148 
FOREST AND STREAM 
Velocity Tests. 
In our last issue we showed how patterns were influenced by 
certain variations in the form of the choke. More than this, we 
were able to show exactly how a choke barrel behaved after it 
had been converted into a true cylinder by cutting off the choked 
end of the muzzle. The experiments so recorded were intended 
to prepare the ground for the present report, concerning the 
influ ence of the choke on the muzzle velocity of the shot. In our 
experiments of a year ago we were successful in showing that, with a 
standard cartridge giving 1050 feet per second velocity over 20 
yards, No. 7 shot left the muzzle of a choke gun with a velocity 
of about 1220 feet per second, whereas the corresponding figure for 
the cylinder gun was as nearly as possible 1290 feet per second. 
We felt safe in assuming at the time that the passage of the 
shot through a muzzle constricted to full choke caused a definite 
loss of velocity, which varied with the size of the shot./ The 
figures here quoted are not those which, strictly speaking, were 
obtained from the actual experiment. Our instruments gave us 
the mean velocity over the first 5 yards of the shot's travel from 
the muzzle, and it was only by setting the figures out in the form 
of a curve that we were able to obtain the probable corresponding 
value for the actual rate of departure from the muzzle. In com- 
paring the two systems of boring, we took two separate barrels, 
as much alike in all other respects as skillful manufacture could 
make them. This did not, however, entirely get rid of the ob- 
jection that there might be a sufficient difference between the 
two barrels used to cause the apparent difference of muzzle veloc- 
ity, quite apart from the question of choke or no choke. 
In the present experiments we cut off the choke, so as to use 
the same barrel throughout, and limit the difference in the condi- 
tions to a matter of % inch more or less in the length of the bar- 
rel. In so far that the cylinder barrel was shorter than the choke 
barrel, we were free to assume that any difference in the amount 
of muzzle velocity due to length would act against the cylinder 
barrel. Therefore, if we found a definite difference of velocity, 
we could assume that it arose entirely from the removal of the 
resistance caused by the presence of the choke. A very valuable 
table of calculations, which was compiled jointly by Mr. R. W. S. 
Griffith and the late Mr. Frederick Toms, then editor of the 
Field, was used for interpreting the time measurements obtained 
in the experiments under consideration. It is interesting to note 
that in these experiments we have been working, so far as we are 
aware, on the absolute borderland of minute time measurements. 
The Ordnance Committee has for the past few years been conduct- 
ing a very impoi'tant series of abstruse scientific experiments, with 
a view to revising the values given in the Bashforth tables. A 
short while ago it was a closely guarded official secret as to the 
precise unit of time which constituted the basis of the Govern- 
ment investigations. A chance word dropped during the discus- 
sion of a paper recently read before the Royal Artillery Institution 
showed that the unit of tim.e in which the Government make their 
tests is the 10,000th part of a second. This is also the unit of 
time which we can get from our own chronograph, with a degree 
of exactitude which we have reason to believe is fully equal to that 
obtained in the most perfectly conducted Government experiments. 
In making the test for mtizzle velocity with our chronograph 
we decided to connect up our instrument so that we had a single 
wire at the muzzle operating one of the electro-magnetic contacts 
for registering the passage of the bullet. At 5 yards from the 
muzzle we fixed two wires, attaching each of them to a separate 
magnet on the chronograph. By so doing we obtained a double 
measurement of the time over this distance for each individvial 
round fired. This enabled us to apply a very important check to the 
instrument, whereby erroneous readings could be eliminated, 
so leaving an average value for a series of shots very close to the 
actual truth. The importance of carefully safeguarding the 
accuracy of our tests is made manifest by referring to the table 
of chronograph records compiled by Mr. Griffith and Mr. Toms. 
A charge of shot covering the 5 yards distance at 1230 feet per 
second occupies .0022 of a second in accomplishing its journey. 
If the shot takes two 10,000ths of a second less time in passing 
over this distance, the average velocity becomes 1250 feet per 
second. Consequently, the difference between the choke and 
cylinder velocity becomes no more than the fifth part of the 
M'avy scratch on a plate of smoked glass which is produced by 
the tuning fork. We have 1000 of these movements in a second, 
and we can divide each complete wave into ten parts, thereby 
giving Us a time measurement in units of the 10,000th part of a 
second. To show a consistent difference of 20 feet between choke 
and cylinder velocities, we must obtain an average velocity for 
each series of shots to the nearest 10,000th part of a second. 
