FOREST AND STREAM 
285 
by seven lines of railroad and two of horso cars. The New 
Jersey Rifle Association finally decided in favor of the range 
at Elizabeth port, but the great advantages of the range at 
Bergen have induced several fine shots, including Maj. Henry 
Fulton, to organize an association under the general law 
authorizing rifle associations, passed at the last session of the 
New Jersey Legislature, for the purpose of securing the 
Bergen range. It is understood that the Erie Company will 
offer the new association the same terms as were offered to 
the New Jersey Rifle Association, and it now looks as though 
Creedmoor will have a formidable rival within easy access of 
New York, and officered by some of the best shots in the 
country. The range is 5,000 feet long, and lon^-range rifle 
shooting will be the principal feature. 
Fest Kalendeb.— Festefal halender and guide to the third 
meeting of the German Sharp Shooters’ Association of the 
United States, to commence June 17, 1878. Edited by A. Ap- 
pel, Manager of the Jersey Sharp Shooters’ Club, published 
by Cushing, Bardua & Co., New York. In a neat and com- 
prehensive book form Mr. Appel has issued a very thorough 
programme of the numerous matches to be held by our Ger- 
man friends. Mr. Appel’s book contains full information as 
to targets, the cost of entries, with the rules governing Ger- 
man target shooting, have been translated into English. The 
proceedings of each day have been carefully detailed and all 
points fully explained. Unexceptionable as to typographical 
neatness and general interest, Mr. Appel's book will serve as 
a guide, and will be kept as a memento of this leading event 
in the rifle annals of the United States. 
Simultaneous Tblborabhio Matoii. —May 8, by the Geo 
H. Thomas Post, G. A. R. Rifle Club, of Chicago, and the 
Warren, 111., Rifle Club. Teams of six men each, each to 
have two sighting and ten scoring shots, off-hand, twenty-five 
yards range, at a reduced Creedmoor target : 
CHICAGO TEAM. 
Capt J C Borcherdt. . . 0 6 6 6 5 4 4 
capt F W BorclicrUt — 5 6 4 4 4 4 4 
W H Chonoweth .6 6 4 5 4 4 4 
SM Tyrrell 4 4 6 ft 6 0 4 
BJQleaaou 6 6 2 6 4 6 4 
Col LU Drury 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 
Total 268 
WARREN TEAM. 
FS Spafard 44 
N B Boat 44 
H W Foss 42 
J C Woodworth 41 
A II Tatteu 40 
FH Cole 87 
Total 24S 
Colorado — Denver, May 2. — Telegraphic match between 
the Denver Rifle Club and the Avoca. Teams of four men, 
ten shots each at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. The Denver men 
won with a score of 513, against 480 made by the Avoca men. 
We give the Denver score : 
800.. . 6 6 6 6 4 6 4 6 4 6—47) 
CGove. 900 6 6 4 4 5 4 6 3 4 6 — 44^-134 
1 1,000 0 66544666 6—13 
( S00....4 46663453 4—12 
Wm Bemrose -< 900....5 6 6 4 3 4 4 6 5 6 — IS 
(1,000 4 3 4 4 4 5 0 5 3 4—36 
800.. .. 4 45666554 5—47 
4—15 
4—13 
4—43 
4-43 
4- 43 
5— 41 
M Spangler 9O0 6 63563065 4— 40)- 128 
1 1,000 6 35344364 6—41 
800... 6 4 5 6 6 4 6 6 4 5—47, 
F Church -4 900.... 6 55604344 6 — 40 V 128 — 613 
(1,000.... 6 44660464 6— 11 ) 
THE SPORTING RIFLE.— No. 3. 
I suggested at the conclusion of my last communication 
that the trajectory of the bullet of a sporting rifle might be 
determined with sufficient accuracy for practical purposes 
by its power of penetration, which, of course, must repre- 
sentthe ratio of velocity and weight. 1 neglected to state 
in the illustration which I gave, however, that the bullet 
was of soft lead, which is an essential point, as the penetra- 
tion is very greatly increased by usiDg hardened bullets. 
