Deo. 15, 18B4.1 
FOREST ANt) STREAM. 
The Effect of the Wadding Material Upon the 
Performance of Shotguns. 
BY ARMIN TENNER. 
Superintendent American Testing Institution. 
COoncluded from Page 1,82.) 
TWe give the conclusions made by Mr. Tenner from his extended 
testB.] 
Two points have. I think, been settled pretty conclusively by this 
time. The figures obtained thus far demonstrate that it is not advis- 
able to use a larger wad of any kind of material in a 13-bore gun than 
the regular 12ga. Guns with a close bore seem to do much better ser- 
vice with the latter size than with either 10 or llga wads. The second 
fact established is this: While the cork composition wads are very 
uniform, leave the gun barrel perfectly sound, and would thus war- 
rant the expectation that they ought to prove superior to the various 
kinds of felt wads, the tests have not shown this to be the case. Cork 
wads may be preferable to poor felt wadding, but they do not seem to 
give bettet or even as good results as the superior qualities of felt 
wads. 
The same wadding material andpowdtr and shot charges produce 
different results in the various shells. From the results thus far ob- 
tained it would seem that the primer plays even a more important 
factor toward the behavior of the nitro powders than the wadding 
material. It is clearly shown that all smokeless powders give the best 
service with the U. M. 0. No. 3 primer, as used in the smokeless, 
lightning and trap shells, and this both in regard to penetration and 
pattern. As a rule it produces the most uniform results; it gives the 
highest penetration throughout. It secures quick ignition and a 
pretty thorough combustion of the various nitros. It is not equaled 
in this respect by any other American primer, and is unsurpassed by 
any foreign igniting agent. 
A thorough combustion not only assures the best possible penetra- 
tion, it also diminishes greatly the tendency of nitro powders to cor- 
rode the gun barrel, which is largely due to the gases resulting from 
only partially burnt powders. 
The smokeless shell has, in the course of the test, shown another 
valuable feature: It is far Jess affected by moisture than other paper 
shells. While I do not, in principle, believe in and advocate the doc- 
trine that our sportsmen should use American articles of manufac- 
ture simply because they are home productions, I do think and be- 
lieve, on the other hand, that we should always then prefer American 
goods to foreign, whenever the former compare favorably with the 
latter. This is the case with the smokeless shell. Many of the im- 
ported shells are inferior to it, and none of them excel it. 
From the values thus far quoted it appears that the black powder 
did not compare favorably with some of the nitro powder loads. The 
latter proved superior in point of penetration and pattern. This is 
certainly contrary lo all expectations, and in order to meet the ob- 
jection that I Bhould not have confined myself to one particular make 
of black powder, I concluded to try next, also, some other popular 
black powders. 
While the several black powder loads produced fair averages of 
both pattern and penetration, the results are far from being remark- 
ably good. The values obtained do not compare with the best values 
secured from the various nitro powder loads. I still have to find a 
black powder in this country which is superior in pattern, penetration 
and regularity to the better nitro powders, loaded in suitable 
shells and properly wadded. It is a general belief that the best aver- 
age patterns are obtained with the service charges of the propelling 
agents, and that every increase of the powder charge is followed with 
a less satisfactory pattern. This rule does not seem to apply to every 
case, and low velocities do not, by any means, always mean compara- 
tive high patterns. 
Greener says in his Modern Shotguns, ' Velocity is the test of shoot- 
ing. Velocity generally means a good pattern, and a good pattern at 
long range is convertible with velocity ; penetration is velocity." I 
cannot agree with Mr. Greener in the full sense of the paragraph 
quoted. Whenever a certain limit of velocity is overreaebed, every 
increase of velocity beyond such a limit is generally followed by a 
reduced pattern. But it would appear from the results of the test as 
previously recorded and those to follow that with many powders the 
limit of the best pattern has not been approached with the service 
charge, and this particularly when chokebore barrels are employed. 
It will be noticed that the velocities of all nitro powders obtained with 
the U. M. 0. No. 3. primer are higher than those produced with the 
other primers, and the same loads of powder and the same wadding 
and shot charges. Yet, as a rule, the pattern of the No. 3 primer are 
higher than those of the other shells. 
