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J-Qiie 19 
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E.\GLISII GIX TRIALS. 
BT HECAPPER. 
The employment in the “b'le'd'’ gun trial lately held 
in England, and also in the recent less important pow- 
der tests made in this country, of the old erroneous sys- 
tem for measuring the force of shot bj- means of paper 
pad targets has induced me to send you the following 
article, the principal portion of which was written and 
intended for publication though never sent, about the 
time of Ihe^Turf, Field and Farm" gun trial Sept., 
1873. 
How to best determine and compare the relative 
shooting powers of shot-guns has been a long discussed 
problem; hardly a single late issue of those papers de- 
voted to the interests of shooting can be looked over 
without finding something concerning it. and yet the 
number of persons who have interested themselves suffi- 
ciently in the question to make experiments upon it is 
very limited, and though various methods have been 
tried, some condemned and others adopted, nothing 
that I am aware of has yet been made public which mav’ 
be relied upon as correct. A principal reason for the 
numerous errors and irregularities is an insufficient in- 
quiry into the relations of cau.se and effect, for in 
scareel}’ any investigation is a knowledge of causes 
more essential than in conducting experiments in gun- 
nery. “Greener” in “Gut ner}" in 1858" asserted what 
he thought had been proved by experiment to be a fact, 
though contrary to his own preconceived opinion and 
out of his power to give the reasons for, that the ve- 
locity of a rifle ball increases after it leaves the muzzle 
of the rifle up to 190 yards or thereabouts, when it 
graduall}' decreases. This assertion has been copied 
and endorsed by several authors who believe in it simply 
because “Greener” said so. Xo one of them offers a 
reason therefor, but all say it is undeniably a fact, be- 
cause in a certain experiment the depth of penetration 
of the projectile was found to increase up to that dis- 
tance when it gradually became less as the distance was 
further increased. The effect I admit, but what an ab- 
surd deduction is made therefrom. 
It is a law in this material world that no moving body 
can of itself increase its motion. It may impart to 
other bodies a part or the who’ e of its motion, bat just 
the amount it imparts it loses. It cannot give to others 
and still retain all of its own. When a projectile leaves 
the muzzle of a gun it has a certain variable amount of 
f irce imparted to it by the explosion of the gunpowder. 
Zsow’ if this projectile met with no resistance it would 
travel forever, it being another law of nature that no 
body in motion has in itself the power to reduce or stop 
that motion, but as soon as the power increining the ve- 
locity of a projectile is taken from it, it begins to lose 
Its motion from the direct resistance and friction of the 
atmosphere, to each particle of which with which it 
comes in contact it imparts some of its own motion, 
and this alone would he sufficient in a short time to 
bring it to a state of complete rest. For these reasons, 
if there is no extraneous force applied (which is too ab- 
surd to be stipposable) the velocity of a projectile must 
be le.ss at 100 yards than at any preceding point in its 
flight. The .simple reason of its increased penetration 
is the stability of another law of motion that time i.s re- 
quired to impart motion, or in other words, to over- 
come inertia. At di.stances less than 190 yards, the ve 
lot ity was so great that sutficient time was not given to 
communicate the motion of the projectile to the part ides 
of wood resisting, and as a consequence the force re- 
acted upon its vehicle, the projectile, so suddenly as to 
destroy the position of its panicles and cause it to as- 
sume a larger surface to be resisted upon in its funher 
passage, and, the larger the surface, the greater the re- 
sistance, and consequently the less the penetration. 
Had the savans who conducted these experiments gone 
further they would have found tue point for greatest 
penetration dependent upon the tenacity and form of 
the projectile and tiie nature of the object resisting as 
well as upon the velocity. From the above it i* ob- 
vious the simple depth of penetration in a target where 
the reactionary force is sufficient to destroy the original 
shape of the projectile can never be taken as a reliable 
index of its force. 
