Part 13

The pellets that come under the description applied to C can be greatly extended beyond the distances named, and at ranges to which it would be foolish to apply the term “killing circles.” Thus the author has seen a roe deer killed at 60 yards with No. 6 shot from a 12 bore. Lord Walsingham has made four consecutive shots with No. 5 shot at wild ducks at an average range of about 88 yards, or, to be accurate, at 84½ yards, 89 yards, 84 yards, and 114 yards. But these lucky shots in vital spots do not affect the question, except to show that it is difficult to apply a limit to the killing power of even weak pellets when they strike head, neck, or wing. Outside the zone marked A one is certain to do some wounding without killing the game, but although many pellets will hit without being straight for vital spots, others will probably kill the same bird. But in the C zone it is always two or three chances on wounding to one chance of killing.

The reason for attempting to draw a distinctive line between these zones for the different guns and loads is that there is far too much unhealthy, random shooting at game, which gives rise to prolonged agony, while the sportsman is dining well, and, as he believes, sleeping the sleep of the just. Even on the baser score of economy and next year’s sport, it is wise to wound no more game than human blundering compels, and not to lay ourselves out to wound by attempting to kill when the chances are so bad that the wild shooter would not risk them upon a horse-race, much less in a mere commercial speculation.

There has often been controversy on the difference of penetration from a choke bore and a cylinder. When penetration was taken by recording the number of sheets of paper, or boards, pierced by one pellet, or even by three, the choke bore always won. But really this was merely a double counting of pattern, because when two guns shoot with the same velocity of shot, that which has the best pattern will also have most pellets through. That is how it came to be settled by the public London gun trials that choke bores had materially the most penetration. As a matter of fact, nobody knows which has most penetration. Sometimes the number of sheets pierced by half the shot which hit a penetration testing pad will be in favour of one, and sometimes of the other gun, and moreover the difference in piercing by the pellets of the same discharge may be as much as two to one.

Chronographic testing for time over a range has never proved very satisfactory, for the instrument makes but one record of time for 300 different pellets, which are known to vary in velocity over some ranges by 300 foot-seconds, and in striking velocity by 200 foot-seconds.

This was brought out by the late Mr. Griffith, who as manager of the Schultze gunpowder works had great opportunities, and took them. Powder-makers may very well use the chronograph in testing powders at 10 yards range. At this range Mr. Borland of the E.C. Company informed the writer that he could never find a difference between small shot and large pellets; which goes to prove that at the distance they have not scattered longitudinally enough to make the chronograph the absurdity it becomes when it records one time for 300, all various.

But once the chronograph was used for small shot on the right principle. This was when Mr. Griffith applied it to his revolving target experiments.

┌───────────┬────────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────┐ │Description│ Length of shot column at these │ How the length of │ │of gun and │ ranges in yards as previously │column was obtained.│ │ load. │ accepted. │ │ ├───────────┼──────┬──────┬────┬─────┬─────┬─────┼────────────────────┤ │ 〃 │ 10 │ 20 │ 30 │ 40 │ 50 │ 60 │ 〃 │ ├───────────┼──────┼──────┼────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼────────────────────┤ │Choke bore │ │ │ │ │ │ │By actual │ │ 12 gauge,│ │ │ │ │ │ │ measurement on the│ │ 49 grains│ │ │ │ │ │ │ Griffith revolving│ │ Schultze,│ 2¼ │4 feet│ 6¾ │ 3¼ │ 4¼ │ 4½ │ targets, assuming │ │ and 1⅛ │ feet │ │feet│yards│yards│yards│ velocity of shot │ │ oz. shot │ │ │ │ │ │ │ to be only 200 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ f.s.—the same as │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ that of target │ │ 〃 │ │ │ │ │ │ │By multiplying the │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ length of actual │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ measurement as │ │ │ 11 │ 19 │ 27 │ 33 │ 35 │ │ above by the ratio│ │ │ feet │ feet │feet│feet │feet │ │ of shot speed at │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ the end of the │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ range above the │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 200 f.s. of the │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ revolving targets │ ├───────────┼──────┼──────┼────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼────────────────────┤ │The same │ │ │ │ │ │ │As in first line │ │ gun and │ │ │ │ │ │ │ above │ │ load, but│ 20 │ 40 │ 6 │ 9 │ 12 │ 4¼ │ │ │ with only│inches│inches│feet│feet │feet │yards│ │ │ 42 grains│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Schultze │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ powder │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 〃 │8 feet│ 15 │ 22 │ 28 │ 29 │ ... │As in second line │ │ │ │ feet │feet│feet │feet │ │ above │ ├───────────┼──────┼──────┼────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼────────────────────┤ │Cylinder │ │ │ │ │ │ │As in first line │ │ gun 12 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ above │ │ bore, 42 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ grains of│ 2¾ │5 feet│ 7½ │ 4 │ 4½ │ 4¾ │ │ │ Schultze │ feet │ │feet│yards│yards│yards│ │ │ powder, │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ and 1⅛ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ oz. shot │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 〃 │ 11 │ 22 │ 28 │ 35 │ 30 │ ... │As in second line │ │ │ feet │ feet │feet│feet │feet │ │ above │ └───────────┴──────┴──────┴────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴────────────────────┘

This table is only inserted because the figures contained in it have hitherto formed the bases of public knowledge and calculation; it is corrected and superseded by another on page 44. Its errors consist in no deduction for the natural spread of the pattern and in the multiple adopted being based on the striking velocity of the first five per cent. of pellets.