Unfortunately, the particular shape of the barrel tube with which 
these tests were conducted made it impossible to finish it off to 
full choke size. Consequently, we used a half choke, and so 
diminished by approximately one-half its influence on the velocity. 
However, we give in the accompanying table the complete series 
of velocity readings over 5 yards, which were taken with the dif- 
ferent forms of choked muzzle: 
Velocity readings in feet per second over 5 yards from choke 
barrel: 
Length of Front Cylinder in Choke. 
34in. Vzin. i/iin. %in. 
1.. 1230 3230 1230 1250 
1220 1230 1230 (1282) 
2................ 1240 1250 1210 1230 
1240 1250 1210 1230 
S 1250 1259 1220 1230 
1260 (1304) 1220 1230 
4.......... 1190 1200 1190 1210 
1190 1200 1190 1210 
5...... 1220 1250 1220 1220 
1220 1260 1220 (1280) 
Average. 
.1226 1235 1214 
Average of entire series, 1225. 
1226 
It will be seen that the length of the front cylinder in the choke 
exercises no influence on the muzzle velocity of the shot. Hence 
we may assume for velocity purposes that the whole of the shots 
were fired under identical conditions. The average velocity for 
the entire series thus becomes 1225 feet per second over the first 
5 yards of the shot's travel. The figures bracketed together repre- 
sent the duplicate readings obtained from the double set of wires 
which were used for each shot. They show us that our chrono- 
graph acted in a reliable fashion seventeen times out of the total 
twenty shots. When the two readings only varied by 10 feet— 
that is, when the time record varied by the 10,000th part of a 
second— we felt safe in assuming that the average of the two 
values might fairly be taken. When, however, there was a larger 
difference, we placed in brackets the reading which appeared to 
be the abnormal one, and took no account of it in working out 
the average. We so dealt with three records of the total of forty 
taken over twenty rounds. On this basis we may assume that our 
chronograph gives accurate results in 93 per cent, of its records, 
which is quite sufficient for the obtaining of extremely consistent 
Readings, In no less than fourteen out of the twenty shots ideijti- 
1260 
1260 
cally the same readings were obtained from both electro-magnets. 
This sufficiently proves the justice of our contention that the 
time unit adopted is well within the power of our instrument, 
especially when we remember that special precautions were taken 
to avoid favoring the results by unconsciously locating the marks 
on the positions we wished them to occupy. We may accord- 
ingly accept with every confidence the value 1226 feet per second 
as the average 5 yards velocity of a standard cartridge when fired 
from the half-choke barrel, which was so fully described in our 
previous issue. 
After cutting off the choke portion of the muzzle, we made a 
fresh series of tests for velocity, and obtained the following read- 
ings over 5 yards: 
1230 1271 1240 1240 
1230 1271 1230 1240 
Average of series, 1247. 
It will be seen that the variations from shot to shot were in 
several instances in excess of the actiial amount which distinguishes 
the choke from the cylinder resuUs. On the other hand, this is 
not a greater variation than that which normally exists between 
cartridge and cartridge, even when loaded in a laboratory. The 
average of the series, nevertheless, displays a marked increase of 
velocity following the removal of the muzzle choke; and as the 
shots were fired within a short time of one another, and the car- 
tridges used were of the same batch, and in every way as nearly 
as possible of a uniform character, we feel that there is every justi- 
fication for adopting the difference of 22 feet between the averages 
of the two series, as fairly representing the difference between the 
behavior of the same barrel, first with a half-choke muzzle, and 
secondly, with a true cylinder bore. In our experiments of last 
year we showed a difference between a full choke and a cylinder 
barrel of 45 feet. We now get about half that difference with a 
gun having a half choke muzzle. This seems to be quite in ac- 
cordance with what one might expect. Last year we were able to 
fix the velocity over the first 5 yards for No. 7 shot at 1243 feet 
per second. Now we get a velocity of 1247 feet per second with 
No. 6 shot. This again, is as near as one can expect to go in 
making experiments involving such minute distinction of time 
intervals. Last year's full-choke results with all sizes of shot gave 
us a velocity of 1185 feet over 5 yards. This year, with a half- 
choke, we get 1225 feet. We may consider this distinctly higher 
velocity near the muzzle as mostly accounted for by the differ- 
ence of resistance caused by the two sizes of choke. 
