17, 1885.1 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



153 



loader either, and I must have a repeater." And now comes a wide and 

 wild bombardineiit of the "whole planation." Wild aninials af ter 

 the first volley neither sleep nor rest within about—yes a Uttleless 

 than— five miles around. All right, and then the game is so abundant, 

 you know, "can't load quicK enough." 



And now if you wish to shoot squirrels and the like with the muzzle- 

 loader, just slip in a small charge of powder, g-et a 50yds. pomt blank 

 and it will yet make a curve so flat that a hummiug bu-d cannot es- 

 cape its normal accuracy within 60yds. Here the round ball is the 

 best of all others, by Car. Beyond 80 or 100yds. use the conical ball, 

 for it is heavier and has more sustaining power and offers less air 

 resistance. The Uttlo round ball is nearly worthless after about 



1 will now present a correct plot, a new picture m fact, which goes 



the definition. Some five years ago it took me some time in your col- 

 umns to e.'-tablish the definition ; many believed it is made along the 

 lino of fire, and notaiong the line of sight; they were classed among 

 ••the straight shooters," and most of them now see their eri-or. 



You see that when the aim is on the center, and the center of the 

 bullet hits it, this constitutes a point blank shot, or, as they generally 

 say, "the bullet holds right up to the center." . 



in all practical shooting the barrel points above the object aimed 

 at and struck, it points "blank." we do not know where, unless pre- 

 viously computed. The average breechloader points above P B about 

 10.50 inches in a range of IWyds. and about 44 inches in aranaeol 

 SOOvds. Some of them point much higher than this and some lower. 

 You win see from the plot why a high curve indicates poor shooting, 

 and a flat curve good shooting. It is only within the last two years 



far to explain the plots under Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. bee them. I 

 cannot refrain from calling it a cross since it calls that figure to mina. 



Ea;pi«»iattons.— This plot is designed to show at a glance the spread 

 of the 11 shots both vertically and horizontally at lOOyds. It is full 

 size. The two straight lines at right angles pass through M, Fig. 4, the 

 bullet; holes being projected on these vertically or horizontally. Thus 

 is shown at a glance just how the bullets spread, and I believe your 

 readers will enjoy this plot very much. t, • 



Proof No. 8.— The vertical spread (even mcludmg No. 3 shot) is 

 simply magnificent, and the horizontal spread should naturally be 

 less than the vertical. Another trial or two in a day of calm will ac- 

 complish this doubt. How systematic the shooting is ! The result is 

 truly wonderful to me, and I thmk it will be to all who look upon 

 this beautiful plot. I cannot call it less than beautiful indeed. WeU, 

 the muzzleloader— a good one I mean— has always been regarded as 

 a wonder for its superb shooting qualities, and here among wonders 

 I must cut the matter off and proceed. 



Height of Trajectory.— Having eight times proven that the muzzle- 

 loader shoots the fight round bafi steady up to lOOyds., it now remains 

 only to prove that it makes the flattest of all rifle curves, under its 

 supei-ior powder force. From the beginning to the end of this trial 

 we have aimed to have everything as correct as passible. To do this 

 I will next present its approximate trajectoiy. I say approximate, 

 because the exact curve can never be constricted any more than w^e 

 can survey and present an exact plot of an acre of ground. But 

 with much ease in both cases we can arrive at very close approximate 



Fig. 4-a. 



that rifle shooters have begun to see iuto this very important matter- 

 For years and years it has been studiously concealed, but now, thank 

 God, through the efforts of but a few, and amid strong opposition in 

 some quarcers, the light of fact prevails and this is destined to effect 

 a complete revolution in the manufacture of rifles in this country, a 

 thing so long desired by old hunters everywhere. But I must not 

 tarry. 



New Definitions.—'^. P. B. means the Near Point Blank. 

 Near point blank is the first intersection of the line of sight by the 

 trajectory. 



Now see N P B in the Fig. and you will understand the definition. 