Black powder, too. gives good pattern with increased charges. 
In some cases the cardboard wad, employed instead of the nitro 
cardboard wad, did even better than the latter. In rainy weather or 
when the air is richly saturated with humidity, or in cold weather, 
nitro powders develop diminished velocities; some only to a small 
others to a larger extent, according to their respective susceptibility 
to moisture. Black powder is less affected by these agents than any 
of the nitros. 
Reference has been made to a claim presented by the Winchester 
Co. in regard to its bine cardboard wad. It is alleged that this wad, 
owing, I presume, to its high degree of cohesive quality, will prevent 
the other wads employed in the same shell from being blown to pieces 
by the gases generated by the powder charge. This claim is founded, 
it seems, upon an utterly erroneous premise. The gases generated by 
the powder charge are not developed suddenly; if they were, we 
would not be reckoning with an explosion, but with a detonation. 
The gases were developed gradually, although in a very minute time. 
It can fairly be presumed that the powder gases are the sole cause 
for damaged wads. Any material such as cardboard, leather, or tar- 
board or tar-paper, less porous than felt will protect the felt wad 
sufficiently against the effect of the powder gases if inserted between 
the powder cbarge and the felt wadding. 
Effect of Suction on Wads. 
The wad may come to grief ako from other causes. Thus, fnr 
instance, the shot charge appears to act as a suction when traveling 
through the barrel Although it appears contrary to theory, there 
can be little doubt that a sort of a vacuum is created in the barrel; 
first by the shot column and secondly by the latter and the wadding. 
If it were correct, that the powder gases must be regarded as the only 
cause for datnBged wads, it would hardly be possible for any material 
to resist this very powerful force, no matter how good the cohesive 
quality of the wad might be. Now, as a matter of fact, those wads 
are generally stretched or blown to pieces which are made out of a 
material wanting in cohesive qualities— such wads as one can pull in 
two between the thumbs and toreflngers of both hands. Among the 
wads experimented with were several of this kind The V. L & D 
elastic brown felt wad, their paper filler wad, the Winchester nitro gun 
wad, and, to a smaller extent, the U. M. C. salmon cushion and the 
second quality of V. L. & D. express wads. A large percentage of the 
three flr=t kinds were gathered in a more or less damaged condition - 
a smaller percentage of the two latter showed also traces of damage.' 
The majority of these wads were stretched to twice their normal 
length and more. If the gases had caused this, it would be difficult to 
explain how it was brought about. But it was probably the suction 
of the shot charge that did it, I am not aware that this theory has 
been offered by any one else, and before this. 
I, too, hesitated quite a while before I concluded to make the asser- 
tion in question. To determine if my belief rested upon a sound 
basis, I made various tests on that line. They all proved that I have 
good warrant that in this instance, like in many others, theory does 
not agree with practice. The shrinkiug of fired paper shells in the 
cartridge chamber is another proof for my assertion, but not the 
most conclusive one. I consider my experience with the base wad as 
employed in the Walsrode shell, for instance, the best and most unim- 
peachable evidence in support of my claim. These base wads are put 
into the shell for the purpose of reducing the latter's volume. In 
several instances manufacturers of shells neglected to secure these 
hard base wads sufficiently fast to the shell's base. Now. what was 
the result? In many cases these base wads follow the sbot'charge up 
in the barrel. More than this, various gun barrels were actually 
bulged by these base wads at the choke. The base wads were drawn 
after the load with such force that they approached the choke of the 
barrel with sufficient power to cause a bulge in soft Damascus barrels. 
Now, these wads have their place behind or beneath the powder 
charge. By what other agent could they have been forced out of the 
shell and driven into the choke with sufficient power to do damage to 
the barrel? It is chiefly the suction that causes wads to stretch or to 
be in two, the effect of the powder gases are not responsible for it if 
they do not come in direct contact with the felt. This very fact has 
prompted shell manufacturers to secure these base wads well to the 
base. J ustice commands me to say here that I never experienced this 
phenomena with the U. M, 0. Walsrode shell nor the German Walsrode 
shell. I think I have thus shown that the shot charge very likely acts 
as a suction. Therefore, no kind of wad placed over the powder 
charge can or will prevent inferior wadding material from being dis- 
figured through the agency of suction. It is the suction that causes 
wads to leave the gun barrel in a damaged condition; the effect of the 
powder gases appears to have nothing to do with it. 
