418 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Nov. 12, 1904. 
Bore of gun.* of wadding. Nominal. 
MINIMUM SHOTGUN CHAMBER SIZES. (All decimal dimensions are given in inches.) 
4 (.935) 
8 (.835) 
10 (.775) 
10 (.775) 
12 (.729) 
12 (.729) 
12 (.729) 
14 (.693) 
16 (.662) 
16 (.662) 
20 (.615) 
20 (.615) 
24 (.579) 
28 (.550) 
32 (.502) 
.410 (.410) 
.360 (.360) 
*The decimal 
.948 
.845 
.784 
.784 
.738 
.738 
.738 
.702 
.671 
.671 
.623 
.623 
.587 
.557 
.509 
.415 ■ 
.363 
diameters 
4 in. 
3i4in. 
3i4in. 
2%in. 
3 in. 
2 in. 
2V 2 or 2 9-16in. 
2,1/2 or 2 9-16in. 
2%in. 
2y 2 or 2 9-16in. 
2%in. 
2V 2 or 2 9-16in. 
2i/ 2 in. 
2y 2 in. 
2V 2 in. 
2 in. 
l%in. 
of bore are the 
Length 
Additions to 

-Size of head C — 
Additions 
Radius of 
amber A. 
Depth , 
of chamber 
bore for front 
Diameter 
Calculated 
For 
For 
to C for 
Size of 
Decimal 
of rim E. 
taper A-E. 
of chamber. 
at front B. 
taper. 
Exactly. 
gauges. 
chambers. 
size of head. 
head D. 
rim circle 
(Does not 
.030 
4.000 
.130 
3.870 
.100 
1.035 
apply.) 
1.0900 
1.090 
.110 
1.200 
3.250 
.115 - 
3.135 
.079 
.914 
.015675 
.929675 
.9297 
.930 
.105 
1.035 
.020 
3.250 
.074 
3.176 
.070 
.845 
.015880 
.860880 
.8609 
.861 
.074 
.933 
.020 
2.875 
.074 
2.801 
.070 
.845 
.014005 
.859005 
.8590 
.859 
.074 
.933 
.020 
3.000 
.074 
2.926 
.071 
.800 
.014630 
.814630 
.8146 
.815 
.074 
.886 
.020 
2.750 
.074 
2.676 
.071 
.800 
.013380 
.813380 
.8134 
.813 
.074 
.886 
.020 
2.560 
.071 
.800 
81 9d °.n 
8124 
(174- 
SSR 
.oou 
020 
2.560 
.068 
2.492 
.070 
.763 
.012460 
.775460 
^7755 
.775 
.072 
.847 
!020 
2.750 
.062 
2.688 
.070 
.732 
.013440 
.745440 
.7454 
.745 
.071 
.815 
.020 
2.560 
.062 
2.498 
.070 ■ " 
.732 
.012490 
.744490 
.7445 
.744 
.071 
.815 
.020 
2.750 
.060 
2.690 
.070 
.685 
.013450 
.698450 
.69S5 
.698 
.068 
.766 
.020 
2.560 
.060 
2.500 
.070 
.685 
.012500 
.697500 
.6975 
.698 
.068 
.766 
.020 
2.500 
.060 
2.440 
.070 
.649 
.012200 
.661200 
.6612 
.661 
.067 
.728 
.020 
2.500 
.060 
2.440 
.064 
.614 
.012200 
.626200 
.6262 
.626 
.062 
.688 
.020 
2.500 
.060 
2.440 
.060 
.562 
.012200 
.574200 
.5742 
.574 
.062 
.636 
.015 
2.000 
.060 
1.940 
.055 
.465 
.009700 
.474700 
.4747 
.475 
- .062 
.537 
.015 
. 1 : 750 
.050 
1.700 
.055 
.415 
.008500 
.423500 
.4235 
.424 
.055 
.479 
.015 
minimum 
sizes as recog 
;nized for proo 
f purposes, except in the 
case of 4-bore 
and 32-bore, wh 
ere special values 
have been 
adopted. 
Chamber Sizes for all Bores. 