Let us apply this theory to the system of measure- 
ment employed at the late gun trials. If, in those trials 
the pellets of shot which have struck the Pettit pad (as 
the targets in use are called) are examined, they will be 
found much flattened and misshapen, and those least so, 
will have penetrated farthest. In actual experiment, 
w.,h a charge of 3 drs. powder, and 1 1-4 oz. shot, 37 
sheets were penetrated with G drs. of powder other con- 
ditions the s,amc, only 23 sheets were penetrated but the 
pellets of shot in the latter case were flattened to almost 
doable the diameter of thi.sc which made the deeper 
penetration, but whether the reasons I would ascribe 
for these effects may or may not be correct, the broad 
facts are in no wise altered and no greater proof of the 
inaccuracy of tiie system can be required. 
The efficiency of a force is estimated by the amount 
of resistance it can overcome, or the worK it can do and 
in order to compare different forces we must have a 
unifoim unit of work. Xow the targets used in the 
gun trials referred to, are of a comnound nature, paper 
with an iron backing. “But, no!” some may say, “the 
paper is the target and upon the paper alone is the pen- 
etration made and recorded.” Ah, yes, this is where 
the penetration is recorded certainly, but the vast 
amount of force which is checked from the further pen- 
etration by the superior resistance of the iron is not 
recorded and here another error lies By the trial re- 
ports we are told the whole number of sheets opposed 
(forty) are sometimes penetrated by one or two pellets. 
Xow, unless tlie iron backing is also indented (which 
we are not inf.nmed of) this is impossible, provided the 
paper had is |)Iaccd solidly and smoothly against it as we 
are assured it was intended to be, and so we must infer 
that the nature of the resistance sometimes varied too 
through neglect or inability to coiiipl}' with this regula- 
tion. This conclusion is str. ngihencd by an observa- 
tion of the striking difference in penetration displayed 
by the same gun at diflerent discharges Let us take 
for instance the gun entered by Mr. Hast of Colchester, 
in the field trial of 1866. A' the first shot with the 
right barrel 32 sheets weie penetrated, the second 23, 
the third only 15, while at the fourth 23 was again 
scored. I leave the reader to draw his own inferences. 
In the sinisll space here allowed me, it is impossible to 
deal minutely, and at leng'h with a subject which in- 
volves so many considerations. All I liaid; attempted 
is to show' that the present system for measuring the 
relative shooting powers of shot g'ans, affords no means 
of arriving at any satisfactory conclusion. It only re- 
mains for me to suggest a method which I bdieve will 
be found to iiieet all requirem -ms with little complica- 
tion and expense an 1 at the same time give results 
which may be depended upon us sufficiently exact for 
all practicable purposes, and in accordance with the 
immutable laws of forces. 
Our first desideratum is to provide fi resistance which 
shall never at any one time be sufficiently powerful to 
destroy the original shape of thepeilet resisted; Si’cond, 
one which shall be uniform and of the same character 
at all times, and third one which w ill record in compu- 
table shape the whole amount of force expended. A 
target which will answer these requirements wiih neces- 
sary exactne.ss may be coistructed of thin sheets of 
pasteboard, placed singly in a rack immediately behind 
each other, a; a distance of 2 or 3 inches apart. Each 
sheet is thus acted upon separately, the resistance 
opposed bj' each is practically the same, and from an 
observation of the number of sheets perforated bj' each 
pellet, a computison of their striking powers can be 
made. IViih such targets correct comparisons of striking 
force may be made between breech and muzzle-loaders, 
coarse and fine powers, porvdersof different makes and 
brands, large and .small shot at different ranges, and 
many othercircumsiaac.es of greater or less importance 
which have hitherto been mere matters of conjecture, 
can now be ascertained and the knowlege thus acquired 
applied to practical and profitable use. 
In regard to the pattern or distribution of shot I 
shall have something to say hereafter. 
