FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Asm. 23, ISP4. 
E:gjpef iments with Shot* 
To determine the striking power of shot for different ranges, the 
firing portion of the programme was completed some while back; 
but a good deal of time had necessarily to be spent in subjecting 
the results obtained to mathematic analysis. The experiments 
in question involved not only the taking of very complex read- 
ings, but additional care was necessary, by reason of the fact that 
we had set ourselves the task of bringing up to date the results 
published in these columns some eighteen years ago, as a result of 
the Work which had then been accomplished in the same direction 
by Mr. R. W. S. Griffith. Where our own results differed from 
those previously recorded exceptional pains were necessary in 
order that we might feel justified in adopting revised values. 
Mr. Griffilh was fortunate in having the then editor of this 
paper, the late Mr. F. W. Toms, at his back as mathematical 
expert. His results were accordingly subjected to an exhaustive 
analysis, and the structure of calculation thus created, was re- 
ported at length in a series of highly interesting articles. In 
following up this important piece of research, it becaine neces- 
sary to lay out a programme calculated to give us the greatest 
possible benefit to be derived from the improved apparatus which 
is now available. Our preliminary experiments, which were re- 
corded in the issues already quoted, comprised, the firing of 50 
shots, and from these most important information was obtained. 
We were able, by their aid, to lay down a programme of tests 
enabling us to obtain the striking velocity of every size of shot 
for every range from 10 to 40yds., inclusive. The total number of 
shots fired was only 40, and from these, 160 time measurements 
were obtained. In this way we were able to show a great im- 
provement on the methods of eighteen years ago, the apparatus 
of to-day giving actually more and better information than was 
obtainable on the previous occasion by the firing of upward of 
2,000 shots. 
The method employed by Mr. Griffith was to take a series of 
difi'erent combinations of powder and shot charges and record the 
results obtained therewith at every range up to 60yds. We were 
able in our own case to replace these combinations with a single 
loading of cartridge, representing the standard which has been 
developed of late years, tiie cartridge in question giving a velocity 
of l,05Uft. per second over 20yds., with a shot charge of l%oz. 
Furthermore, we decided that the velocities up to 4Uyds. would 
suffice for all practical purposes, and this again enabled us ma- 
terially to cut down the number of observations required. Our 
preliminary experiments first of all gave us the very important 
information that all sizes of shot and all borings of gun gave 
practically the same mean velocities over the 20yds. range. That 
is to say, that, while small shot gave a higher muzzle velocity than 
the larger sizes, the ballistic advantage so gained was exactly 
compensated by their reduced ranging power after leaving the 
muzzle. In a similar manner it was found that, while choke 
barrels reduced the velocity of the charge in the act of passing 
through the constriction at the muzzle, the more compact flight 
of the pellets enabled them to recover this loss during their flight 
from the muzzle to the 20yds. screen. Thus, the results over 
20yds. were similar, whether cylinder or choke bored guns were 
used. This extraordinary process of compensation, covering as it 
did the extremes of gun boring and the extremes of shot sizes, 
enormously cut down the range of work to be carried through. 
In fact, before the experiments had proceeded very far we were 
able definitely to ascertain that at or about 7yds. from the muzzle 
a standard loading of cartridge gave an equal velocity, indepen- 
dently of the size of shot or the degree of choking at the muzzle 
of the gun. 
In the old experiments the striking velocity of the shot at the 
different ranges was obtained by a somewhat roundabout method. 
The velocities which were originally published gave the mean 
values from the muzzle to various distances up the range. Thus 
the velocity from 0 to 35yds. represented a certain time of flight, 
and the difference between this and the time obtained from 0 to 
40yds. gave the time occupied in covering the odd 5yds. between 
the distances named. While a comparatively rough time meas- 
urement will give a reasonably exact result from 0 to 40yds., the 
difference between any two such times over adjoining distances 
must give only a very rough approximation of the true result. 