The accompanying table of chamber sizes represents the outcome 
of nearly a vear's work of the Gunmakers' Association and its 
sister society" in Birmingham. It may be remembered that we 
took strong exception to the series of chamber dimensions which 
were issued by the two associations in September. The present 
table of altered sizes provides a full justification for the withdrawal 
of what we then objected to. It must not, of course, be assumed 
that we were alone among those who felt that the 1902 sizes could 
never come into general use by gunmakers and cartridge manu- 
facturers In fact, the memorandum now issued jointly by the 
two associations characterizes their various defects under the fol- 
lowing six subject matter headings: (1) The published sizes were 
not in accordance with the rules laid down; (2) the 5-bore cartridge 
put forward to replace the conventional so-called 4-bore : was .not 
wanted; (3) no chamber for the above 4-bore was specified; (4) h. 
32-bore cartridge specified could not be used with a barrel of the 
caliber laid down; (5) several of the chambers departed from ex- 
isting sizes to an extent requiring the manufacture of the old as 
well as the new cartridges, in order that existing guns might not 
be thrown out of use; (6) the reduction in length of the 2 9-16m. 
cartridge to 2%in. was regarded as an undesirable alteration. 
In setting to work to frame a new series of sizes which would 
command the confidence, not only of all gunmakers, but also of 
the ammunition manufacturers who had refused to countenance 
the 19C2 table of sizes, a series of sound general guiding princi- 
ples was laid down as a basis for controlling the work to be 
Undertaken. These were that as rules cannot be strictly ollowed 
in all cases, none should be quoted; that, where possible, sizes 
previously agreed to should be adopted; that there should be a 
suitable relation between the front end of the chamber -and the 
bore of che barrel; that the chamber taper should be .005m per 
inch of length; that, though the size under head may vary with dif- 
ferent lengths of the same cartridge, the diameter of the rim 
should be unaltered; that, in order to save complication in re- 
gard to the uniform taper, two sets of sizes should be given for the 
^ize under head, viz.: to the nearest thousandth of an inch for 
chambers, and the nearest ten-thousandth for gauges; that the 
shap- of the rim recess should be altered to give a square edge 
for gripping the cartridge; and, finally, that the mean diameter of 
wadding for each bore of cartridge should be specified. 
The system adopted for the working out of the new chamber 
sizes proceeded upon lines of logically developing the different 
measurements, starting with the bore of the barrel as a' basis. 
This process is very clearly shown m the arrangement of the ac- 
companying table. The decimal diameters of the various calibers 
of shotgun were taken at the values specified for the purposes of 
proof, exceptions only being made in the cases of 4-bore and 32- 
bore cartridges, where practice departs from the theoretical 
diameters arrived at by treating the nominal bores as equiva ent 
to so many spherical lead balls to the pound. To test whether 
the decimal calibers so obtained were in correct relation with the 
average size of gun barrel, reference was had to the mean diame- 
ters of wadding which have a definite value, by reason of the 
standardization effected in this respect by the ammunition manu- 
facturers In some instances there may have been a doubt as to 
the exact size of a given bore of wadding, but as the divergence 
seldom amounted to more than a few thousandths of an inch, it 
was found Comparatively easy to arrive at characteristic mean 
values The difference, therefore, between the minimum caliber 
of the' gun and the mean diameter of the wadding for the various 
bores specified represents the ideal relation which theory and 
practice have jointly defined. This series of diameters of wad- 
din- has never before to our knowledge been specifically stated m 
print which affords a subject for congratulation to the two asso- 
ciations, since progress in cartridge making must always advance 
along the lines of standardization. _ 
The nominal and decimal length of the various cartridge cham- 
bers are shown in parallel columns, and it is interesting to note 
that the two have been brought into closer juxtaposition than m 
any previous set of sizes. The only exception arises in connec 
tion with the nominal 2%in. case; but as it is unlikely, at this 
time of day, that sportsmen will refer to this cartridge as of 
2'916in length, the two dimensions are placed side by siae. It 
i- thus open to the sportsman to continue to designate the car- 
tridge as of 2V 2 in. length, the gunmaker being equally justified on 
his side in terming the chamber 2 9-16in. The depth of the rim, 
which is shown in the next column, will be seen to represent a 
diminishing- value, starting with the 4-bore and finishing with 
the 360-bore. Again, it may be stated that the graduation of 
dimensions is very evenly maintained, and that the new sizes give 
reason for hoping that the slight alterations of cartridge which 
they involve will represent a marked change for the better as re- 
gards facility of extraction. The adjoining column, which specifies 
the length of the chamber taper, is more or less in the nature of 
a constructional piece for the calculation of other portions of the 
chamber. The length of the taper walls of the chamber is ob- 
viously obtained by deducting the depth of the rim from the total 
length over. all. ' , 
The column of additions to the decimal diameter of the bore for 
arriving at the front of the chamber represents -an entirely novel 
method of arriving at chamber dimensions. In the previous table 
of sizes this relation was ignored, with the result, for instance, 
that the 32-bore cartridge, with external dimensions of .562in., was 
expected to shoot in a barrel of .526cal., whereas this margin of 
difference was so small that the interior of the cartridge would of 
necessity be much smaller than the bore of the barrel. Other in- 
stances of a less glaring nature could be quoted, in which the bore 
of the barrel was unsuitably related to the size of the chamber. 