The Soi'THERX Michigan Shooting Clits. — At the 
regular meeting, held May 31, 1875, by a unanimous 
vote of the members, the club name was changed to the 
“Rod and Gun Club” of Hudson. The object of 
the change was, there were man}' lovers of the rod 
that would be a valuable addition to the club, who, 
under ihe old name, were excluded, and knowing that 
a large club is belter than a small one, wisely changed 
the name. The Rod and Gun Club of Hudson ex- 
tend a beany invitation to all lovers of field and stream 
sports, and to farmers and others who have a desire to 
pro'ect game an * fish, and prevent the destruction of 
insectivoroii-s birds, to join with fhein, and thereby help 
to promote such friendly intercourse as will be of bene- 
fit lo all. The following are tbs officers elected ft r the 
ensuing jear: President, Hon. Henry C. Hall; Y. 
I'res., Prof. A. H. Boies; Sec., Prof. B. A. Finney; 
I Treas., Major A. Underhill, Board of Directors — Dr. 
[ J. B. AVelch, Gen. IVeykotf, Rev. E F. Daniels. 
THE AORTII WOaDS CF AIAI.\E-\0. 10. 
BY G. T. RTDLOX. 
It wa« early winter — the enow was net deep— when “ Uncle John 
Whitney,” who then lived near the forest, shouldered his axe and 
bear-trap and struck into the woods. He had frequently taken deer 
by setting a heavy steel -trap In the snow among the branches of a 
fallen tree, a tree felled green for the deer to browse. After finding a 
thick limbed yellow-birch he felled it and setting a pry over the 
strong springs of the trap, placed it among the branches of the tree. 
Next morning, Whitney followed his track back to the place where 
he had set his trap the previous day; and what was his surprise, 
when he came in sight to see a large “bell-moose” in the trap! 
Taming about he hastened home, and taking a small gun, accom- 
pauied by his nephew, with an axe, he returned to secure his game. 
Now, “Uncle Jim” was not a daring hunter, and never exposed him- 
9 slf to danger intentionally, except in rare circumstances. But 
“tteve,” his nephew, was a reckless, adventuresome fellow, and 
never waited to count cost, he would rush into danger head-long 
and run the risk of “saving his bacon.” 
When they had reached the place where the trap was set the 
moose had moved away, and could he seen staading some distance 
M a piece of meadow-land. As soon as he caught sighf of bis pur- 
• sars, he raistdhis head and bcllowe l lustily; this frightened Uncle 
9 ^, and calling upon Steve to follow, be went bftch as fast as his 
I« 9 i would carry him. “Come along with me. tteve,” said he, 
“toa't ye know there's no each dangerous critier in all the Nor** 
wuad o'Maine, as a bull-moose when at bay.'* “ Nu,** said bteve, “I 
«kai! never go back without the moose; so give me your gun, and I 
will go on alone.'* “Now you'r just like a puppy Steve, because 
you don't know noihcn, you don't fear notben; and you shan't hev 
the gun neither, cause ye'r not 'quainted w ith the gnu ** But seeing 
the persistency of his nephew, and fearing that he might get killed 
if he suffered him to proceed alone, he turned reluctantly and fol- 
lowed the lad. The !• g of the moose was bleeding profusely, and 
they found no difficulty in following bis tracks for he sprinkled the 
snow at every step. The moose drove on until he was-weary, and 
then, wonld occasionally stop to rest until his pursuers came in 
sight, then snorting madly, he would make his way through the 
tangled swamps, over rough rocky ground, covered with wind-falls, 
and through the heavy timber. The bear-trap w hich weighed 30 
pounds was on his fore-leg, and in going through the heavy growth 
he cut the bark from the trees with it at every step. He frequently 
went over wind-falls which were nearly high eneiigh for him to go 
under: and as a moose never jumps (they always move with a swag- 
gering trot, one can form some estimate of his strength. They fol- 
lowed on UDiil ibc moose crossed a large brook, vyhen coming to the 
bank. Uncle Jim thought tluy c«juld not cross, and auvised to turn 
homeward. But SUve, zealous for the fray, felled cedar across the 
stream, and going over himself he iir^ed his uncle forward. 