However, working from such information as was then available, 
Mr. Toms built vtp for shot sizes INios. 5 and 6 a series of striking 
velocities at various ranges which he himself described as being 
as accurate as was humanly posible to obtain. 
With the chronograph which we now use it is possible to erect 
wire screens at every distance along a given range, and to record 
with great exactitude the points of time at which the charge of 
shot progressessively cuts the succeeding screens. In this way we 
were able to obtain from the firing of each cartridge four time- 
measurements. The range was thus divided into two sections, 
and a separate cartridge was fired for each of them. It was 
found that beyond 30yds. the results were so irregular as to render 
the readings obtained valueless. Hence we decided that the 
whole of our attention should be concentrated on the more con- 
sistent series of readings which were obtainable from 0 to 30yds. 
The averages so obtained were fairly consistent, and it was evi- 
dent that the information required lay concealed somewhere amid 
the mass of figures that resulted from the 40 shots that were 
fired. Having before us a number of values which in some in- 
stances represented greater individual disconformity for .one range 
than could exist between adjoining pairs of screens, it was neces- 
sary to bring to work a system of patient examination. By 
taking the rough averages, and by setting the same out in the 
form of curves, a general impression was obtained as to the time 
values that must exist m practice. Following upon this, the Bash- 
forth system of calculating differences of velocity for different dis- 
tances was brought into play, and we thus had side by side the 
results obtained from the instruments and those obtained by tak- 
ing the observed velocity at a given distance as a basis of calcula- 
tion, and finding therefrom the appropriate velocity for other 
distances forward or backward. 
Having arrived at the conclusion that the differences of velocity 
to be recorded between the adjoining shot sizes were so small as 
to represent much less than the errors of the instrument itself, we 
decided to limit the sizes employed to Nos. 3 and 7. Having 
exactly defined these limits, we felt sure that the intermediate 
sizes could, with every justification, be fitted in mathematically in 
proportion .to their relative sectional density. It was fortunate 
that this policy was adopted at an early stage of the experiments, 
because otherwise the enormous mass of figures involved would 
have defied the detailed mathematical treatment that we were able 
to accord to the handier number that were ultimately taken. By 
eliminating obviously false readings, and by selecting for mean 
. values those figures which were in closest harmony with the other 
values obtained at other distances for the same size of shot, a 
harmoniously proportioned curve was in due course built up from 
the figures obtained. From this it was apparent that we had not, 
, after all, departed very mt^ch from the actual records which had 
been obtained in the experimental firings. The following tables 
show the selected values for Nos. 3 and 7 shot, together with 
details of the instrumental observations from which they were 
: derived: 
. Velocity Readings for No. 3 Shot in Cylinder Gun. 
Position of recording 0—5 5—10 10—15 15—20 20—25 25—30 
screens; yards, yards, yards, yards, yarns, yards. 
Velocities recorded (1)..1263 1111 992- 938 882 833 
(2) .. 1188 1111 1000 923 888 822 
(3) .. 1188 1091 1025 9C9 882 800 
(4) .. 1212 1101 992 938 870 800 
(5) .. 1176 1079 992 943 852 811 
Arithmetical averages.. . .1205 1099 1000 930 875 813 
Characteristic values se- 
lected 1205f.s. 1099f.s. 997f.s. 928f.s. . 870f.s. aSf.s. 
Velocity Readings for No. 7 Shot in Cylinder Gun. 
Position of recording 0—5 5—10 10—15 15—20 20—25 25—30 
screens: yards, yards, yards, yards, yards, yards. 
Velocities recorded (1)..1238- 1101 974 943 820 774 
(2) .. 1238 1091 968 909 822 728 
(3) .. 1238 1091 962 888 8§8 759 
(4) .. 1250 1091 962 870 8li 711 
(5) .. 1250 1091 974 896 811 7§0 
Arithmetical averages.... 1243 1093 968 (?) 901 ^ 744 
Characteristic values se- 
lected 1243f.s. 1093f.s. 988f.s. 897f.s. Sm.6. TSSf.s. 