With the same gun and charge there described, I have shot 
a bullet having a hardened end, through seventeen inches of 
green cedar. 
With increase of calibre, and such changes of ammuni- 
tion as are incident thereto, the conditions are different, and 
must, of course, be gauged by a different standard. 
The question of calibre is one of greater importance in the 
choice of a rifle for shooting game than most people attach 
to it. The larger the calibre the greater must be the size 
and weight of every cartridge, and in the aggregate of a full 
supply of ammunition the difference is by no means trifling. 
With increase of calibre, the charge of powder must be in- 
creased, in ordeT to overcome the greater atmospheric re- 
sistance and secure an equal initial velocity. But the in- 
creased charge and greater atmospheric resistance also 
cause a more severe recoil, and if we attempt with a large 
bore to increase the range by using a long bullet, the recoil 
is speedily increased beyond endurance. 
It is obviously desirable, therefore, that the calibre should 
be no larger than is absolutely essential to the work to be 
done. But, on the other hand, there are necessities con- 
nected with that question which cannot safely be ignored. 
The difference in stunning and fatal effect of a bullet of 
large diameter presenting a broad striking surface, as com- 
pared with one of smaller calibre, or of a conical shape, is 
such as no person could conceive of who had not witnessed 
it. A small bullet, or a pointed bullet, inflicts a wound like 
the thrust of a sword, which even, if ultimately fatal, may 
serve only at first to infuriate the recipient, leaving him 
enough vital power to be very mischievous, or to make his 
escape, while a large bullet, with spherical or flattened end, 
inflicts a blow like a hammer, which deprives the beast of 
power or will to do ought but lie down and die. 
If I were going expressly in pursuit of very large, and 
possibly dangerous game, and especially in dense forest, 
where there would be little chance of getting a long shot 
(as for instance, for moose, caribou or bear iu the woods of 
Maine), I would prefer as large a calibre as half an inch, 
but for any ordinary service, even with a probability of an 
occasional encounter with the larger animals, I would carry 
nothing larger than a 4-10 or 44-100 calibre, which is a 
much pleasanter size to use, and is more reliable for any- 
thing beyond fifty or seventy-five yards. I should always 
use cylindrical rather than conical bullets, however, with 
spherical or flattened end, and would always be provided 
with cartridges loaded with hard-headed bullets for emer- 
gencies. Of the effect of these bullets I shall have more to 
say hereafter iu connection with the subject of explosive 
bullets. 
The opinion is still widely prevalent that a long barrel Is 
essential to eflective service, and the majority even of ex- 
perienced sportsmen would probably select a barrel of not 
ess thau 28 or 30 inches for indiscriminate service. 
I began my rifle practice iu 1835, with a rifle made by 
Dickson, of Louisville, Ky., whose reputation at that day 
was certainly second to that of no maker in the West. The 
gun I selected with his aid and advice weighed 14J lbs. 
The barrel was 35 inches in length, aod the calibre 50 round 
bullets to the pound, and that gun I owned and used for 
many years on the prairies of the West, the forests of 
Indiana, the mountains of Pennsylvania, and the pine woods 
of Northern Muine. I have carried it many thousand, miles 
on horseback, on foot, and on snow-shoes, and had such evi- 
dence of its efficiency on more thau one occasion, when I 
could almost say that my life depended on its powers, thut 
my confidence in its value made me indifferent to the labor 
its transportation involved. 
I now use a rifle weighing but little more than 6 pounds, 
with a barrel ouly 20 inches in length. In appearance it is 
like a mere toy in comparison with the ponderous weapon 
which for so many years was my constant couipuuion, yet 
for any possible service for which a riflo might be wauled, 
it is so far superior to it that I should feel comparatively 
helpless if forced to return to my former weapon. 