The experimental particulars which we have given in this article 
no doubt suffer from the introduction into a discussion of sporting 
gunnery, of facts and figures which are unduly minute' and tech- 
nical; but we have at least the justification that they prove, with 
as much force as our present state of knowledge allows for, that 
the charge of shot in traveling along the barrel is retarded when 
it encounters the constricted orifice of the choked muzzle. That 
the loss of speed is in some way or another closely related to the 
reduced dispersion of the pellets we feel fully convinced. We 
have never regarded the theory that the choke acts as a kind of 
deflecting screen which drives the pellets inwards ae a sound 
explanation of choke boring; but we do hold that a definite loss 
of velocity, however slight it may be, may set up wave pressures 
among the powder gases in the barrel which may so modify their 
subsequent outrush as to influence the dispersion of the pellets 
from the true line of flight. Future experiments with a gun 
barrel of abnormal length, and another with holes so drilled around 
it as to get rid of the gases at the rear of the shot before it leaves 
the muzzle, may serve to provide further confirmation of the theory 
underlying the action of choke boring in guns— Field (London). 
IN NEW JERSEY. 
Plainfield Gon Club, 
Plainfield, N. J.— At the shoot held on Feb. 4 events 4, 7 
and 8 were for silver prizes; a first and second prize was of- 
fered in each. The fourth event was won by Brantingham. The 
second prize was won by John Terry. In the seventh event first 
prize was won by John Terry; second was won by Mr. Moffett. 
In the eighth event first was won by Mr. Moffett; second by 
S. Terry. Other events were sweepstakes. 
It gives us much pleasure to see Jas. Goodman, Thos. Brant- 
ingham and , Scott Terry back into the sport. These gentlemen 
were all members of the famous Climax Gun Club. Many of the 
older shooters will remember the Climax as the most popular 
gun club in central Jersey when live pigeon shooting was at its 
height. 
Events: 12345678 
Targets: 10 10 5 15 15 15 10 10 
T H Keller, Jr 8 8 3 10 9 12 5 5 
Scott Terry 5 8 3 12 13 11 7 7 
H Dreier 5 5 3 10 .. 4 5 
J Nichols 4 5 1 ...... 6 .. 
C Maltby 6 8 3 5 .... 4 4 
J Giles 6 3 4 6 5 
Sabacher 4 5 1 11 10 .. 3 7 
Vosseller 3 6 3 6 3 
P Jahn 5 5 2 7 .. 
T Brantingham 6 5 4 7 14 13 8 7 
E Cutting 3 6 2 6 2 
Geo Johnson .. 8 13 .. 7 6 
T A Pope .. .. 7 .. .. 2 7 
Van Goodman 7 11 11 7 6 
Moffett 14 .. .. 8 7 
John Terry 7 4, .. 7 9 
P Terry 10 7 .. .. 6 
Dr Luckey 11 7 12 .. 6 
Edw Hand .. .. .. .. 9 .. 5 5 
Jas. Johnson 11 .. 4 5 
Geo Firstbrook 3 . . 2 
Jas Goodman 3 6 
H. P. Vosseller, Sec'y. 
Montclair Gun Club. 
Montclair, N. J., Feb. 11. — The regular Saturday shoots have 
been very well attended all through the winter, and to-day's at- 
tendance was no exception, some thirteen men shooting through 
some six events. Some 1,400 targets were thrown. 
Dr. Gardiner, of the Mountainside Gun Club, drove over from 
Orange with his friend Mr. Spear, and shot through the last four 
events. Messrs. Cockefair, Crane and Moffatt and Dr. Gardiner 
each won a box of shells as a result of their efforts. 
Events: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Events: 1 2 3 4 5 6 
Targets: 25 25 25 25 25 25 Targets: 25 25 26 25 25 26 
C Babcock, 1. . 22 21 18 21 . . . . W I Soverel, 3. .. 17 19 21 .. .. 
C W Kendall, 0 18 18 22 21 19 17 G Boxall, 4 15 17 16 IS .. 
W T Wallace, 4.16 18 15 16 20 , . Spear, 2 17 20 21 19 
F W Moffett, 2 20 21 22 23 24 19 Dr Gardiner 25 23 20 22 
I S Crane, 2 20 18 22 21 .. C Hartshorne, 6 .... 15 20 17 . . 
E Winslow 16 14 F Robinson. 6 12 19 .. .. 
