316 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
in the grooves, whereas the bore of the breech-loader was uninjured in that 
respect.* 
The deterioration of the bore, being more closely connected with the 
question of endurance, will be further noticed in the 14th division of the 
trials. The scoring in the muzzle-loader would not it appears, have been 
near so great if wads had been used throughout, as they were in the latter 
part of the firing. 
(2) Initial Velocity and Retardation . 
The initial velocity was calculated from the observations made with 
Navez’ apparatus in the usual manner. The retardation or loss of velocity 
was ascertained by using two of Navez* instruments together, and observing 
the velocities of the same shot at two points of the trajectory ; one near the 
muzzle of the gun, and the other at 800 yards further off. The difference 
between the two observations showed how much velocity was lost in passing 
through the intermediate distance. 
The following table shows the results of five good observations with each 
nature of projectile:— 
Projectile. 
Initial velocity. 
Loss of velocity. 
Remarks. 
B.L. 
M.L. 
B.L. 
M.L. 
Solid sliot. 
1246 
1356 
190 
247 
Segment shell. 
1248 
1356 
189 
247 
Common shell. 
1238 
1358 
184 
238 
do . 
1319 
... 
... 
... 
If lb. charge. 
It will be observed that the initial velocity of the muzzle-loader is the 
greater of the two. The retardation is also greater, but does not make up 
for the difference until the range becomes very long. 
The second velocity shown with common shell from the breech-loader was 
obtained by raising the firing charge from to If lb., the same amount 
as was used for the muzzle-loading gun. 
(3) Accuracy . 
At ranges Hot exceeding 900 yards the hits on targets 9 feet square were 
found to give a fair record of the practice, but at longer ranges, when the 
targets were occasionally missed, a different mode of proceeding had to be 
adopted in order that the proper value might be assigned to shots which 
failed to hit the object aimed at. 
The plan followed by the Committee was to deduce the accuracy, by 
means of calculation, from the shots fired to ascertain the ranges. The line 
* Report, pi 19 i 