 Practically it means a center shot at 25yds., and this too, with the 

 same aim that makes another center shot to wit, the point blank shot 

 proper, at lOOyds. You now see why the rifle shoots exact near the 

 piece, and again a good way off. 



A definition for this important intersection is very much needed 

 (for many good reasons) and I hope all your rifle correspondents and 

 other writers on the rifle wiU use it when they can well do it, this will 

 bring it into pubUc notice, and finally into the nomenclature of scien- 

 tific as well as the practical shooting. 



Near point blank is always found to be near the muzzle, say withm 

 30yds. of it at most, so that the definition is a very proper one. The 

 very name of it will servo to invite inquiry as to its meaning, and an 

 explanation wfil lead to other questions, and so on until the first 

 principles of rifle ethics shaU be understood. All shooters should 

 understand the first principles of it. A very interesting and highly 



rifle in a mean curve of 17 shots misses the smallest object any- 

 where sN'ithin 12,5yds. With such a record can the muzzleloader die? 

 We do not beHeve it. 



Proof No. 10.— Aiming on the center (mark center) of a half-dollar 

 circle (diameter 1.20m.) at 115yds., it hits it for lOOyds. within this 

 range, and only missed it for the flist 10yds. 



Challenge.— i. It now being our right, we challenge any breech- 

 loader in the world, when using powder and bullet in the ratio of 1 to 

 1, to equal or beat this curve and yet to make with the same shots 

 as good a target at lOOyds. as is shown in Fig. 1 for 5 in 6 successive 

 shots. 



2. To equal or beat both of the same in the same trial while using 

 the store-flxed hunting ammunition and shootiiig the bullet from the 

 shell. 



3. To beat both of the same without any restriction except the bul- 

 let must be shot from the shell and not from the barrel in imitation 

 of the muzzleloader. 



4. To equal or beat both of the same without any restriction what- 

 ever. 



As full an exhibit of the trial as we make for the muzzleloader must 

 be made to substantiate any claim laid under this challenge, else not 

 entitled to a hearing. 



As a military weapon, the breechloader is splendid. 



To recapitulate.— At the muzzle, the rifle shoots 1.06in. too low. 



At 35yds. N.P.B. it makes a center. 



At 50yds. it shoots .42tn. too high. 



At 62>^yds. it shoots .51in. too high. 



At lOOyds. P.B. it makes another center. 



At 135yds. it shoots about .68in. too low. 



Now if this mean curve, the result of 17 careful shots, as well as of 

 computation, does not tell a very pleasing and instrnctive tale, then 

 is our gratuitous labor lost. We do not believe it or begin to believe 

 it— we believe it will be for many good reasons most happily received 

 (by most), and this wi'l be our rich reward. 



As to the muzzleloader, it tells its own tale. To us it is a pleasing 

 one, because this rifle is a very fine and steady shooter, therefore it 

 makes a splendid hunting rifle, and I would wish no better. 



Its performance is certainly worthy of imitation by the breech- 

 loader, and the result of this trial by the muzzleloader and round ball 

 are now placed on record for the breechloader to equal or beat it: 



1. In steadiness of shooting and a good target. 



2. In making a flat curve at the same time. 



3. In little recoil; this is very light in this rifle, even with the heav- 

 iest charge of powder, because its bullets are so light— round or con- 

 ical. 



These three essential qualities must combine in the same rifle in 

 order to make it a ' good all round" gun, and no one of much experi- 

 ence in hunting will pretend to deny this: and here I will drop the 

 subject for the present. Maj. H. W, Merrill. 



New York City. 



[There is evidently a mistake in computation of the four shots in 

 the second table.] 



RANGE AND GALLERY. 



Fig. 



results, and we believe .05 of an inch will cover the error m the height 

 of the curve in this case at 50yds. 



Explanation.— 'B denotes the buUseye. L F means the line of fire. 