Wads and Leading. 
Various wads again are labeled to prevent the leading of gun bar- 
rels This is another deception. I fail to see how a wad can prevent 
tae leading of gun barrels Shooters should not permit themselves to 
be deceived in such a way. The lead deposited in the gun barrel can 
very readily be removed. Blue ointment applied with a rag will do it 
effectually. Do not use any sort of wire brushes for removing the 
lead deposited in gun barrels. They are all liable to scratch the bar- 
rel. I caution against the use of all such brushes; they do more harm 
than good. I tried severai kinds of these wire brushes and invariably 
scratched the bore sooner or later. 
The mercury contained in the blue ointment will dissolve the lead. 
In case the salve proveB too weak use pure mercury. Place a cork in 
the muzzle of the barrel, then pour into the barrel, from the breech 
end, about two ounces of mercury; cork up the breech and let the 
quicksilver travel slowly up and down the barrel, turning the latter 
around at the same time. Gather the mercury and keep it for future 
similar purposes. It can he used over and over again. It will do its 
work as well in the rifle as in the shotgun. After the lead has been 
dissolved clean the barrel with a clean, dry rag, 
Hang fires have been common with the Victor, Blue Rival, Climax 
and Nitro Club shells in connection with Schultze, E C and American 
Wood powders, and the service charges of powder. These defects are 
less marked when heavier charges of powder are employed, but the 
velocities are always below the values obtained with the Smokeless 
shell and the same load otherwise. The same shells, of course, de- 
velop a similar result with Walsrode powder, and even the Rapid does 
not appear to suit the latter. Heavy hang fires were experienced with 
it and Walsrode powder, and in several instances the base of the shell 
showed, after firing, traces of damage, Attention has previously been 
called to the fact that all weak primers display a marked tendency to 
corrode the gun barrel and breech of the gun. The reason for this 
may be explained as follows: Whenever the combustion of a nitro 
powder charge in a gnu barrel is imperfect— and such is generally the 
case with weak primers— the powder charge will develop a compara- 
tive low pressure. Low pressurs or imperfect combustion create 
peroxide of nitrogen, and when the latter combine* with the oxygen 
of the air, or moisture, nitric acid i3 formed, which must be looked 
upon as a very strong acid, and as one liable to corrode iron or steel 
very readily and badly. When, on the other hand, a thorough com- 
bustion of the powder charge is brought about, such as secured with 
the U.M.C. No. 3 primer for instance, ammonia is developed instead of 
peroxide. 
It may seem strange to the reader that in many cases nearly or the 
same loads are repeated. This was necessitated by the various con- 
ditions under which the several loads were fired. The test was made 
during warm, dry, rainy and cooler weather. E?ery climatic change 
is followed hy a different behavior of the powders. In order to do ail 
Eowders justice, to treat them all alike, in various cases the same load 
ad to be fired again to serve as a s;andard of comparison for the 
others under similar conditions. This explains again why the same 
load shows variations in velocity and pressure. They are natural and 
cannot be overcome. 
Load 131— 33gr. Wals. pwd. in U.M.C Wals. shell, 1 V. L. & D. Hur- 
lingham express, l^oz. shot; v. 1027ft. sec, great, diff, 47ft. sec, gpr. 
88301bs., great, diff. 3601bs. 
Bat. Pellets. Pat. Pellets. 
1 (U) 242-great. diff 43 4 (6) 224-great. diff 49 
2 (9)265 " ■» 24 5 (8) 236 " " .... 44 
3 (8) 238 " " 42 
To demonstrate to the reader how largely propelling agents are 
affected by climatic influences, I beg to ask him to look up the veloc- 
ities obtained under normal temperature and a normal percentage of 
humidity in the air. Here is only one illustration: 3 drams E.C. pow- 
der developed under normal conditions, an average velocity of 970ft. 
sec Let us compare these values with those obtained when the 
atmosphere showed 90 per cent, humidity. 