R H Cockefair, 2.. 22 20 24 19 14 
Handicaps apply in events 4 and 5. 
Edward Winslow, Sec'y. 
Alert Gon Clab. 
Phillipsburg, N. J., Feb. 11. — Messrs. Hawkins and Apgar were 
high professionals. Messrs. Pleiss, Markley and Hahn were high 
amateurs. 
The first annual tournaRient of the Alert Gun Clpb, of Phillips- 
burg, N. J., was held Feb. 11, with ' thirty-one shooters in attend- 
ance. The tournament in every particular was a success, and the 
officers and the members of the club feel very proud with the 
manner in which same was conducted. All the participants left 
after the shcot with the feeling that they were well taken care 
of, and with the idea of returning again at some future time to 
enjoy the pleasures connected with target smashing. 
We had with us the following professionals: J. S. Fanning, Sim 
Glover, Neaf Apgar, J. M. Hawkins, and Frank Butler, and also 
a large number of out-of-town amateur shots. 
Mr. Hawkins enjoyed the privilege of being high professional 
with 156 breaks out of 180, with Neaf Apgar next professional 
with 133 breaks out of 180. 
Mr. Jacob Pleiss, of Easton, Pa., was high amateur, and shot 
at the head of both professionals and amateurs. His shooting, 
with all the conditions taken into consideration, was the best 
ever seen in this section. His score was 160 breaks out of 180. 
Following him with next highest amateur shooting was Edw. F. 
Markley, of Easton, Pa., who broke 145 out of 180, and next in 
line for the third amateur average money was I. Hahn, of Beth- 
lehem, Pa., with a score of 121 breaks out of 180. 
The following explanation can be given for the low scores of 
both amateurs and professionals. The targets were thrown from 
a Leggett trap at a distance of from 50 to 65yds., the wind catching 
the targets at times would make their flight vary and at the 
same time make the most difficult target. Total targets, 180. Fol- 
lowing are the scores: 
Events: 123456789 10 11 
Targets: 10 15 20 25 10 15 20 10 20 10 26 Total. 
Clark 6 8 17 12 7 8 11 6 16 3 16 110 
Grover 8 10 10 15 6 12 11 6 8 6 . . 92 
Markley 10 11 14 22 8 12 16 7 17 9 19 145 
Hawkins 6 11 18 20 9 12 20 10 19 9 22 156 
Butler 6 10 12 16 10 13 13 7 11 6 18 121 
C Miller 7 13 12 11 8 11 13 7 10 5 . . 97 
Arnwine 6 8 15 16 10 10 15 4 12 5 12 113 
Pleiss 9 13 18 21 10 11 17 10 19 9 23 160 
Hahn 7 10 13 23 6 11 12 6 16 4 13 121 
Maurer 7 9 12 11 8 8 12 6 10 6 17 106 
Wilson 6 10 12 13 6 11 13 7 15 7 . . 100 
Sked 6 7 18 20 7 9 11 4 15 7 13 117 
Kane 5 7 11 14 5 6 10 4 . . 6 . . 68 
Gapp 7 7 10 17 3 5 13 6 6 7 14 95 
Apgar 7 12 15 21 8 11 17 5 16 10 18 133 
Fanning 6 14 16 22 7 11 15 8 15 9 14 131 
Adams 9 10 11 22 8 7 17 2 10 7 .. 103 
George 3 9 6 18 
Glover 6 10 12 18 9 12 16 6 18 9 20 130 
Alert 8 8 12 4 32 
C H Snyder 6 12 16 6 40 
Kendig 8 12 16 4 17 7 17 81 
Inscho .. 4.. .. 4.. 1!. 9 
Brunner 5 10 5 9 5 10 44 
Stubbelbine 11 12 5 15 8 . . 51 
G Elliot 7 15 .. 12 .. .. 34 
H Snyder .. 8 17 7 10 .. .. 42 
Hellyer 7 13 5 12 37 
Fretz 4 4 3 .. 11 
H Miller 7 16 8 12 43 
F Weiss 4 .. 4 
Haney 5 9 6.. .. 6.. 27 
Harry L. Inscho, Sec'y. 
North River G«n Club. 
Edgewater, N. J., Feb. 11. — Event No. 4, handicap trophy shoot 
for silver cup, resulted in a tie. The shoot-off was won by 
Mr. F. Vosselman for the fifth time, and he has won it for good. 