Definition.— 'ihe fine of fire is the imaginary prolongation of the 

 axis of the bore. It indicates the pointing of the barrel, etc. LS 

 denotes the fine of sight, 1.37 is the distance between the axis of 

 bore and the fine of sight at the muzzle. The sights were telescopic, 

 and hence high. 1.185in. show the mean fafi of the 10 shots (No. 3 

 rejected) at lOOyds below the bufiseye. .05 shows the mean height of 

 the 7 seven shots above the line of sight at 50yds. See Fig. 3 for this. 

 As seen in the figure the height of the curve at S5yds. = .922in.; at 

 50yds., 1.37.; at 75yds., 1.03, b.s in the figure. 



The height of curve at .50yds. for 5 shots, Fig. l=1.33in ; the height 

 of curve at 50yds., 5 shots. Fig. 3=;1.23in; the average of these is 

 1.37in., which is the mean of the 10 shots at 100yds., ana of 7 shots at 

 60yds., total 17 shots, as in the plot. Time and space do not allow us 

 to fully explain this here, so we pass on. 



Proof 9.— The height of the mean trajectory is thus found to be 

 1.37in. at 50yds. This is an extremely flat curve, and it calls for a 

 higher velocity of ball than any we have an authentic account of 

 anywhere. Why should it not be so ? We presume it is the only test 

 of the kind ever made. It is certain that it this light ball received 

 the full powder force of 130 grains, its velociiy must base been ter- 

 rific. 



This extremely flat curve proves my proposition to be true on this 

 point, and this ends the matter. I found this to be so with the muz- 

 zleloader to my entire satisfaction forty-two years ago, for I then 

 found the round ball with a very heavy charge of powder made (con- 

 trary to my expectation) a little flatter curve up to lOOyds. than the 

 light "sugar loaf" shaped bullet. 



On the strength of my former practical experience I have based my 

 ^ronositions, and this careful test proves them to be true. Be it re- 

 membered my propositions were made as against the breechloaders, 

 which use a light powder charge, and comparatively a ponderous 

 bullet. This article points to the necessity of a complete revolution 

 in these respects. 



We will now present another very interesting and instructive plot. 

 It exhibits the same curve, but contirued up to 125yds., and it shows 

 how very close this rifle shoots for this distance. 



pr 



instructive chapter could be written on neai- point blank alone. It 

 presents some very nice points Indeed. 



New Definition.— Th& error of the rifle at any point of the range we 

 define to be the vertical distance of the trajectory, or center of the 

 bullet hole from the line of sight. Now see the Fie. and the definition 

 stands explained. At N P B, the near pomt blank, and again at P 

 B, the point blank proper, there is no theoretical or practical error 

 under the definition, because the same shot (and under the same aim) 

 makes a center at these two points, wlule at all other points in the 

 range there is an error either above or below, however great or min- 

 utely small it may be. Thus error refers to the curve or bullet hole 

 center. 



New Definition.— T^ie reduced error of the rifle at any point of the 

 range we define to be the vertical distance of the Inner edge of the 

 bullet or bufiet hole, from the hue of sight. See the Fig. 



Thus reduced error refers to the inner edge of the bullet or bullet 

 hole, and error to the curve or center of bullet hole. 



Point 1,— The highest point of the curve practically is so near mid" 

 range up to 200yds. that we may regard it to be there, and this is the 

 best distance at which to place the tissue-paper screen in finding the 

 height of a curve. 



2. The height of the curve must be measured from its base, and not 

 from the line of aim, as most rifle shooters believe. See Figs. 5 and 6. 



8. The distance in the range for the highest point of the curve above 

 the line of sight or aim and the highest point of the curve (above its 

 base) are never (or very rarely) the same. See Fig. 6, where, in this 

 case, they differ 13)^yds. 



4. The highest point of the curve above the line of sight is virtually 

 equi-distant from the two point blanks. See Fig. 6. 



5. Hence the strike of the bullet or the center of the bullet hole in 

 practice above the line of sight, or the center of the bullseye, does 

 not show the height of the curve at this point of the range as the ma- 

 jority of shooters now beheve. 



My diagrams 5 and 6 wfil make all these matters plain. These defi- 

 nitions and the plot will enable the beginner with the rifle— the boys 

 for whom we mostly writ*— to understand these things, as well as the 

 table of data we now present. This table forms a part of the history 

 in this matter, and to make it complete we present it. 