It is, however, evident, that the adoption of a progressive series 
of differences must provide the required agreement between car- 
tridge chamber and barrel. Consequently, by adding the values 
stated in the seventh column of the table to the diameter of the 
gun barrel, the dimensions at the front end of the chamber were 
immediately arrived at, and these are stated in the next column. 
To arrive at the diameter at the back of the chamber by calcu- 
lations based on the front diameter was a very simple matter. The 
length of the taper walls of the chamber, as shown in the sixth 
column, required only to be multiplied by .005 in order to give 
the number of thousandths of an inch that the diameter at the 
back of the chamber exceeded that at the front. The column 
of calculated tapers shows the amounts that had to be added to 
the size at front in order to give a true taper to the walls of the 
chamber of .005 of an inch for every inch of length. The addition 
of this value to the diameter at the front of the chamber is 
shown in the table as the size under head, for which three alter- 
native dimensions are submitted. The first in millionths of an 
inch is merely put forward to show the theoretical diameter. The 
middle- column gives the same value to the nearest ten-thou- 
sandth of an inch, this being for the guidance of gauge makers, 
whose working instructions must be stated within this fine limit. 
The conventional chamber size is, of course, that shown in the 
third column, being true to three decimals of an inch. 
Having arrived at the fore and rear dimensions of the chamber, 
it is necessary to determine the additional size for the extending 
rim. This diameter is known as the size of head, and in continua- 
tion of the principle of showing the relation which exists be- 
tween adjoining portions of the chamber, the column of additions 
is duly displayed. These, it will be seen, represent the same 
mathematical sequence as is- evident in the other columns of 
differences already referred to. The size of head— in other words, 
the diameter of the rim— is thus given for all sizes of cartridge. 
The last column, which states the radius of the rim circle, may 
be dismissed in a very few words. Experience has shown that a 
chamber with a square rim recess is difficult to clean, and is gen- 
erally unsatisfactory from a mechanical point of view. On the 
other hand, the edge of the rim recess cannot be too square and 
sharp, since satisfactory ejection of the cartridge depends upon 
this condition being fulfilled. It was therefore decided that the 
form of the rim recess adopted should represent a square edge, 
with a slight rounding of the corner, where dirt would otherwise 
collect. An additional reason for adopting a square edge to the 
rim recess than was specified in previous chamber dimensions was 
that the naturally plastic nature of the cartridge head, when sub- 
jected to the pressures experienced in shooting, causes a ten- 
dency for the cartridge rim to mould itself to the shape of the 
rim recess of the chamber. By squaring the corner of the rim a 
better shape is imparted to the cartridge, to facilitate extraction. 