“Here's where the old fellow laid down,” said bteve, “and we'll 
soon hev him, he's gitttng mighty tired, and w ill soon give under; 
come on Uncle Jim, don't back out now.” 
And so they followed on, and were frequently encouraged by find- 
ing places where the moose had lain down to rest, and by finding 
quite quantities of blood upon the snow. These served to inspire 
Steve with new courage, and although Uncle Jim frequently de- 
clared he would go no funher. Steve wo-ild not stop and he was 
soon to follow. After following the track for some six or seven 
miles, they came to a branch of the Penobscot river; and looking 
down the stream they saw the moose swimming down ia the quick 
current.” 
•‘It s no use to go on now. Steve,** p.vid Uncle Jim, “he's out 
o'reacn o'the gun, and if I shoot him we can't git the carcass no 
how, sanin.” ’’Yes, we can get him, Uncle Jim,” said Steve, run* 
niag down the bank to head off the moose, *‘come along dowm here 
and shoot him or jess let me hev yer old gun, and I'll kill kim.” 
“Now Sieve, didn't 1 tell ye, long ago, ye don't be 'quainted wi’ the 
gun?” said Jim. 
When the moose saw “Steve” on the bank below him, he turned 
his bead up the stream and reaching a shallow place stood there 
snorting and bellowing hideously, and frightening old Whitney 
almost out of his senses. 
“There, now. Uncle Jim. we will hev him right away, and no mis- 
take; come down here now and take good aim and shoot him 
through the heart,” said the younger Wuitney. But the old man 
was very much excited and bis hand trembled so much that be could 
not tiold the gun steady. Steve wanted to take the gun, but his 
■ nclc declared he wasn't “'quainted wi* the gun,” and persisted in 
a trial himself. The result was, that the ball entered the neck just 
under the mane. When the moose was hit he inflated bis huge noa- 
trils and raising bis bead high in the air blcAv such an unearthly 
blast with his trumpet that the woods echoed again and again, and 
“Uncle Jim” made for the timber as though he w a# commissioned 
with a death-warrant. Never turning to look back, he continued to 
•cream: “Come on, come on, Steve, come quick; 1 tell ye he'll hev 
us now, sartin; come on!” Bnt SteA'e didn't budge a hair. “No, I 
shan't,” was the reply; “give me your gun and I'Jl bit him.** By 
this time the old man had reached an eminence where he could see 
the moose, and finding himself unharmed, took a survey of their 
^surroundings; and after mach entreaty went back to try again. 
His bands trembled so that he could not carry the pOAvder from the 
horn to his gun when endeavoring to reload, but scattered it upon 
the snow. But after many unsuccessful attempts the piece was 
loaded again, and ue approached the bank for a shot. 
“Now. Uncle Jim,” said Steve, “you won't hit him; your'etoo 
scared; see bow 3^00 tremble. Come along down here; here's the 
place. There now. you can't shoot so; see bow yon shake. Git 
down on 3 'our knees; there now, put it in just ahind his shoulder.” 
After much in strcction and many cautions, the old man got in posi- 
tion and palled the trigger. .This time the w'ork was done; the ball 
entered near the heart. The moose threw his head back toward^e 
woand and fell over dead. They now cut down a large treked 
making a rude raft poled out to the carcass, and towed it ^ore. 
The night was now coming on. and the cold becoming mere ^tense. 
Uncle Jim adAised to return home and come after the next 
morning; but Steve aaos afraid some beast would gna^^^e hide, 
and refused to leave it. and As hile the old man waSyA®P^'Dg to 
camp down, he commenced a “beat" to walk in, and keep fron^ 
freezing. / 