DATA 8H0WI.-JG THE ERRORS AND REDUCED EBKOBS. 



of Cu rue = 'f.i?'^ 



Fig. 6.— Mean Ctjrve of 17 Shots at 125 Yards. Vert. Scale, 14 inch = 1 inch, 



A Pom*.— All shooting is made along the fine of sight, and not 

 along the line of fire, L F, as all beginners in shooting and many old 

 hunters, too, believe. This plot will teach them better. It presents 

 the line of fire, L F, nearly in its true position, and it points above 

 the center at P B, a little more than 6.08 inches, say 6.20 inches prac- 

 tically, while the aim is at P B ; and yet the bullet hits the center, 

 P B, wliich you see is 6.23 inches below where the barrel points on 

 tlie target, and yet with this fall of the bullet from the line of fire, gee 

 how very flat the curve is, and, therefore, how very closely this rifle 

 shoots all along the line of sight for 13-5yds. This makes this plot 

 valuable, and the very close shooting pointed out in it will astonish 

 nearly every one; but so it is, and I have neitner space nor time to 

 explain it more fully. P B means point blank (proper). 



Definition.— 'SoivA blank means the second intersection of the line 

 Of sight by the trajectory. See the Fig. and you will understand 



Yards 



Error of rifle 



Semi-diameter of bafi 



Reduced errors. 



1.27 

 .31 



623^ 



.89 nearly. 

 .21 subtract. 



WORCESTER. Mass., Sept. 12.— To-day has been the annual field 

 day of the Worcester Division of the G. and Army of the Republic. 

 They met some 300 strong at Woodlawn Grove, Lake Quinngamond . 

 During the day there was a rifle shooting match, distance 200yds., 

 shooting off-hand. The scores were in the following order and the 

 score as follows: 



0. Devens Post No. 27, Oxford. 



O B Chaffee 53400—12 



G H Keith 22300— 7 



L E Thayer 23400— 8 



JE Nichols 00000- 



Samuel Francis 22-200- 6-f 



W^ard Post No. 10, Worcester. 



L Macomber 44333-17 



H W Pepper 43443 -18 



J B Wfilard 43313-16 



E R Shumway 44444—20 



L A Taylor 40344—15- 86 



Ammidon Post 168, South bridge. 



Fran k Jacobs 34043—14 



Theo Place 30003— 6 



Benj Dandridge .30000— 3 



Frank Hoflfner ,30000-^ 3 



Charles Lombard. .. .300.33— 9—85 

 G. A. Curtis Post No. 70. MiUbury. 

 A H Batchelor. ..... .42324—15 



S C Spooner 20040— 6 



S L Chapman 35434—17 



C Tyler 00304 - 7 



TTourtellotte 00203— 4—49 



Look at the plot and you will see only the reduced errors in it, the 

 lowest column in the table. At a glance you can see how little this 



8 10 7 10—91 



7 5 -8 9-84 



8 7 10 3-79 



WALNUT HILL, Mass., Sept. 12. — The promise of a fine day 

 brought out a large number of riflemen to the Saturday shoot at 

 Walnut Hill. The weather conditions were nearly perfect, and fine 

 shooting was done. The military match was opened and good shoot- 

 ing done by Messrs. Perkins, Bateman. Parker and others. Follow- 

 ing are the best scores of the day, aU at 200yds. : i 

 Practice Match. 



P W Perkms (mil) 4 55544555 5— 4'i' 



A Miller 5 55544555 4-47 



J B Howard 5 5 4 5 4 4 5 5 4 4-45 



E C B Erickson (mfi) 4 443 3 4555 5—42 



I P Horlon (mil) 4 53264444 3—38 



WiUiam T Hill (mil) .3 44345434 3-36 



Decimal Match. 