It is fully equal to the standard of accuracy and force 
which I have shown to be sufficient for the requirements of 
sporting service. I have repeatedly placed ten shots in suc- 
cession inside of a six-inch ring at 200 yards, and have shot 
a soft lead bullet through eight inches of pine at 30 yards. 
I have only occasionally tested it at very long ranges, but 
have found no difficulty in making an average of 40 out of a 
possible 50 at 500 yards, or in making a bull’s-eye at least 
once out of every three shots at 800 yards. I mean, of course, 
shooting with a rest, simply to test the gun. 
In actual game shooting, I have made my full share of 
those extraordinary shots with which every experienced 
rifleman is familiar, which surprise the shooter quite as 
much as arfybody else. 
Thus, I once cut the neck of a bittern at 150 yards, when 
I could see only the head and an inch or two of the neck 
above the swumn grass in which he stood. I shot a wild 
goose at, 400 yards, and I picked off the leader of a flock of 
six wild ducks, flying at least 100 feet above the ground, 
and at considerable distance from me. I have kn >wn many 
instances of deer shot with rifles of the sume pattern and 
size, the bullet passing clean through them and breaking 
bones in its passage; of the back-bone of a buffalo being cut 
in two, and the animal instantly killed ; and of the brain of 
an alligator being pierced, though the bullet struck at such 
an angle as to cut a long gash in the skin before passing 
through the skull. 
These evidences of accuracy and force, the truth of which 
I have proved to my own satisfaction, and can easily de- 
monstrate to any doubter, leave no room for question that a 
barrel of 20 inches is quite sufficient for sporting service, 
and indeed is equal in every respect to any gun of the same 
calibre, using the same weight of powder and lead. And 
this being the case, its obvious advantages in ease of trans- 
portation and manipulation over a longer and heavier 
weapon require no comment With the barrel removed 
from the stock, which may be done in a moment, the whole 
may be packed in a valise. A shot barrel or a spare rifle 
barrel of different calibre may be carried, slung by one’s 
side, and can he instantly substituted if occasion requires, 
and thus the sportsman may be armed for any possible ser- 
vice without carrying more weight than that of tbe ordinary 
single rifle. 
To people accustomed to greater length, however, the ob- 
jection to so short a weapon is the difficulty of getting a 
steady sight. The common remark is that it seems too much 
like a pistol, and they cannot feel confidence in the efficiency 
of a weapon which to all appearance is so insignificant. I 
know by experience that a very little practice will overcome 
this feeling, but it is so prevalent, and so firmly established 
in the minds of sportsmen, that I rarely venture to advise a 
stranger to procure a rifle with a shorter barrel than 20 
inches, which makes the total length about three and a half 
feet. Even this seems to most men a rather insignificant 
weapon, but they may rest assured that nothing is to be 
gained in a sporting rifle of that calibre by any additional 
length or weight. If they think the saving of a pound or 
two in the weight of their equipments is not a matter that is 
worthy of their consideration, I can only say that my experi- 
ence has led me to a different conclusion. No lesson has 
been more strongly impressed upon me in the course of an 
education of many years of rough service, under greatly 
varying circumstances, than the importance of limiting one 8 
outfit to the simplest possible forms that are available for 
effective work, and especially with regard to the gun and its 
necessary equipments, which must be carried on the person, 
ready for instant use, and subject to all the exposure and 
rough handling which are of necessity incident to such ser- 
vice. Whatever may be the physical strength, activity and 
endurance of the hunter, it behooves him to economize the 
load he has to carry, by omitting everything that is not 
essential, and reducing its weight and size to the last ounce 
and inch. If anyone is inclined to think lightly 
of my words, I will only ask him to call them to mind 
about the time he draws near camp after a day’s moose 
hunting on snow shoes. H. W. 8. C. 
gfachimg and Routing. 
HIGH WATER FOR THE WEEK. 
Date. 