He did this to discover the longitudinal spread of the shot pellets at various distances. If ever the chronograph could be used for taking differing shot velocities, this appears to be the way. But it has never been repeated, and some results appear to throw doubt upon their own accuracy. The various lengths of the shot spread on the targets moving at 200 f.s., at right angles with the line of fire, were as follows upon the top lines. On the bottom lines in the table the shot pattern spread, caused by the 200 feet per second, is multiplied by the ratio of greater speed of shot than the 200 foot-seconds of the revolving target. So that in the following table the bottom lines, in respect of each gun, represent something near the true length of shot column at each distance. The speeds taken in the foregoing table can be gathered from the Griffith figures on the next page. But if, for the 30 yards range, the truer mean speed of the shot column is wanted, this is equal to the striking velocity of the most forward pellets and the velocity of the rear of the column added together, and divided by two. For this calculation there is a slight inaccuracy originating in the following tables, because the striking velocity of the rear pellets has been taken at the full range, instead of at the length of the shot column less than the full range. This position can only be found by trial and error. It will vary the results by a yard or two. Inches have been disregarded in the tables.

It is often said that we want guns to send their shot up all together, but if we had so to time our “letting off” as to cause the game to fly on to a knife edge, with the shot spread out like a tea-tray, it is doubtful whether we should hit oftener than with a rifle. Lord Wolseley tells of seeing an officer who by means of a soldier’s rifle killed a wild goose flying high overhead.

Keeping the line of flight for such a shot would not be difficult, but the timing and allowance in front could not often be so cleverly arranged. That is the reason why there is a good deal of doubt whether we want to decrease the length of shot columns, and besides, if we did wish it, probably it could not be done. It is observable that the extra half-dram measure of powder materially increased the choke bore’s lengths of shot columns. It also had a very great influence in the increase of velocity at all distances.

The length of the column of shot from the cylinder gun is longer than the spread from the choke bore, and the longer the range the longer is the column; but strangely, at long range, according to these trials, one striking velocity of the first pellets in the load was exactly the same as that of the last pellets to strike the revolving target, although mean velocities for the range were very different. This almost shakes confidence in this chronographic record, but as the penetration tests always show more variation between pellets than the differences in any of these revolving target and chronographic records, it may be that the apparent paradox of pellets getting farther behind but nevertheless maintaining the same speed as those in front can be explained by a constant change of leaders, and if so, also of followers necessarily.

These phenomena do not occur except at the extreme distance of 55 yards, and they are totally absent even at that distance with the choke bore and 49 grains charge. It seems therefore only to be possible when the pellets have dropped to a low velocity. At shorter ranges there is sometimes an impact difference of 200 feet a second between the pellets of the same load. So that it is material to know the force of the whole charge, and the time up the range of the leading pellets is no guide, as differences equal to 320 f.s. have occurred in one load.

STRIKING VELOCITY AT VARIOUS RANGES IN FOOT-SECONDS

on Mr. Griffith’s authority

┌────────────────────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┐ │ │ By the │ By the │ │ By the │ By the │ │ │fastest │next 25 │ By 45 │mean of │ last 3 │ │ │ 5 p.c. │p.c. of │p.c. of │ the │p.c. of │ │ │ of │pellets.│pellets.│ bulk. │pellets.│ │ │pellets.│ │ │ │ │ ├────────────────────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤ │15 yards choke (42)│ 1013│ 987│ 974│ 952│ 813│ │ 〃 choke (49)│ 1050│ 1013│ 1042│ 965│ 798│ │ 〃 cylinder (42)│ 1003│ 955│ 962│ 923│ 742│ ├────────────────────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤ │25 yards choke (42)│ 825│ 792│ 779│ 748│ 684│ │ 〃 choke (49)│ 890│ 840│ 806│ 809│ 699│ │ 〃 cylinder (42)│ 810│ 769│ 750│ 724│ 615│ ├────────────────────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤ │35 yards choke (42)│ 691│ 661│ 660│ 632│ 523│ │ 〃 choke (49)│ 737│ 699│ 699│ 672│ 564│ │ 〃 cylinder (42)│ 672│ 632│ 636│ 619│ 504│ ├────────────────────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤ │45 yards choke (42)│ 581│ 560│ 549│ 536│ 489│ │ 〃 choke (49)│ 633│ 598│ 592│ 573│ 527│ │ 〃 cylinder (42)│ 561│ 538│ 523│ 494│ 488│ ├────────────────────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤ │55 yards choke (42)│ 377│ 365│ 362│ 344│ 342│ │ 〃 choke (49)│ 478│ 462│ 457│ 427│ 418│ │ 〃 cylinder (42)│ 382│ 374│ 378│ 370│ 382│ └────────────────────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘

