THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
205 
with any vent, and the only apparent difference was in the velocity of the 
projectile. 
12. The Committee directed that the trial of the four last vents, viz. 
3, 4, 5, 6, should be continued with a larger-grained powder, or L.G. 
rifle powder. 
The results of the second series are given in the following table. 
Table YI. 
Abstract showing the velocity of solid spherical shot, fired with a charge of 
14 lbs. of L.Gr. rifle powder, from bronze 68-pr. block, bored to 42-pr. calibre. 
(Expl. No. 202). 
The cartridge was ignited in four different positions, as shown in the 
tracing. 
Mean weight of shot. 
. 41-03 lbs. 
„ diameter ,, . 
Length of cartridge . 
Brand of powder . 
. A 4 , 30/4/63, Lot 576. 
Charge... 
Date of experiment, 17/2/64. 
"3 
ffi 
> 
O 
6 
& 
No. of 
rounds. 
Observed velocities at 100 
feet from muzzle. 
Calculated 
mean 
initial 
velocity. 
Difference 
from 
greatest 
initial 
velocity. 
Remarks. 
Min. 
Max. 
Mean. 
ft. 
ft. 
ft. 
ft. 
ft. 
3 
5 
1726-0 
1778-2 
1747-5 
1794 
101 
1 
} 
4 
6 
1767-8 
1812-0 
1787-7 
1836 
69 
1 
No wads used. 
f-The cartridge was rammed up 
6 
5 
1820-4 
1862-1 
1845-4 
1895 
0 
1 
to the same place each round. 
6 
5 
1631*4 
1885-1 
1811-1 
1860 
35 
J 
The velocities with No. 6 vent, although high, are irregular. 
The gun was washed out every five rounds. 
Erom this table it appears that with rifle L.G., which is a larger-grained 
powder than the common L.G., the difference in velocity due to the point of 
ignition of the cartridge is more marked. 
No. 5 continues to hold the first place, and the difference between it and 
No. 3, or the service vent, is no less than 101 feet. 
It may also be observed that the velocities with all the vents are larger 
than those given in Table Y. 
13. As the Special Committee on Gunpowder had been carrying on 
experiments with a new class of powder, denominated “ pellet powder,” it 
was resolved to fire a few rounds with this powder in comparison with L.G. 
and rifle L.G* 