Boston. 
New York. 
Char It* ton 
Mar 17 
il. 
I). 
M. 
n. 
>1 . 
M 
8 27 
7 
59 
May 18 
27 
9 
IU 
S 
6U 
Muv 19 
1 
19 
10 
10 
9 
S7 
May 90 • 
2 
IU 
11 
11 
19 
28 
May a» 
9 
69 
M 
11 
IT 
May 22 
3 
•to 
0 
20 
M 
May 23 
41) 
1 
14 
0 
S3 
Sharp Shooting.— Capt. Bogardus and Dr. Carver have 
been exhibiting their skill together at Chicago. Dr. Carver, 
to show the rapidity with which he could hre, shot toward 
some piles in the lake, about four hundred yards away, and so 
quickly did the shots follow each other that the second ball 
had left the gun before the first struck, as could be seen by 
the plash of the bullet in the water. Capt. Bogardus also did 
some very fine shooting with his shot-gun, and thoroughly as- 
tonished himself and every one else by making one of the 
most difficult shots made dining the day with a rifle. A ball 
was thrown swiftly away from him, and he broke it with a 
bullet at probably sixty yards. 
Modern Observations on Rifle Shooting.— W c beg to 
acknowledge from Mr. Edwin A. Perry bis improved system 
of score-book, with the silicate slates for use on the ranee. 
We shall he glad to give this most useful score-book a more 
extended notice in a subsequent issue. Orders may be sent 
either to the publisher in New York, or to Mr. E. H. MadiJ 
son, 504 Fulton street, Brooklyn. 
YACHTING NEWS. 
Harlem Yachting Matters.— 1 The Empire club-house bus 
recently como into new hands, and iu conjunction with the 
efforts of tho officers of the club we are assured that times 
will be lively in tho aquatic circles, which make this place 
their headquarters. On the Harlem River there will he, apart 
from the regular regatta, au additional race for a challenge 
cup offered by the Empire’s for competition, open to all boats 
under 21 ft., belonging to their own or any other club. Near- 
ly all the craft of the club aro overhauling for tho spring, 
many being already afloat. The Emma D. belonging to 
Messrs. Dowling & Ruth, is in the hands of her captain under- 
going preparations for an active racing seasou. She has licon 
burnt off and will have her bottom smoothed in ordor to meet 
Cora D. in the match for the silver cup. The Emma was 
21 ft. 6 iu. long, but has had hor length ovor all reduced to 
19 ft. 11J iu. so as to bring her into the special class fur lengths 
under 20 ft. as stipulated iu tho club's by-laws. Sbe lias al- 
ways been considered about the fastest bout of her iuches iu 
her waters, and it remains to he seen to what exteut tho altera- 
tions will affect her going qualities this season- No doubt 
much of her former success was due to the thorough manner 
in which she was “tooled" by her captulu, Mr. lid. 1). Mc- 
Manus and his regular crew. He has sailed the craft so long 
that she seems to come natural to him, and if there Is any 
more speed to bo got out of hor at any lima I 10 is sure to make 
the most of it with half a spoko more helm or an inch or two 
of sheet. The sloop Inspector, 8 . Gordon owner, has had 
more muslin given her, and now sports u mainsail of about 39 
ft. hoist and a voritublo California "big tree” to hang it on to. 
She was built to heat the Pluck and Luck, but tho latter hav- 
ing taken wings and departed for a warmer clime, Mr, Gor- 
don will have to console himself with showing his wake to 
other smart ones that are still left, among them the new 25 ft 
flyer Mr. John Farrell has in hand at 80th street. Ah she Is 
to hoist the Empire's pennant, there will be lots yet to do for 
Mr. Gordon. In the mutch on Juuc 18 there will lie many 
notable craft whose colors will be hoisted at the peak when 
crossing the line. There will be tho O' linen, Bosnia, 1'luy 
Ugly (euphonious name!), Fleming and others from Wil- 
liamsburg; Tough from Jersey City ; tho Varian, Jr,, and 
Skip Jack, Mr. Brnssington owner, of tho Manhattan Club ; 
the Mollie Baum and another crack from Flushing, and two 
new flyers from the shops of Decker and Kyle on tuc Harlem. 