Reviewing the new series of chamber sizes as a concrete whole, 
there seems to be good reason for saying that they contain many 
desirable features, and apparently none that is objectionable. It 
is, of course, not to be expected that in the official card of chamber 
sizes shortly to be issued the whole fabric of figures here repro- 
duced will be used. The present table is merely put forward as a 
justification for the dimensions now issued. The various columns 
of differences, representing the scaffolding, so to speak, will be 
removed now that the new sizes have duly passed the preliminary 
report stage. That they may be accepted as final is shown by the 
fact that Messrs. Eley, Joyce and Kynoch have jointly approved 
the whole of the dimensions laid down. It would thus appear 
that a question which has been under active discussion for no 
less than five years has at last reached its final stage. In answer 
to those who may object that sizes have previously been issued 
only to be withdrawn at a subsequent stage, it is reasonable to 
point out that the exceeding technicality of the question made it 
impossible to arrive in .one step at the conclusion which now 
seems so obvious.— Field (London). 
Massachusetts Rifle Association. 
Scores follow for the regular weekly shoot: 
Long-range match, 1000yds- : F. Daniels 46, W. Charles 39, M. 
T. Day 39. 
Offhand match, Standard target: R. L. Dale 93, S. C. Sampson 
82, M. T. Day 80, A. W. Hill 76. 
Offhand match, German ring target: R. L. Dale 226, A. Nieder 
211, M. Alden 209, F. H. West 193. 
Military revolver match: D. A. Allen 46, G. P. Cooley 46, O. 
C. Charles 44, W. A. Smith 42. 
Pistol match, 50yds.: E. E. Patridge 92, Mrs. E. E. Patridge 
81, T. B. Hobbs 79. 
Tau Alpha Socitty. 
The following scores were made Nov. 2 by this society on the 
Zettler ranges. Twenty shots per man on the regular yjn. ring 
target offhand. Scores: E. S. Hall 446, W. S. Prenchard 417, 
E °D. Barlow 416, Gerard N. Whitney 414, R. G. Shirley 374, 
H. S.' Orr 359, J. V. Geraghty 342, Lloyd Collis 322, E. D. Mc- 
Murray 329. 
A handsome silver cup went to Mr. Hall, he having won it by a 
comfortable margin under the conditions imposed, namely, high 
man for three consecutive shoots. 
If you want your shoot to be announced here send a 
notice like the following: 
Fixture** 
N ov- 8.— Bound Brook, N. L, Gun Club all-day shoot; merchandise 
prizes. F. K. Stelle, Sec'y. 
Nov. 17-19.— Tampa, Fla.— Tampa Bay Rod and Gun Club, $400 
added. T- A. Hansbrough, Sec'y. 
Nov. 24.— Ossining, N. Y., Gun Club merchandise shoot. C. G. 
Blandford, Capt. 
June 8-9.— Dalton, O., Gun Club annual tournament. Ernest F. 
Scott, Capt. 
DRIVERS AND TWISTERS. 
In the club team contest, Nov. 5, the Castleton Gun Club was 
victorious at Rahway, N. J. 
H 
The Florists' Gun Club defeated Hill Rod and Gun Club, of 
Chester, Nov. 5, by a score of 168 to 140, ten men on a side. 
The Media Gun Club defeated the Highland Gun Club at 
Gorgas Station, Pa., Nov. 5, by a score of 176 to 162, in a ten- 
man team match. 
* 
At the live-bird shoot held at Point Breeze Track, Philadelphia, 
last Saturday, Fred Coleman was the only one to kill straight in 
the 10-bird event. He had the back mark, 31yds. 
•5 
The Narberth Gun Club lost the team match in the opening 
series of the Trapshooters' League, to the North Camden Gun 
Club by a score of 126 to 106, out of a possible 250. 
>5 
We are authoritatively informed that the firm of Messrs. J. H. 
-Lau & Co., New York, will be continued under the same firm 
name as heretofore, with no change of policy or management. 
The Clearview and S. S. White gun clubs met in a ten-man 
team contest at Darby, Pa., on Nov. 5. Each contestant shot 
at 25 targets. CI earview won by a score of 192 to 183. Mr. H. 
Stahr, of the S. S. White team, distinguished himself with a 
straight score, his nearest rival being Mr. F. L. Ludwig, of the 
Clearview team. 