Load 132-3 drms. E C. pwd, i.i smokl. shell, 1 trap, 1 U.M.C Hin. 
pink edge, 1 blk. edge wads (Nov. 5, therm. 50 degrees, barom. 29 45 
humid. 90 per cent.); v. 870ft. sec. or a loss of 100ft. sec. 
On the same day 3 drams of E C. powder, with l^goz. of shot, devel- 
oped a velocity of 915ft. sec , and with 3M drani3 of E C. powder and 
l ] 4oz. of shot an average velocity of 961ft. sec. was secured. 
Length of Shell. 
The smokeless shell actually measures 2 9-10in., while the Rapid 25/( n 
shell is actually 2 21-32in. long. The English standard shell length is 
2 9-I6in.; the standard German shell 65 millimeters, or about 2 9 16in • 
Some German shells measure only 2>^in. It is very seldom that longt r 
shells than the standards are used in England or Germany. A 2Hm 
shell is considered in both of these countries still a suitable shell,' cut 
when it comes to 3in. shells they are looked upon as the hobby of 
cranks, and I must confess that I have never found an excuse for 
going so far in the length of a shotgun shell. Quite a number of our 
best known trap shots employ a 3in. shell, some even a 3J4in shell 
Their object is to secure thereby a greater killing force. Is tnis really 
the case? Unless the chronograph is unreliable, unless twice two 
make more than four, it is certainly not the case. I have still to find a 
3in. shell which will give a better pattern and a higher penetration 
than a 2%in. shell with the same powder and shot charges. Greener 
with whom I differ on many points advanced by him in relation to bal- 
listic laws, is coming very near the truth when he says: "The 12-bore 
gun is not made a more powerful weapon by lengthening the 
chambers and using a cartridge case more than 2%[in. in length. Even 
with the 2-5sin. case a charge of 50grs. of Schultze or E C powder may 
be pressed in, and with the full complement of wads and H-joz. of shot 
Will be found to give as good results as any obtainable' with larger 
charges of this gauge. Oases 3in. in length have nothing to recom- 
mend them, and guns constructed for them require great attention or 
they will not shoot at all regularly." 
I have arrived at the same conclusion, and I am by no means basing 
my opinion on theory alone. My three- barrel gun is chambered for 
instance, for a 2%in. shell, although I have used it. and it was origi- 
nally intended, for large game shooting. I have never found it to fail 
me when I used it on big game at a reasonable distance. 
My friend Elliott uses, as I am informed, a 3J4tn. case. I an further 
informed that he shoots 3J4drs. E.C. in a 3J4in. Leader shell The 
Leader has the same primer as the Blue Rival. The velocity he ob- 
tains with 3J4drs. E.C. powder and lj^oz. of shot is not greater than 
I can secure with 3J4drs. powder in a 2%m. shell. Yet Mr. Elliott 
has scored 100 pigeons straight. This proves that pigeons can be killed 
with a fair velocity. But I do not wish to destroy Mr. Elliott's or any 
one else's delusion on this point; nor do I intend or hope to convince 
them that they can accomplish the same result with a shorter shell 
for I know too well that "a man convinced against his will will be of 
the same opinion still." A certain class of our trap-shooters are to 
use a common expression, stuck on preposterously heavy powder 
charges. Some of them use 3^drs. E.C, Schultze or Wood powder 
and some even 4drs. and more. Most of them are very familiar with 
the method of loading these powders so as to guard against excessive 
pressures and danger. They employ especially soft wadding, which 
naturally diminishes the tension in a gun barrel. But their example 
is, nevertheless, a bad one. Many shooters who are less skilled in 
loading shells may imitate these heavy loads, they may use less sub- 
stantially built guns, and then a source of danger is certainly created 
If all the energy stored in such a heavy powder charge is really de- 
veloped, an exceedingly high pressure follows; the recoil will be dis- 
agreeably heavy, the pattern wild. But it frequently occurs that with 
such heavy powder charges the velocity is lower than that produced 
by a lighter charge. Why is such possible? A larger powder charge 
produces an increased pressure in the rear part of the shell, whereby 
the foremost part of the charge is pressed together, or rather pressed 
against the wadding in the shape of a pin (see Prof. Hebler "The 
Minimum Caliber, or the Infantry Weapon of the Future, 2d vol p 
102,), and leaves the gun barrel uuconsumed, or is burned at the 
moment of leaving the muzzle and coming in contact with the atmos- 
pheric air. In other words a large portion of the powder charge is in 
such a ease not utilized. It is not transformed into gases in the bar- 
rel at the proper place and time. 