Besides these many others from abroad Lave promised to put 
in an appearance, and these iu addition to tho usual quota of 
the club proper will form us big a fleet as ever hoisted canvas 
under the auspices of tho Empires. “Oldl’rob." should 
give them a tine day and a spanking breeze, so tlmt tho match 
uiay result in a manner worthy of the energy and enterprise 
displayed in its organization by those iu charge. The cabin 
sloops Belle Bean and Tlws. Elf more will come together in the 
first-class for cabin bouts, and there iu also some talk of mulch- 
ing Mollie Baum of Flushing, aguinst the Harlem pet, Emma J). 
It ib also proposed to send some clippers up the Hudson to 
give the Newburg natives a warming on July the 4th. To 
this end a member of tho Empire Club has proffered his steam 
launch as a towboat for the occasion, uml the Sophia Emma 
and Emma D. have accepted the kind tender, while others 
will join them in time. In this connection we may refer both 
to the sailing committees of the Newburg and Now York Buy 
Regattas, a point which tho Empire’s claim rather works 
against their interests, and diminishes the number of boats 
they otherwise would send to tho start in both those cveuts. 
We refer to the classification adopted by the committees in 
question. In tho Bay Regatla only mainsuils aro allowed in 
the class under 20 ft., while the Empire's can muster us smart 
11 fleet of jib and mainsailB under tbut length os one would euro 
to see. Naturally enough, ns exceedingly uctivo devotees of 
the sport, they do not cure to remain at their moorings and 
see the cats have all tbe fun and glory to themselves, so they 
raise their voice in supplication foru change in the classifica- 
tion adopted. It remains, of course, with Ihc sailing com- 
mittees to consider whether the Empire's wish to enter jib and 
mainsails under 20 ft. can bo compiled with, or whether such 
permission would tend to introduce too muny subdivisions. 
But no doubt the matter will receive full consideration on the 
part of the committee, regardless of what their final conclu- 
sion may be. Concerning the Newburg classification they 
complain that craft of their size have been so far left out ffi 
the cold, or must sail in a class so much lurgcr as to be mani- 
festly to their disadvantage. Thus the lines liuve been diawn 
at everything over 30 ft., then from 30 to 25 ft., from 25 to 23 
ft., and 23 to 2l ft. Anything under that must presumably 
enter in the last -mentioned class or huul down their racing 
colors. We understand that the owner of the famous Brown, 
of Newburg, looks with favor upon the formation of an ad- 
ditional class, and so there seems some chance of the smaller 
jib-and-mainsails sailing by themselves for a cup in their own 
division. 
The Empire Club is fortunate in the location of its club, 
house. On the New York side, opposite Ward’s Island, the 
cove below affords a sheltering harbor und aucliorage cleur of 
all steamboat travel, while the view from tho pier leaves 
nothing to he desired. The fresh green of the islunds brought 
out against the ibluish-gray tints of the sky to the northward, 
und the Big and Little Mill Rocks on to the Southward, with 
Hallet’s Point to the eastward, inclosing a stretch of water, 
form as pretty and charming a picture as one cun wish for. 
But not only in beauty, but alHo in usefulness, does the locali- 
ty excel. It is a splendid place to start sailing aud fishing 
parties from for a trip up the Sound. There is College Point, 
Fort Schuyler, Sand’s Point, Pelbawville, of coaching fume, 
and many other spolB of interest to the suburban tourist, at 
which he will find shade and refreshment, und the bass and 
blueflsh running thick. Bouts, lines and bait aro to be had 
z* a t club-house, and a few minutes’ chat with such veto ran 
