410 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
12. The following Table shews the comparative facility offered by the 
form of groove for rifling on each system. 
Table VII. 
Nature of 
Rifling. 
No. of guns 
per week. 
Cost per 
gun. 
Scott’s. 
10 
£ s. 
4 5 
The number of guns per week being esti¬ 
mated for 10 rifling machines working 13 
hours per diem. The calculations are based 
also upon the present capabilities of the Royal 
Gun Factories. 
French . 
8 
5 8 
Shunt 6 grooves... 
Lancaster’s. 
4 
2* 
10 10 
17 10 
13. The shooting qualities of these guns are so nearly alike that the 
Committee feel that they may rest their recommendation of the one or the 
other system upon other and more general considerations, and they have 
finally determined to record their unanimous opinion in favour of the so- 
called French system ; 1st, because of the simplicity of its studding on the 
projectiles; 2ndly, the simplicity of the grooving of the gun; and 3rdly, from 
a disposition to admit the advantages of an increasing over a uniform spiral, 
which has been strengthened by the present trial. This advantage can best 
be realized with a short bearing on two points. On the first of these heads 
it will suffice to say that in the French shot there are but six studs, whilst 
in the corresponding shunt shot there are thirty. It is true that the six 
studs are all at present screwed in, and the thirty studs of the shunt 
projectile are fixed by pressure only; but the Committee do not think that 
this difference in mode of attachment can, as a question of manufacture, 
outweigh the difference of number, especially if their size should be hereafter 
reduced. 
14. The Committee recommend that the heavy 7-in. guns now in course 
of manufacture should be rifled in the same manner as the competitive so- 
called French gun, except that the width and depth of the grooves should be 
slightly decreased, which will permit a reduction of the size and consequent 
cost of the studs ; and if the exigencies of the service would allow of three 
weeks delay, they would be glad to fire 20 rounds solid shot and 20 shells 
from the first gun finished in this modified form, before the others are taken 
in hand. 
15. The Committee recommend that the competitive shallow grooved 
gun, which has been ordered to be bored up to 8-in. should be immediately 
rifled in three grooves, with an increasing twist ending with one in forty; that 
fifty rounds solid shot and fifty shells be fired from it; and if successful, that 
the 8-in. guns ordered for the navy be rifled similarly. 
16. The two 9-in. rifle guns of cheap construction being already rifled on 
the shunt plan, the Committee recommend that one of the 9-in. guns, which 
are now awaiting a decision as to rifling, be rifled on the French system for 
comparison, and that if there should be no material difference in the shooting 
of these guns, the remainder be rifled on that system. 