Velocity Readings in Feet per second for Nos. 3 and f Skif% in 
Choke and Cylinder Guns. 
No. 3 Shot. 
0—5 5—10 11)— |g 15—20 
Position of recording screens: yards, yards, yafds. yards. 
Velocities recorded (1) 1176 1132 102S 915 
(2) 1176 1101' 1025 938 
(3) 1154 1101 882 926 
(4) 1200 1101 1026 932 
(5) 1212 1090 1008 838 
Arithmetical averages 1184 1105 1015 929 
Characteristic values selected 1185 1099 997 928 
No. 7 Shot. 
0—5 5—10 10—15 15—20 
Position of recording screens: yards, yards, yards, yards. 
Velocities recorded (l; 1176 1101 976 909 
(2) 1176 1121 -931 915 
(3) 1176 1091 938 926 
(4) 1188 1091 946 904 
(5) 1224 1154 976 943 
Arithmetical averages 1188 1112 953 919 
Characteristic values selected 1185 1099 988 897 
Taking the tabulated figures in the order in which they are 
given, it will be seen that we have adopted the arithmetical 
averages of the velocities recorded for the first 10yds., of the 
flight of the shot. Having made a curve setting out the results 
obtained up to the limit distance of 30yds., we selected 870ft. per 
second as the characteristic value for the velocity between 20 and 
25yds., and we treated this as the absolute value ^at the midway 
point between these two screens. By working on Bashforth's sys- 
tem of calculation, we obtained the velocities for all the other 
distances recorded. We found that up to 10yds. the calculated 
values did not apply, this of course being due to the well-known 
fact that the .air resistance encountered by a charge of shot on 
emerging from the muzzle of the gun is something between that of 
a solid spherical ball and that of the individual pellets comprising 
the charge. Between 10 and 30yds. we found that the results ob- 
tained from Basliforth were in close agreement with the actual 
velocity records obtained. We acordingly adopted for the char- 
acteristic velocity over each distance the results calculated on the 
Bashforth basis. The differences between the arithmetical aver- 
ages and the figures which agree with the Bashforth formula and 
table are strikingly small. In fact, we believe that this is the 
first occasion on which a table of shot velocities has been pub- 
lished in which the recorded values agree with figures obtained 
from Bashforth. The records for No. 3 shot, as fired from a 
cylinder gun, are thus placed beyond question, and their exact 
agreement with calculations based on Bashforth laws for the flight 
of spherical projectiles justifies us in assuming that for distances 
beyond the range at which records were taken the striking 
velocities may be worked out by calculation alone, our experi- 
ments having shown us that beyond 30yds. the instrumental read- 
ings are too irregular to be of value. We accordingly found by 
calculation that the striking velocity at 40yds. of a No. 3 pellet, 
traveling in the manner indicated in the table up to 30yds., must 
be 70Gft. per second. 
The second table shows a similar series of readings for No. 7 
shot. The marked increase in velocity over the first 5yds. may, 
by reason of the information obtained in our earlier experiments, 
be attributed to the increased chamber pressure which arises 
through the presence in the cartridge of a small size of shot, the 
extra resistance increasing the strength of the powder to an extent 
suflicient to impart a considerable amount of extra muzzle velocity. 
Between the 5 and 10yds. screens the velocity is practically the 
same as that of No. 3 shot, and thence onward there is a gradu- 
aJly increasing separation between the two sets of records. We 
thus see that a velocity of 816ft. per second for No. 3 shot between 
30 and 35yds. becomes 758 for No. 7 shot. Working forward by 
calculation, we found that the 40yds. striking velocity of No. 3 
shot, viz., 706ft., becomes 629ft. in the case of No. 7. Before 
leaving the second table, attention may again be called to the 
remarkable conformity that exists for most distances between the 
average values obtained by experiment and those selected as 
characteristic for the size of shot under consideration. The only 
exception occurs in the case of the 10 to 15yds. record, the value 
968 being obviously a false one, due to instrumental errors. For 
the purpose of our calculated values, 823ft. per second was 
adopted as the characteristic 20 to 25yds. velocity. This gave 
758ft. between 25 and 30yds., as compared with the 744ft. for the 
experiments. By cutting out the individual record 711, we ob- 
tained for the remaining figures an average velocity of 753ft. 
