Feb. 6, 1904.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
119 
TRIDGES 
FOR EXPER^T COMPETITIONS 
UNITED STATES CARTRIDGE CO. 
Agencies- 1 "^^"^"^^^ ^^^""^ ^^""^^ ^^""^ ''^"^'^ 
* ( 114-116 MaLrket Street, SeLn Tracrvcisco 
LOWELL. MASS. 
The Kit Spacing of Powder Charges. 
A CORRESPONDENT recently wrote to us from India asking if 
we could make a few experiments to determine whether any 
benefit could be derived from increasing the air space in shotgun 
cartridges. He proposed that a cartridge case longer than usual 
should be employed with an internal shoulder or other wad stop, 
such as would be capable of giving an absolutely fixed space for 
the charge of powder. He suggested that the amount of powder 
used should. be equivalent to one-half the total capacity of the 
available space, the wadding and shot charge ■ to be the normal 
enes for sporting cartridges. His idea' appears to be that possibly 
the muzzle velocity of a shotgun could be improved by the above 
treatment, without introducing high pressvires and the consequent 
wild shooting and scattered distribution of the shot pellets. The 
utility of high velocity shot cartridges would, according to his 
view, be confined mainly to wildfowl shooting, where conditions 
demanding great power are generally present. 
The proposal above put forward is no doubt derived from the 
analogy that is provided in rifle cartridges. In this connection it 
is well understood that the ballistics of a rifle cartridge can be 
greatly augmented, without going beyond the accepted limits of 
pressure, by the use of an increased charge of powder combined 
with a cartridge case of greater proportional capacity than the 
amount of powder charge would appear to require. The idea, as 
applied to sporting cartridges, is not, of course, by any means 
original, but its practical application has not to our knowledge 
been extensively recognized. In the case of smokeless powders, 
which are bulked equally with black powders, the principle of air 
spacing is already established by manufacturing tne grains of 
powder in such a way that their spongy structure shall enable 
■ them to fill a greater space than if the explosive matter consisted 
of leaflets or other form of condensed powder. 
A diiSficulty which is always apt to arise in dealing with air- 
spaced smokeless powders is to insure the regular and effective 
ignition of the explosive. Where a charge of powder is com- 
pressed into a more or less solid pellet, the igniting influence of 
the cap is greatly aided by the gas given off by the powder itself. 
W' hen the powder is unduly air spaced a low breech pressure is 
registered, with the result that the ignition is not always perfectly 
performed. An illustration of this condition may be seen on 
looking down the barrels of most of the miniature rifles which 
are fired with cartridges containing revolver Cordite. The surface 
of the bore is deposited from end to end with unburnt grains of 
powder. Their quantity is considerable, and yet allowance must 
still be made for what has been blown out of the muzzle. This 
goes to show that when the density of loading is reduced beyond 
a certain point, the effectiveness of the combustion is destroyed, 
and such cartridges cannot be regarded as entirely satisfactory, 
however well they may otherwise behave, until this error is cor- 
rected. A variety of remedies are open for adoption. For in- 
stance, the superficial area of the powder grains may be increased, 
or else a stronger cap may be used. In the same way complete 
combustion of the powder can be obtained, either by reducing the 
air space in the cartridge or by increasing the charge of ex- 
plosive. All these adjustments are for the ammunition manu- 
facturer to determine, but they at any rate show that the air 
space of a powder charge cannot be indefinitely enlarged in 
relation to the amount of explosive to be confined. 
The condensed varieties of smokeless powder already represent a 
carrying out of the principles suggested by our correspondent. 
The cone bases which are formed in the cartridge cases prevent 
the entry of the wads beyond a certain distance. In fact, we 
believe that in the case of Ballistite the wads are entirely sup- 
ported by the cone in the cartridge, and that the powder is not 
subjected to any compression whatsoever. It would certainly 
be a great advantage if all condensed powders could be used in 
a standard type of cartridge, having a wad stop that would insure 
a suitable powder space. This, however, does not at present ap- 
pear to be possible, because, so far as we can ascertain, no one 
capacity of powder chamber would be equally suitable for all the 
condensed powders that are on the market. Some are more bulky 
than others, and too small a charge of powder in a given space 
would create difficulties of ignition likely to give trouble under 
practical conditions of service. 
This, however, is somewhat beside the question raised by our 
correspondent, though it will no doubt serve to illustrate the 
practical difficulties involved in giving effect to the principle. 
Some time ago a continental firm introduced a new form of 
cartridge case, carrying out the exact idea put forward by our 
correspondent. The principle adopted was to place a kind of 
muslin network across the- base of the cartridge. This was very 
tightly stretched a short distance forward of the flashhole. The 
powder charge was filled into the cartridge in the ordinary way, 
and the net was sufficiently firm to support the powder against 
the compression incidental to the seatinsf of the wads. We tested 
four sample lots of cartridges which were submitted to us, and 
the results are shown in the accompanying table: 
Chamber Velocity 
pressure in over 20yds. 