This phenomenon is not only confined to the shotgui; it i3 also ex- 
perienced in the rifle, although here the time between pulling the trig- 
ger and the moment the shot quits the muzzle is longer than with the 
shotgun. 
For similar reason I do not agree with those who recommend the 
powder charge of being pressed down into the shall with ordinary 
force. With some powders the velocity can be reduced considerably 
by compressing the powder charge too much. A good propelling 
agent should and will give the best result if the wad is simply brought 
home with a moderate pressure on the powder charge. It is a faulty 
feature of the powder if excessive pressure is required or every pres- 
sure is to be avoided . 
Balling of Shot. 
I think that to a great extent the balling of shot is created in con- 
sequence of an unusual quick combustion of the powder charge The 
gases are developed so rapidly that the shot column is pushed for- 
ward very violently, and that in spite of the best wadding the rear 
portion of the shot charge is wedged into the foremost part. The boat 
has hardly anything to do with the balling. 
Climatic Influences. 
The several powders and loads developed different velocities and gas 
pressures on one day and occasion than another. This is as previ- 
ously said, principally due to climatic influences. To place all pow- 
ders on an equal footing, it is necessary that at certain intervals they 
should be tested under precisely alike conditions. Although such has 
been the policy throughout the trial, I have, nevertheless, considered 
it advisable to test powders and shells for velocity and pressure only 
whenever the temperature showed abnormal conditions. Such was 
the case on Nov. 5. On that day the thermometer registered 50° the 
barometer 29.5, the hygrometer 90 per cent, humidity, A few 0/ the 
values obtained on that day have previously been recorded, and are 
found under load 133. But to make the list complete, they will be here 
repeated: 
3 drms. E C. pwd.. smokl. shell, 1 trap, VWn. pink-edge 
wad, 1 blk. edge wad, lig oz. shot 870 ft. sec. 
3J4 drms. E.C. pwd , 134 oz. shot, same shell 961 " 
8J4 drms. E.C. pwd , 1 oz. shot , , 1010 " 
3>6 drms. E.C. pwd., l)^ oz. shot ' 1026 " 
3}^ drms. E.C. pwd.. 1J4 oz. shot. . ' 1015 *' 
60 grs. E.C. pwd., 1J4 oz. shot 1065 " 
60 grs. Schultze pwd., 1J4 oz. shot ..!.....' 1090 " 
3J^drms Schultze pwd., 1)4 oz. shot 1018 " 
3>6 drms. Am. Wood pwd., 1J4 oz. shot... ' 1020 " 
60 grs. Am. Wood pwd., lJ4?z. shot ".".'.".V.".'.'.".1154 " 
(In the last case the gas pressure was verv high— 11420 lbs ) 
3J4 drms. DP. smokl. pwd., 1)4 oz. shot 1012 " 
33 grs. Wals. pwd.. 1J4 oz. shot ' ;i0l8 " 
50 grs. E.C. pwd., trap shell, Fuieord's 1., 1U oz. shot , '. , . .' 1090 " 
The Fulford load is contained in a 2J4 in. shell. 
Normal Wadding vs. Soft Wadding. 
The experiments have demonstrated the fact that some propelling 
agents are less susceptible to the wadding material than others, and 
that the various powders are differently affected by soft and dry wad- 
ding. In order to enable the reader to make a more precise compari- 
son than he can on the large numbers of figures quoted on this very 
point, and to show at the same time how the several powders react 
toward increased charges, I conducted a special test on Nov. 15. when 
the thermometer registered 51° P., the barometer 30,30, the hygrometer 
68 per cent, humidity, for the purpose referred to. 