Events: 12345 6 78 
Targets: 10 15 15 25 25 25 15 10 
Eickhoff, 3 9 14 14 22 20 20 13 10 
Truax, 1 8 12 13 24 20 
Schoverling, 0 8 14 15 25 15 .. .. ".. 
Morrison, 3 5 10 15 18 .. 19 9 .. 
Reynolds, 1 7 12 12 20 .. 22 10 .. 
Fred, 0 3 .. 7 3 9 .. .. .. 
S Sloan, 0 3 3 7 14 .. 21 8 .. 
Vosselman, 6 5 12 10 22 21 17 .. .. 
H R Williams, 0 6 6 11 18 .. 14 10 .. 
N O Craighead, 0 3 12 8 8 12 .. .. 
H B WilHams, 0 10 21 .. 20 12 .. 
Allison, 3 13 9 20 
Richter, 3 12 12 16 19 .. 16 .. 
Hans, 0 9 11 16 17 11 
Schneider, 0 10 22 24 .. 15 .. 
Dr Paterno, 0 8 5 .. 16 .. .. 
Jas. R. Merrill, Sec'y. 
PUBLISHERS* DEPARTMENT. 
Mardi Gras, New Orleacs, La., March 7, 1905. 
Southern Railway announces a rate of $37.75 for the round trip 
fj>om New York on this occasion. Tickets on sale March 1 to 6, 
good to return until March 11. By depositing ticket, with pay- 
ment of $1, extension of same can be had until March 18, 1905. 
Pullman Drawing Room, Sleeping and Dining Cars, New York to 
New Orleans. Double daily service. New York offices, 271 and 
1185 Broadway. Alex. S. Thweatt, Eastern Passenger Agent. 
Washington. 
Low-Rate Tour via Pennsylvania Railroad. 
Feb. 21 is the date on which will be run the next Personally- 
Conducted Tour of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Washington. 
This tour will cover a period of three days, affording ample time 
to visit all the principal points of interest at the National Capital, 
including the Congressional Library and the new Corcoran Art 
(Gallery. Rate, covering railroad transportation for the round trip 
and hotel accommodations, $14.50 or $12 from New York, $13 or 
$10.50 from Trenton, and proportionate rates from other points, 
according to the hotel selected. Rates cover accommodations at 
hotel for two days. Special side trip to Mount Vernon. 
All tickets good for ten days, with special hotel rates after ex- 
piration of hotel coupon. 
Similar tours will be run on March 9 and 23, April 6 and 24, 
and May 18. 
For itineraries and full information apply to Ticket Agents; 
C. Studds, Eastern Passenger Agent, 263 Fifth avenue. New York; 
or address Geo. W. Boyd, General Passenger Agent, Broad Street 
Station, Philadelphia. — Adv. . 
Concerning Proctor's. 
Carlotta, "The Marvel," still thrills the big audiences at Mr. 
Proctor's Twenty-third Street Theatre with her death-defying 
plunge on a bicycle. She will remain at that house for three 
weeks longer, and no one should fail to see this demure young 
woman accomplish her remarkable feat. The name of "Carlotta" 
has already become a household word in New York and vicinity, 
and no one should miss seeing this really wonderful accomplish- 
ment. 
The stock company located at Proctor's Fifty-eighth Street 
Theatre, owing to its unparalleled success from the opening per- 
formance, is now a fixture. Only the most recent Broadway suc- 
cesses are being presented at this, the most beautiful of all the 
Proctor playhouses, and with the exceptionally strong organiza- 
tion which Mr. Proctor has gathered together, it is easily under- 
stood why they have launched into the tide of popularity so 
quickly. Another notable addition is about to be made to the 
company in the person of Mr. William Ingersoll, as leading man. 
His magnetic personality and excellent work are happily remem- 
bered by all the patrons of Mr. Proctor's 125th Street Theatre, 
where he was specially engaged for a number of weeks this sea- 
son. The informal receptions held by the ladies and gentlemen of 
the stock company on the stage after the Wednesday matinees at 
Mr. Proctor's 125th Street Theatre have become so popular that 
they have been inavigurated at the ' Fifty-eighth Street 'Theatre. 
These little social affairs will be carried on in the same delightful 
manner as at the 125th Street Theatre, with the exception that 
they will be held immediately after the play on Thursday after? 
noons, ipstead pf Wediiesdays, 