This correction was fully justified by reason of the facts which 
were made clear in the course of the systematic examination 
of the figures which was conducted. Following the practice 
adopted with No. 3 shot, the values fixed for the first 10yds. were 
the strict arithmetical averages obtained from the experiments. 
The results so far quoted relate exclusively to the shooting of a 
cylinder gun. In the third table the records obtained with choke 
boring are duly set forth. The figures obtained' up to 20yds. only 
are recorded, the values beyond that distance being analogous 
to those adopted for the cylinder records. The choke results with 
, No. 3 shot for the first 5yds. are identical for shot size No. 7, the 
assumption being that anything that may be gained in velocity 
by the small sizes of shot is exactly cotinterbalanced by their 
extra loss in passing through the choke at the muzzle. Beyond 
5yds. the records so nearly agree with those registered from the 
cylinder barrel that we decided that, in dealing with striking 
velocities, choke and cylinder barrels might be treated as giving 
the same results. It will be seen that the choke gun records are . 
not so regular as those obtained in the case of the cylinder. For 
instance, with No. 7 shot from 10 to 20yds., the 10 to 15yds. value 
is obviously too low, while that from 15 to 20yds. is nearly as 
erroneous in the opposite direction. This implies that the time 
recorder at 15yds. had got out of adjustment, 'with the result that 
the intervals for the adjoining distances were measured one too 
high and the other too low. In the case of the choke gun and 
No. 3 shot the conformity with the cylinder results was much 
better maintained, and the agreement for the distances beyond 
those recorded in the table was still more marked. In fact, the 
average velocity registered betwen 25, and 30yds. for No. 3 shot in 
a choke barrel was identically the same as -was obtained in the 
firing of the cylinder. Thus, all things considered, and in the light 
of the careful checks which we applied to the figures obtained, we 
have good reason for saying that choke boring does not in- 
fluence the velocity of shot charges for a greater distance than 
10yds. from the muzzle. , m ' 
This, for the moment, completes the figures and conclusions to 
be put before the reader. It will be seen that we have obtained 
a thoroughly consistent series of records for Nos. 3 and 7 shot 
for all distances up to 30yds. From 10yds. onward the. values 
recorded are in complete harmony with Bashforth's laws relating 
to the flight of spherical projectiles. This agreement between 
theory and practice justifies us in continuing the values up to 
40yds. by calculation alone, and, so far as that is concerned, we 
could go even further. The limit arises when the striking veloci- 
ties go below 500ft. per second, when the rules no longer apply. 
In order to obtain the absolute striking velocity at all points from 
10 to 40yds., we have laid out the records in the form of curves. 
By so doing, we have been able to read off the velocities at 
Syd/ intervals along the range, and -a table for the two extreme 
sizes of shot dealt with has been built up accordingly. Curves 
representing the intermediate sizes of shot were then introduced by 
calculation between the extremes so defined; the particular posi- 
tion allocated for each curve being determined by the sectional 
aensity of the size of shot under consideration. — London Field. 
Division of Moneys, 
Utica, N. Y., April IQ.— Editor Forest and Stream: I would like 
to say a word about division of moneys at small shoots. I will 
take the State of Pennsylvania, for I am better known there. 
There are not more than twenty-five men in the whole State who 
are fit to shoot high guns or Rose system, that is, who have a 
chance to keep in the money, while there are over twenty-five 
hundred who are fit to shoot the Jack Rabbit system; that is, 
$1 entrance, birds extra. A shooter gets 10 cents for every broken 
target, and the 10 cents for every unbroken target goes into a 
pot to be divided as the management sees fit. At Millville, Pa., 
last fall, a father entered for himself and son for two days, $70; 
bought 800 shells. Tliey shot about 75 per cent, apiece, and were 
paid $6— pretty expensive sport. As it is, they very likely will 
never come again. 