K 
A ten-man team contest between the Meadow Springs and 
Hillside gun clubs, near Philadelphia, Nov. 5, was won by Meadow- 
Springs, with a score of 172 to 149 targets. Four of the Hillside 
team were absent, so under the rules each was credited with 12 
in the score. In the Meadow Springs Club handicap, seventeen 
contestants, three tied on 25. 
The twenty-eighth S.nd last trophy shoot of the season, held by 
the Garfield Gun Club, of Chicago, had thirteen contestants. 
Team races are now quite a favorite form of the club's competi- 
tion. Three matches were shot, six and seven-man teams, cap- 
tained by Dr. Meek and Mr. Eaton. Dr. Meek's team won all 
three of these team contests. 
Mr. W. G. tlearn, who has been seeking health on the shore 
of Long Island during a number of weeks past, has entirely re- 
cuperated. Pie has accepted a position with the Marlin Fire 
Arms Co., New Haven, Conn., as traveling salesman, and had 
arranged to assume his duties as such on Monday of this week. 
Mr. Hearn has had a long and broad experience in the gun and 
ammunition trade, and has many friends. 
at 
Capt. C G. Blandford writes us as follows: "The next regular 
club shoot of the Ossining Gun Club will be held on Saturday, 
the 12th inst. Some handicap prize events will be shot. Mem- 
bers of the team are especially requested to attend. A number of 
shooters have requested that we run a tournament on Thanksgiv- 
ing Day, Nov. 24. We have been promised some very fine mer- 
chandise prizes for that day. The programme will be as follows: 
Six sweepstake events at 15 clay birds, each $1.30 entrance. Three 
events at 25 clay birds each, merchandise, $1 entrance. The prizes 
will be worth double the price of entrance. First prize in one 
event will be a pair of binoculars worth $25. For further par- 
ticulars apply for programmes to C. G. Blandford, Captain, Os- 
singing, N. Y." 
Bernard Waters. 
IN NEW JERSEY. 
Montclair Gun Club. 
Montclair, N. J., Nov. 5.— Owing to the fact that a large dele- 
gation of the Montclair Gun Club accompanied their team on 
their visit to Rahway to-day, but seven shooters faced the traps. 
All present had a very good time. Several novelty matches were 
arranged. A walking match; standing with back to the traps when 
giving the word to pull; shooting with the gun at the hip; in 
fact, quite a number of experiments that did not appear on the 
score card, were the order of the day. 
At Rahway the Castleton Gun Club were the winners of the 
silver cup, but Montclair was but one point below the winning 
team. 
Events: 12 3 4 
Targets: 25 25 25 25 
C H Hartshorn 14 12 16 16 
C L Bush 16 17 19 15 
E H Holmes 15 12 10 .. 
H F Holloway 15 16 15 
Events: 12 3 4 
Targets : 25 25 25 25 
H W Benson 21 16 
Dr Cash 13 16 
S Case _ 
Edward Winslow, Sec'y. 
Trap at Point Breeze. 
At the Point Breeze Race Track, Philadelphia, Nov. 5, scores 
were made as follows: 
Ten live birds, handicap rise: 
27 1111012102— 8 Nelson, 28 1000102100— 4 
.2002222222— 8 Coleman,_ 31 2222222222—10 
Murphy, 
Hyland, 30. 
Buckley, 26 
Clegg, 28. 
^uu^y^- ~ ^vJitniaii, o± — itf 
..0112010011— 6 Aiman, 27 021112022?— 8 
...1120220122— 8 Talbot, 26 2022220^22—8 
McCoy, 29 0222222212— 9 Edwards, 30 2122111200— 8 
Open sweepstake, 5 birds: McCoy 5, ivr„ m i,„ a -d.._i.i___ a 
Mi 
.. , . ...urphy 4, Buckley 4, 
Talbot 5, Nixon 5, Coleman 4, Clegg 5, Aiman 4, Hyland 4, 
Muller 4. 
Miss-and-out, sweepstake 
iviiss-anu-uui, awccp^nixv. McCoy 4, Muller 3, Coleman 4, 
Aiman 4, Hyland 4, Nixon 4, Hallman 4, Buckley 3, Edwards 4, 
Murphy 4, Clegg 4, Talbot 4. 