To my knowledge, similar tests have never been carried out on the 
same line and scale anywhere, and I do not care to repeat them at an 
early day. My target has been partially ruined thi ough balling of the 
shot, which was especially marked with the double charge of E. O. 
powder, although this powder very rarely balls the shot; and my 
pressure gun came very nearly to grief with the double charge of 
American wood powder. It may be presumed that neither the double 
cbarge of E. C. or Schultze powder were fully tranformed into gases. 
A portion of the charge of these two powders evidently left the muz- 
zle unburned. Tha American wood powder was the last of a 5-p.jund 
cannister. mostly fine grained; hence the excessive pressure. 
Von Forster and Plastomenite powders proved also less violent 
than black powder. Piastomenite showed a very low degree of vio- 
lence. It is safe to assume that uo gun will be damaged with this 
powder under normal conditions. I doubted it, even a year ago only, 
that a nitro powder could ever be produced which would be less sus- 
ceptible to increased charges than the old reliable black. The experi- 
ments show that I was wrong. There is less danger from overcharges 
also with the other powders than generally supposed. It is quite a 
task, for instance, to load a shell with E, C, powder to a dangerous 
extent. But I must caution against the common shells— such as Cli- 
max, Blue Rival and Nitro Club— in connection with Walsrode or 
Leonard powder, as overloading is easily accomplished. If cheap 
shells are to be employed, the shooter should buy them loaded. The 
ammunition manufacturers and large dealers are equipped with good 
loading apparatus and machines. They guard against overcharges, 
and can avoid them successfully. The individual shooter cannot. Do 
not rely on your most trusted servant to load your high grade ammu- 
nition. They are human and liable to err. There ia very litcle danger, 
if you procure your loaded ammunition from a reliable manufacturer 
of ammunition or large dealer. They load all smokeless powders well; 
better than they can be procured anywhere in the world. It will be 
seen that some powders give a higher velocity with soft, dry wadding 
than with normal wadding. As a rule, however, the regular wadding 
gives the '?est results. In very rare instances does the velocity keep 
step with the increase of bursting strain, when heavy charges of pow- 
ders are employed. It is quite satisfactory to note that nitro powders 
can be made which may be considered safe. 
With the remarks about the use of cheap shells for high-grade pow- 
ders, I do not wish to convey the impression that such powders are 
particularly daugerous They are not more daugerous than some 
others, if properly loaded and employed. But the individual sports- 
man should for safety sake and to guard against severe charges, use 
for them the special shell, t. e„ a shell provided with a base wad, 
which serves to bring the bulk of the charge in the shell of the level 
of the charge of other powders, such as can be loaded bulk for bulk 
with black powders. We have already seen how the several lengths 
of shells influence the performance of shotguns. 
The Top Wad. 
Top wads should be light and composed of soft, preferably brittle 
material. They should either break before quitting the muzzle or fly 
to the side or drop to the ground not far distant from the muzzle. In 
England experiments have recently been made with different kinds of 
top wads. It has been asserted there that the best results are ob- 
tained when the cardboard top wad is cut diagonal in two. This 
claim has also been made in this country, and I concluded therefore 
to carry out some experiments also on that line, and with this test to 
finish my work. The result of my experiments have not substantiated 
the assertion alluded to. The U. M. U. top wad is very light, thin and 
brittle. As a rule the wads slit in two when leaving the gun. It is 
evident that the cutting of the top wad has no bsneflcial effect upon 
the shooting qualities of shotguns. 
What Appears to Have Been Proven by the Test. 
The report has been so framed as to enable every intelligent reader 
to draw his own conclusions from it. 