_ Charge Oz of tons per in feet, 
in grains. shot. sq. in. per sec. 
Poudre T. 
1. With diaphragm 41. VA 2.32 1148 
2. With diaphragm 41 1^4 3.17 1128 
3. Without diaphragm.. 38.5 VA 3.78 1135 
4. Without diaphragm.. 38.5 l^^ 4.55 1128 
Walsrode. 
5. With diaphragm 37 1^4 3.30 1128 
6. With diaphragm 37 1^4 3.30 1101 
7. Without diaphragm.. 34 I14 4.10 1088 
8. Without diaphragm.. 34 VA 4.65 1108 
As only two .shots for pressure and two for velocity were fired 
in each series, no averages have been calculated. As pressure 
and velocity were not obtained from the same cartridge, the indi- 
vidual value in the last two columns cannot be related to one 
another. It will be seen that two kinds of powder were used, and 
that pigeon charges were employed. In the case of the cartridges 
- fitted with diaphragms, an increased quantity of powder was used 
to compensate for the loss of effectiveness due to the non-propul- 
sive value of the first few expansions of the gas. In each instance 
the presence of the additional air space caused a marked reduc- 
tion of the pressures in the presence of undiminished velocity. A 
further increase of powder would naturally have resulted^ 
in a material increase of velocity, without exceeding the 
pressures given by the ordinary loading. It might be supposed 
that the above trials point to an improvement in cartridges which 
should' be generally adopted, but, as a matter of fact, the results 
obtained are not in any way remarkable. Our note-book contains 
the following observations, which were recorded at the time: "The 
diaphragm appears to act in the same way as any other method 
of air spacing in the charge, viz., to reduce p sissure, while main- 
taining or increasing velocity with the help of an extra charge of 
powder. The diaphragm is not likely to become widely used. 
There would always be the danger of its fracture, and, with the 
confinement of the excessive charge due to the wads passing 
further into the case, aggravated probably by a larger turnover, 
the pressures would run very high." So much, therefore, for the 
diaphragm method of air spacing a shot charge. A cone or other 
form of shoulder would afford equally satisfactory air spacing 
of the charge, without the danger above alluded to, for there 
appears to be no advantage in confining the powder to one end of 
the chamber available for its combustion, as distinguished from 
the alternative method of allowing it to lie loosely within the 
allotted space. 
There is no theoretical reason why high velocity shotgun car- 
tridges should not be constructed on the above principle of large 
powder charges in combination with comparatively small amounts 
of shot. , Provided the chamber were suitably air spaced for ap- 
propriate overcharges of powder, there could be no reason why a 
materially enhanced velocity should not be secured without unduly 
raising the pressures. Just what combination of results could be 
obtained it would be impossible to state without making careful 
experiments; but the question which really arises is whether there 
is a sufficient demand for a special cartridge of this character, 
which could only be used in guns of appropriate chamber length. 
Our own experience of guns used for shore shooting is that 
many of them fail to reach the standard which is daily attained 
by ordinary pigeon guns. Hence, before departing from recog- 
nized methods of design it would be desirable to see whether 
shoulder guns used mainly for duck shooting could not be adjusted 
and regulated so as to give in proportion to their respective 
charges results on all fours with what is commonly accepted as 
standard for sporting and pigeon cartridges. We may conclude 
with the remark that a favorite plan among American trapshooters 
is to air space the powder charge by using long cases and a huge 
length of wadding between powder and shot. Using the specified 
charges of shot, they get a high-counting pattern by the employ- 
ment of a small size of pellet. By burning a lot of powder with- 
out raising the pressure, they considerably enhance the power of 
the apparently unduly small pellets. —Field (London). 
Boston GuQ Club. 
The shooting dates .ire Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; 
April 6, 13, 27; May 4, 11, for the spring prize handicap series at 
Wellington, Mass. Conditions: Entrance free, open to all shoot- 
ers. Distance handicap. Six best scores out of fourteen to count. 
Score each day to consist of 25 unknown from magautrap. 
Special challenge, team mates. Conditions: Two men per team, 
25 unknown targets per man. Distance handicap. Special rules 
governing this contest posted at club house. All shooting under 
B. G. C. rules. Practice afforded before and after match. 
Time table Boston & Maine Railroad, Union Station, Western 
Division: To Wellington, 12:42, 1:47, 2:45, 3:10, 4:21. Leave 
Wellington, 2:18, 3:38, 4:36, 5:08, 5:57. 
IN NEW JERSEY. 
Newark Gun Club.^ 
Newark, N. J., Jan. 26.— The Newark Gun Club pulled off a 
very successful shoot at its grounds in this village to-day, quite 
a number of sportsmen from out-of-town being present. Those 
who distinguished themselves with their marksmanship were J. 