O M Jewell 7 8 10 9 8 10 9 9 9 8-87 



R Reed 9 5 10 10 8 10 10 6 9 6-83 



J B Fellows 978898 10 9 10' 5-83 



JR Missam 9 5 10 8 7 5 9 10 7 8-75 



Victory Medal Match. 



E r Richardson 8 10 8 10 10 10 



A J Again 10 10 6 10 8 " 



R Reed 9 7 9 8 10 



Rest Match. 



J N Frye 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10-99 



D L Chase 9 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10—98 



J Hm-d 9 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10-98 



C H Brown 9 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 9—97 



H Smith ....10 9 10 10 9 10 10 10 9 8-95 



BOSTON, Sept. 10.— There was a slim attendance at to-day's rifle 

 shoot at Walnut Hill, and the weather conditions were unfavorable. 

 Long range match opened with several competitors, but their scores 

 not being satisfactory, they w'ithdrew. The militia team which is to 

 shoot at Creedmoor was on the ground, and made a fair record as a 

 whole. The scores: 



800yds. 900yds. 1,000yds. 



J R Hittam 556455555554555 355455553444455 455453544444554-203 



S Wfider 555445443545555 555453455433564 05545555-3525655-197 



W Charles (mil).. 5045354444.56555 545555533530453 534433434505405—178 



Practice Match, 300yds. 



L Grant (mfl.) 4554555544--16 W Henry (mil) 4565444455 -45 



H H Bateman 5444454444-42 



Decimal Match, 200yds. 



J Francis (mil) 10 7 8 10 



R Duffer (mil) 10 5 9 10 



W H Oler (Mil) 9 4 8 8 



HAVERHILL, Mass.— Rifle Club at Riverside Range, Sept. 12, 200 

 yds., oif hand, Cieedmoor: 



^ Busfleld 4544464555-45 F Merrill .44£ 5543544— 43 



J F Bro wn 4545445554—45 J P M Green 4445444414—41 



E Brown 4544455454-44 L Jackson 4454544443—41 



J Forbes 5445444445—43 E Bray 4444444444—40 



THE TRAP. 



7 8 9 



7 10 7 



8 8 



8 8-84 



9 5-80 

 7 8-76 



Correspondents loho favor its with club scores are particularly re- 

 quested to write on one side of the paper oyily. 



NATIONAL GUN ASSOCIATION. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



About Aug. 8 Mr. H. W. Du Bray— elected General Manager, and 

 for which position he duly qualified by taking the oath of office- 

 sent his resignation to this office as such, without having accom- 

 plished aught for the benefit of the Association. 



Tha position was then tendered to Judge M. K. Freeman, of Macon, 

 Ga., with the suggestion that if he saw fit to accept he should desig- 

 nate two other Macon sportsmen who would serve as directors, so 

 that the three would form an executive committee of the Associa- 

 tion provided for in the constitution and by-laws. In reply the fol- 

 lowing letter was received: 



'•Macon, Ga., Aug. 81, 1885. 



"'Mr. J. E. Bloom, Cincinnati, O. .• 



"Dear Su-— Your esteemed favor of 26th before me, and in reply 

 would say, that while I am very much interested in the success of 

 the National Gun Association and would at all times render any as- 

 sistance in that du-eotion in my power, I fear the result attending my 

 assuming the position you refer to. 



"I can understand the apparent necessity for having the manage- 

 ment in the hands of persons entirely disconnected with the sale and 

 manufacture of supplies of every character used by the Association 

 in order to prevent any charge (groundless though it may be) from 

 being made that the Association is being rim in the interest of any 

 particidar manufacturer, also the removal of the main office from the 

 immediate centers of such manufactories for the same reason; but in 

 doing this would not the Association suffer a loss in the services of 

 good and true men who are connected with these various enterprises, 

 and would such a move prevent unscrupulous persons from malcing 

 such charges if such a change was made? I think not. 



"If the sportsmen of our country who are the consumers will only 

 put theu- shoulders to the wheel by joining our rank in mass we can 

 very soon remedy all defects and enact a code of laws with the assist- 

 ance of our egislators that will not only protect us in preserve privi- 