In my opinion, it has been shown that black powder is less suscepti- 
ble to inferior wadding than the nitros, that it generates its gases 
more gradually than the latter, aud that it will practically make little 
difference whether a cardboard wad is used next to the powder, or a 
trap or similar soft wad. It even appears that a rigid wad is desirable 
The principal requirement for black powder wadding is sufficient 
thickness— from J4 to % of an inch— elasticity, density, and cohesive 
quality of the felt or its substitute. Whether one or more wads are 
employed, does not appear to be of any great consequence: neither 
does it differ much whether the wadding is dry or lubricated, as far 
as the performance is concerned. Considering velocity, pattern, and 
pressure in every case combined, we find that the best results were 
obtained with the service charges (3drs. powder, lj-goz. shot) when 
1 cb., 1 U, M. C. 12-ga. white felt, 1 cb. were used, and with the 3Vidrs 
powder and l)goz. shot, with one express wad, although it is not' con- 
clusively proved that the former wadding might not equal the 
latter. The l)goz. shot charge produced the best velocity and pattern, 
values compared with the 144dz. load, and in the last record not only 
comparatively, but absolutely. Only one size shell (2£gin.) was em- 
ployed. Neither in point of pattern nor velocity did black powder 
show any superiority over the nitros; it only made a good showing in 
respect to pressure — comparative safety. 
DuPont's smokeless powder (2^drs.,li.^oz. shot)service load, did best 
with 1 U. M. C. trap and .2 regular black edge wads, and next with 1 cb., 
1 Eley white felt, 1 cb. wad. The 3drs. powder, l^goz. load gave the 
best results with one express, 1 paper filler wad; next with 1 cb 1 
U. M, C. white felt 12-ga., 1 cb. wad, and considering the correspond- 
ing pressure, the last load performed best. With the SEgin. shell and 
3>|drs. powder and lJ4oz. shot, 1 trap and one black edge Min gave 
the best results, but this is still, in point of pattern, below the value 
obtained with load 43 and gun No. 4. 
Schultze powder, service charge, produced the best results with 
load 9, 1 U.M.C. regular black edge; and next with 1 cb., 1 Anderson 
cork compound wad, 10-ga., 1 cb. 
The best and a remarkably good result was obtained with load 253 
Cb), *%\n. trap shell, lj^in. black edge, lJ4oz, shot. With Mdn. 
powder, load 133 makes the best showing; wadding 1, 12-ga U M C 
%in. black edge, lJ4oz. P ii 0 t. Relatively, the best values were ob- 
tained with ljgoz. snot (load 181). 
E.C. powder, service charge, did best with 1 V. L. & D. Hurlingham 
express wad; next with 1 Hurlingham felt and 2cb, wads (see loads 56 
and 47). The best values were obtained with the 2«4in. shell and 1 Vioz 
shot (load 275). Relatively the best results were obtained with' load 
156. 
American AVood powder, service charge, beBt results with load 46; 
3M'3rs., IJ40Z. shot, best result with load 252. The highest pattern 
gave load 257. Relatively, by far the best result was obtained with 
load 251. 
Walsrode powder, service charge, best results with load 74; 27grs 
highest values with load 80. Relative and absolute highest values 
were obtained with load 281. 
I think the tests demonstrate the fact that there is hardly any oc- 
casion to employ a longer than a S^vn. shell in a 12 bore shotgun; 3in 
shells occasionally give a high pattern, but they perform, as a rule 
less regularly than a m or 2%in. shell. For ordinary shooting and 
nitro powders, a shell will do about as well as any longer shell 
I have not found that, beyond the 2pi.in. shell, the velocity can be im- 
proved by a longer shell. 
E.C. powder did best, of all powders now in the market in this 
country, in point of low gas pressure. DuPont., Schultze and Wals- 
rode exceeded somewhat the bursting strain average of the E.C, but 
did not develop any hazardous figures. 
The problem at issue has not been solved conclusively, but I could 
not continue the test further. The expenses incurred amounted to 
$894 50. A former opponent of the institution contributed $100 other 
parties $150, toward defraying the expenses. Deducting the $250 from 
the $894.50, leaves a deficit of $fi<H.50 for the Testing Institution But 
if the work performed prnves of benefit to the American sportsman 
the American Testing Institution will then consider itself amply com' 
pensated for the small sum sacrificed for the general good 