Knapp, of Auburn, C. J. Cottle, of Skaneateles; Harrison, of 
Rochester; E. W. Snyder, of Marion, and A. D. Snyder, of 
Newark. The official scores follow: 
■ Event No. 1, 10 targets: Plarrison 6, E. Snyder 9, B. Snyder 
8, Cottle 8, Knapp 9. 
Event No. 2, 15 targets : Harrison 9, E. Snyder 19, B. Snyder 
13, Cottle 14, Knapp 11. 
Event No. 3, 20 targets: Harrison 13, A. Snyder 18, B. Snyder 
16, Kelley 13, Knapp 13, Cottle 20. 
Event No. 4, 10 targets: Harrison 9, E. Snyder 8, B. Snyder 6, 
Kelley 8, Knapp 8, Cottle 6. 
Event No. 5, 15 targets: Harrison 12, E. Snyder 11, B. Snyder 
13, Kelley 11, Knapp 13, Cottle 13, Witt 11. 
Event No. 6, 15 targets: Harrison 8, E. Snyder 13, B. Snyder 9, 
Kelley 11, Knapp 12, Cottle 13, Witt 11. ' 
Event No. 7, 20 targets: Harrison 14, E. Snyder 13, B. Snyder 
18, Kelley 18, Knapp 16, Cottle 16. 
Event No. 8, 10 targets: Harrison 8, E. Snyder 7, B. Snyder 
9, Kelley 9, Knapp 9, Cottle 10, Witt 7. 
Event No. 9, 15 targets: Harrison 12, E. Snyder 14, B. Snyder 
12, Kelley 9, Knapp 13, Cottle 12, Witt 12, Parmer 8. 
Event No. 10, 20 targets: Harrison 15, E. Snyder 16, B. Snyder 
15, Parmer 12, Kelley 13, Knapp 18, Cottle 17. 
Hudson Gun CItib. 
Jersey City, N. J., Jan. 24.— The Hudson Gun Club, of Jersey 
City, held- the second shoot for January. The scores were not as 
good as generally on account of the high wind. 
Events: 123 4 5 6789 
Targets: , 25 15 25 25 15 15 10 10 25 
C V L 18 13 23 
Banta 19 9 21 21 .. 11 
Schorty 14 9 15 11 .. 9 8 8 14 
Gille 18 10 12 
Brewer U 6 6 6 . .. 
Pearsall -. 16 14 19 17 .. .. .. 6 . 
Headden 13 8 15 16 
Doran 14 6 
H Pearsall 16 14 17 11 
Wyckofl: 16 " " 
Pape, Jr. 5 15 .. 8 7 '6 k 
Whitley 12 .. .. 6 
Southard .. 7 18 .. 10 ii 's '6 13 
Hughes .. 16 .. 9 .. .. 7 ,. 
Schields 10 .. .. g 
Next shoot Feb. 7; all-day shoot on Feb. 21. Shooting dates 
for 1904: Feb. 7, 21; March 6, 20; April 3, 17;- May 1, f5, 29; 
June 12, 26; July 10, 24; August 7, 21; Sept. 4, 18; October 2, 16, 
30; November 13, 27; December 11, 25. 
Jas. Hughes. 
Walson Park Gun Cfub. 
Chicago, III., Jan. 29.— A-t a meeting held Jan. 22, a new gun 
club was formed, to be known as the Watson Park Gun Club, and 
the following officers were elected: President, J. H. Amberg; 
Vice-President, D. A. Hanagan; Secretary and Treasurer, George 
H. Steenberg; Board of Directors, L. Willard, Dr. C. W. Carson, 
O. Von Lengerke, and S. E. Young. 
The club starts out with a membership of abotit twenty, among 
whom are some of the most prominent shooters in Chicago, and 
bids fair to become one of the best trapshooting clubs in Chicago, 
as it has started out right by joining the Chicago Trapshooters' 
Association. It is not the intention of this club to limit its mem- 
bership, and members need not be residents of this city. An in- 
vitation is extended to all lovers of the manly sport of target 
shooting to join us in the promotion of trapshooting.- The mem- 
bership fee is $2, and $1 yearly dues. For further particulars 
address the secretary. At our meeting it was resolved that we 
issue a challenge for a team shoot to any five men in the United 
States, to be held at a date that may be agreeable to those accept- 
ing the challenge. For further particulars address the secretary, 
George H. Steenberg, 2372 115th St., Chicago, III. 
Indiana League of Tfapshootefs. 
Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. . 25.— The Indiana League of Trap- 
shooters will hold their annual shoot on the grounds, of the 
Indianapolis Gun Club, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 12 and 13. 
The dates first selected were June 9 and 10, but the dates selected 
for the Grand American Handicap, June 20 to 24, to be held on the 
grounds of this club, made it necessary to change the date of the 
State shoot. W. B. Allen, Sec'y. 
