



.37 



.45 



.48 



3 39 



.48 



Fig. 2. , 



Target at 100 Yards, 5 Shots. Vert. Sec, Full Size; Horiz. Sec, 

 Height of Mean Curve at 50 Yards, 1.83 Inches. 



Explanations.— B denotes the bullseye, M the mean center of the 

 5 consecutive shots; it is 1.282 inches lower than B because the rifle 

 was not sighted point blank, and .6(3 of an inch to the right of it. See 

 Fig. C represents the center of the large circle which we have 

 drawn. The 3 parallel Unes at the bottom of Fig. show how very 

 steady vertically 4 of the bullets went. It is plainly evident from the 

 plot that shot No. 4 should be down among the others. The charge 

 was probably a little defective, or a gust of headwind may have 

 caused it. 



P)-oof 5.— Thus this string, 3.39in., and the average 

 .48in., 'again proves the muzzleloader with the round 

 ball to shoot as before stated, and that my propositions 

 are true. Then let the facts be openly confessed and 

 "let a clean breast be made of it." Look upon the plot; 

 ask yourself what chance a squirrel's head has among 

 ■Hatp St7f these shots, and it may strengthen you in making the 

 , haijx gQQfQggiQu Can the breechloader ever hope to beat this 



shooting and yet make as flat a curve? I more than 

 fear never! never! Until it is squarely done please to 

 cease ridiculhig the muzzleloader and the telling Uttle round ball, 

 none has ever equalled it for short ranges in close shooting day in 

 and day out. 



Trials iVo.s. 1 and 2 combined, lOOjrds.— I will next present a correct 

 plot of trial Nos. 1 and 2, at lOOyds. The main object of this is to 

 show the 11 shots in one group, also to find M. the mean center of all 

 the shots in order to use it in finding the height of the mean curve 

 for 17 shots. 



Explanations.— B denotes the h\i\\seye,M the mean center of im- 



Fig. 4-. 



Target of 11 Successive Shots at 100 Yards. Height of Mbaij Curve at 50 Yards, 1.27 Inches. 



4 Poirt<.— A rifle naturally shoots more steady horizontally than 

 vertically, because in the latter case more causes combine to scatter 

 the bullets. Among these are hoUowness and variations m size of the 

 buUets, change in powder charge, Hght, dirty barrels, etc. These 

 causes affect the velocity of the ball, and this tends to a vertical 

 spread of them on the target. The main cause of horizontal spread 

 is the wind, and a constant aim, as in this case, cannot prevent it. 

 The plot shows this effect quite strikingly in the horizontal spread ot 

 the bullets; this spread is evilentally not natural. 



Proof No. 3.— Thus 4 of the shots differ in then- fall or vertical 

 spread less than the diameter of the ball. .42 of an Inch. Proof -the 

 centers ot shots Nos. 1 and 5 are embraced by the upper and lower 

 lines of the parallelogram, and the middle line H K cuts aU the bul- 

 let holes. Thus is our proposition in reference to the round ball (so 

 often sneered at) again proven to be true, and this too, while shooting 

 powder and lead in the ratio of 1 to 1. Equal or beat this shooting 

 who can with the breechloader and yet make as flat a curve. Next 

 comes the string. 



MEAStTREMENTS FROM C, THE CENTER OF CIRCLE, 





1 



2 



3 



4 



5 



String. 



Average. 





2.63 



1.73 



1.08 



.63 



3.63 



8.68 



1;73 





1 



3 



8 



4 





5.87 



1.47 



These measurements are made from a plot, full size, a,nd are correct- 

 We have no apologies to make for this strmg, the wind, as the plot 

 shows, mainly caused the horizontal spread. ^„ , „ 



Trial No. 3.- 1 now present the next trial at SOyds., 7 consecutive 

 shots. 



MEASUREMENTS FOB VERTICAL DATA FROM THE LINE OF SIGHT. 



pact, C the center of a dollar cu-cle, L S is already explained. 

 Thus 7 shots out of 11 cut the dollar circle at lOOyds. ; 3 are driven a 

 littie way off by wind and 1 is a little low from a defective charge I 



Proof No. 6.— The 7 normal shots furnish conclusive proof that the 

 muzzleloader shoots steady, as before stated, at lOOyds. with powder 

 and ball in ratio as 1 to 1. And this again proves my former propo- 

 sition to be true. 10 of the 11 shots fall within the size of a squirrel, 

 and 7 would hit the size of his head. Tell me then what chance a 

 squirrel or his head has within lOOyds. when a good muzzleloader is 

 used? Ans. His body virtually none, and his head but little. I ain 

 speaking of its normal or steady natural shooting. Ordinary practical 

 results will not accomphsh this of course. Next pass to the string. 



MEASUREMENTS FROM C. THE CENTER OF A DOLLAR CIRCLE. 





1 



3 



4 



5 



6 



9 



10 



String. 



Average. 



Measurements. 



.94 



.81 



.36 



.87 



.54 



.84 



.81 



5.17 



„f. ( normal 

 ■^^ f shots. 



7 Shots 



1 



2 



3 



4 



5 



6 



7 





Measurements . . 

 Measurements . . 



.11 



*;38 



.68 



.33 





 



.609 



".sh 



Above L.S. Sum 1.10 

 Below L.S. Sum .76 



The average of the 11 shots is 1.20in. But the average of the 7 nor- 

 mal shots is .75in. Either is good enough for one trial, so take your 

 choice, you who do not believe in either the muzzleloader or round 



Challenge. 1.— Now, as a stimulant to action, I add, let any one in 

 the world who can, beat this shooting with a breechloader and yet 

 make as flat a curve at the same time, and this while shooting the 

 store fixed ammunition from the sheU. 



2 And beat. If 5'ou can, In target and curve, while shootmg powder 

 and lead in the ratio of 1 to 1— the trial work to be as full as I give for 

 the muzzleloader. If this show is ever beaten we will try again. 



Proof No. 7.— Thus the strings and averages of the combined shots 

 again prove that the muzzleloader with a round ball shoots magnifi- 

 cently at lOOyds., and this too with powder and lead in the ratio of 1 

 to 1. No breechloader has ever done this and yet made so flat a 

 curve, so that my propositions stand true and not false. 



Beauty of it.- Now slip the hand into the other pocket and take out 

 the light conical bullet, press it in a moment smoothly down the same 

 barrel and you are prepared to shoot accurately up to 200vds. and 

 over and this is lOOyds. too far to shoot at game, unless it is actually 

 necessary to do so; and when you have shot your bullets aU a,way, 

 then go to camp or home, take down your wood or "iron ladle, and 

 cast all you want, and so sleep soundly. "But Oh 1" says some one, * I 

 can't shoot the muzzleloader quick enough, nor the single breech- 