Now with the Jack Rabbit system it would have been impossible 
for them to lose more than 25 per cent. At Johnstown, Pa., Sept. 
17, 1903, the Jack Rabbit system was used. Forty-two men shot 
altogether, and it was optional to shoot for targets only; but 
every man, mind you, shot for money. 'Ihe grand average' for that 
shoot was less than 70 per cent. Yet, not a man withdrew, and 
many never got above 50 per cent. John Dennicker made more 
money at this shoot than any one he attended last year. At an 
Interstate or an open, free-for-all, high guns. Rose system or 
class system is the proper way to divide money, as no one has 
any business there but a man who is a good shot. But for the 
one and two days' shoots throughout the country the Jack Rabbit 
system is the best, for it brings in the rank and file of field 
shooters and others that run from 40 to 75 per cent. Mr. Good 
Shot will get all the money at this system, but Mr. Poor Shot 
will get a run for his money, and get on speaking terms with the 
cashier and learn a trick or two about the game while he is 
doing it. This system was invented by Mr. Charles Brelsford, 
president of the Harrisburg Association, when I had the honor 
of being a member, fifteen years ago. The Worden brothers were 
then, as they are now, officers of that club, and it stands out as 
one of the most progressive gun clubs in the United States. The 
Jack Rabbit system was largely responsible for holding this club 
together, and I do not know of another one in the United States 
that has not missed a meeting. If any one does not understand 
this division and will write me, I will send him a little booklet 
explaining it. ^ ^ E. D. Fulford. 
Remington Gan and Rifle Clufa. 
Ilion, N. Y., April 13.— The annual meeting of the Remington 
Gtm and Rifle Club was held at their rooms, in the armory, last 
evening, and the following officers were elected to serve for the 
ensuing year: President, G. E. Humphreys; Vice-President, H. 
H. Bassett; Secretary and Treasurer, W. H. Grimshaw; Captain, 
R. H. Tomlinson; Collector, Charles Jenne; Trustees: L. N. 
Walker, W. F. Lawrence, J. F. Loy, J. Haltmar, G. S. De Lany, 
T Corbin, J. D. Pederson, F. A. Russell. 
The past season has proved a very successful one for the club, 
and it is expected that the coming season will be a lively one 
with the boys. The club has a membership of forty-five, and 
have ample grounds, with a suitable club house, which is easily 
resched by trolley. During the past season there has been built 
a 200yd. rifle range, which is greatly enjoyed by the rifle shooting 
fraternity. In addition to the magautrap used by the club, there 
will be set up this season expert traps for practice use. This 
addition to the -trapping facilities will be much appreciated by 
the members, as it gives them an opportunity to practice over 
both kinds of traps. 
Weekly shoots will be held on the rifle range and at the traps, 
and the committee of the club are actively engaged in arranging 
tournaments to take place early in the summer. 
Aquidncck Gun Cfufe, 
Newport, R. L— The events at Wednesday's shoot of the 
Aquidneck Gun Club, inaugurated a new series of thirteen 
matches for a silver cup, presented by Mr. P. H. Powel under 
the following conditions: Each match to take place on alternate 
Wednesdays at 50 targets, unknown angles, the total of ten best 
scores to win. A distance handicap to govern, as follows: The 
winners to go back one yard with each successive win up to 20 
yards, returning to 16 yards upon another winning a match. 
Ties to be shot off at 10 targets, expert rules. A superior lot of 
scores were the result of the first match, as follows: 
Targets: 10 15 10 15 T'l. Targets: 10 15 10 15 T'L 
Hughes 10 10 10 13—43 Mason 911 8 11—39 
Powel 9 9 9 14 — 41 Bowles 9 9 8 13—39 
Alexander 7 12 8 13—40 Dring 8 9 8 12—37 
Peckham 9 14 8 9-40 . 
