50 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
But independently of what has been stated, it is a question, whether, even 
if the “ stored-up work ” in two shot of the same diameter but of different 
weights be equal, the light shot from its greater velocity, would not be more 
effective in penetrating a material such as wrought-iron, than the heavy pro¬ 
jectile, on account of the work being less distributed over the shield with 
the former than with the latter.* 
There is however one important consideration which may, perhaps, give 
the system of rifle ordnance an advantage over that of smooth-bore and 
spherical shot even at short ranges. This consideration has reference to the 
form of that part of the projectile which first comes in contact with the 
opposing material and to the particular distribution of the metal of the shot. 
If the object be to pierce through the iron armour with the least expenditure 
of “ work/'’ it would manifestly appear advantageous to cut rather than break 
through (the reason of this is sufficiently obvious). Now this can, to a great 
extent, be accomplished with rifle projectiles by making the head of the shot, 
in the form of a punch, which has been actually done by Mr Whitworth 
with satisfactory results. 
Again, it may be possible so to distribute the material in a rifle projectile 
that it shall have an advantage over the spherical form with respect to the 
“ work done” on impact, on the projectile itself; this is an important point, 
for the “ work 33 actually absorbed in the striking body, that is to say, the 
“ work ” equivalent to the permanent injury sustained by it, is lost so far as 
regards the opposing shield. 
Although elongated shot, that is, shot greater in weight than the sphere 
of the same diameter, have been hitherto universally used with rifle ordnance ; 
still, with proper arrangements, in respect 
(1) To the degree of spiral in the bore, 
(2) To the material used in the manufacture of the projectiles; 
(3) To the proportional weights of charge and shot, combined with the 
sectional area acted upon by the exploded charge; 
(4) To the form of the front part of the shot; and lastly, to the particular 
distribution of the material in the shot,—the rifle system may have advant¬ 
ages over smooth-bore ordnance as regards penetration, even at short ranges. 
* In considering the effect of projectiles upon a material like wrought-iron, which offers so much 
greater resistance to penetration than an ordinary material as earth or masonry, we must bear in 
mind that, although, two projectiles of different weights will have equal effects on the target in 
respect to the product of the resistance overcome, into the distance through which the resistance 
acts on the impinging bodies, if there be the same amount of “ stored-up work ” in each; still there 
may be more destructive effect produced by the one shot than by the other, for “time” is an important 
element as regards destructive effect, particularly when the material has great elasticity and tenacity. 
In the case which has been considered, namely, the 150 lb. shot and the 300 lb. shot discharged from the 
same gun with equal charges, and where the “ stored-up work” is consequently the same in each, 
the heavy shot was longer in acquiring the “stored-up work” than the light shot,in the proportion 
of about 1-4 to 1, and the same resistance being offered when the two projectiles impinge on the 
target, the 300 lb. shot will therefore be a longer time in its action upon the target than the 
1501b. shot; under these circumstances the effect of the former will be extended over a larger area 
of the material than that of the latter, and may not, in certain cases, produce so much destruction. 
