338 
MINUTES OF PKOCEEDINGS OF 
of a shot of mean gauge is 29*91 square inches, leaving a mep space for the 
escape of gas of 2*01 square inches, or *063 of the area, to which would be 
added, by the grooving under the different systems, the following quantities 
nearly 
Table XI. 
Name 
of 
competitor. 
Added by 
grooving. 
Total 
windage for 
round shot. 
Name 
of 
competitor. 
Added by 
grooving. 
Total 
windage for 
round shot. 
Lancaster ... 
sq. in. 
2-955 
4-96 
Jeffery . 
sq. in. 
1-14 
3-15 
Haddan. 
1-37 
3-38 
Britten. 
1-00 
3-01 
French . 
1-36 
3-37 
Shunt . 
'67 
2'68 
Thomas. 
1-26 
3-27 
Scott . 
•53 
2-54 
The great disadvantage of the oval bore in this particular is apparent at once ; 
it has, however, the merit of not being liable to any irijury by the use of 
round shot. 
21. The Committee conceive that the invitation to certain gentlemen to 
compete against one another, to produce the best method of rifling cast-iron 
guns, renders it necessary that they should specify who has in their opinion 
been most successful, whether his plan is or is not carried out. They have 
no hesitation in awarding the first place to Mr Bashley Britten, on the ground 
of the comparatively little strain on the gun, caused by projectiles on his 
system, with the moderate charge he advocates, as shown by the great 
endurance of a large number of guns rifled for him, and by the high initial 
velocity attained. In point of accuracy, this system appears to be on the 
whole equal to that of any other of the competitors, although occasionally 
liable to wild shots. It is inferior to the shunt mode of rifling, and to the 
Trench system. 
22. The Committee reject Mr Jeffery's system, considering the form of 
rifling as inferior to Mr Britten's, and because this gun, and several others 
rifled on the same system, have shown a want of endurance. 
The competitive rifled 32-pr., No. 8460, burst at the 363rd round. 
(Exptl, No. 92). 
A gun of 24-pr. bore, in 56-pr. block, rifled in 1856, burst in 29 rounds, 
with charge of 13*5 lbs., shell 53*5 lbs. 
Three of the guns of small calibre, rifled in 68-pr. blocks by order of 
Major-General Peel in 1859, have burst; although, like the 56-pr., of extra¬ 
ordinary weight in comparison with their calibre, viz 
No. 94, 6-375 in. calibre, twist T lo , burst 5th February, 1862 (Min. 6234), at the 40th round; 
charge, ’8 lbs. 
No. 95, 5-in. calibre, twist A,, burst 1st August, 1862 (Min. 7186), at 121st round; charge, 
5 lbs. 4 oz. This was originally a 3-in. gun, then bored up to 4 in., and subsequently to 
6 in. 
No. 96, 6”375 in. calibre, twist so, burst 5th May, 1862 (Min. 6131), at the 20th round; 
charge, 8 lbs. 