As these are the only chronographic tests of shot pellets ever made with a view of finding out what really takes place, the striking velocities of the various proportions of the load at different distances are given here. But although this represents the only use of the instrument for this purpose, on truly scientific principles, ever recorded in print, the author would be sorry to affirm the absolute accuracy of the instrument on this or any other occasion, although the relative accuracy of one record to the other is much more likely to be correct.

The (42) and (49), after the description of the gun in the table on p. 41 refers to the load of Schultze powder, and in all cases 1⅛ oz. of shot No. 6 was used.

In order to arrive at striking velocity from these trials, it was necessary to compare the time taken at one range with that taken at another range by a different cartridge.

That in some cases the leading pellets are recorded as slower than those behind them, is not, as would at first sight appear, an absolute disproof of accuracy, because it may be that the leading pellets are constantly dropping back, and others are becoming leaders. Obviously the fastest pellets lose speed at the greatest rate, and obviously, also, the leading pellets get least help and give most to their neighbours, by setting up air disturbance, or a breeze, in the direction of the load.

We all know from paper pad and strawboard tests that the penetration of pellets from the same discharge often varies as two to one. Some of these records do not confirm this; but as they can only be accurate on the assumption of that which must be true—the fluctuation of relative positions of the pellets in flight—this adds to their value, because that assumption is also required to explain the greater known variation in penetration than the most indicated in these tables of speed.

The above remarks have been founded on the comparison of the chronographic time of one load at one distance with that of another discharge fired 10 yards farther away; and the mean speed over the 10 yards has been taken as the striking velocity at the midway distance of the 10 yards. This is how Mr. Griffith worked out the striking velocities. And from his figures the length of the shot column can only be got at by making some use of a comparison between shots fired at one range and those fired at another. In other words, the length of shot column approximately found, as described, when divided by the difference of time between first and last pellets, brings out the average velocities of the shot column, at the instant of the leading shot striking the target, too high. That is to say, the previous length of column having been found too much, is taken merely as a basis, to indicate the position in the rear at the length of the column away from the target at which to search for the speed of the lagging pellets, and, with these found, and the speeds of the leading pellets already found, from the table upon page 41, the average speed has been discovered, and actual time between first and last being known, the length of column has been re-found in a way that must be as accurate as any records can be that are based on two different discharges and the chronograph.

Taking the length of the column of shot, it is clear that the difference of time in seconds between the first and last arriving pellets, divided by the length of the column in feet, will give the mean velocity of the shot column at the instant the first pellets struck the target. The amended figures are tabulated on the next page.

It has lately been attempted to show that Mr. Griffith’s measurements are not supported by the results on a target passing at 75 feet a second at right angles with the line of fire. But this speed is not enough to prevent the irregular spread of the shot pellets from misleading. In other words, the faster the movement of the target the less will the elongation of pattern depend upon the accident of pattern, and the more it will depend upon the length of shot column and its speed. Besides this, birds at 75 feet per second are not the difficult sort that people want to learn to kill in a wind.

In the following table it is seen that in one case the column is no longer at 50 yards than at 40 yards, and we may be quite certain shot columns are not so in reality:—

┌──────┬──────────┬──────────┬───────────────────────┬────────────────┐ │ │Difference│ │ │ │ │ │of time of│ │ │ │ │ │arrival of│Length of │ │ │ │ │ first 5 │column of │ Mean velocity over │ │ │Yards │per cent. │ shot as │ length of column, and │ │ │ of │and last 3│corrected │striking velocity at a │ Description of │ │range.│per cent. │ by the │ point half the length │ gun and load. │ │ │of pellets│ method │of column of shot from │ │ │ │ in │previously│ the end of the range— │ │ │ │fractions │explained.│ │ │ │ │ of a │ │ │ │ │ │ second. │ │ │ │ ├──────┼──────────┼──────────┼───────────┬───────────┼────────────────┤ │ │ │ │As found by│As found by│ │ │ │ │ │ time from │ time from │ │ │ 〃 │ 〃 │ 〃 │uncorrected│ corrected │ 〃 │ │ │ │ │ length of │ length of │ │ │ │ │ │ column of │ column of │ │ │ │ │ │ shot. │ shot. │ │ ├──────┼──────────┼──────────┼───────────┼───────────┼────────────────┤ │ │ │ │ │ │Choke bore, 42 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ grains of │ │ 10 │·007 │ │ │ │ Schultze and │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 1⅛ oz. No 6 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ shot. │ │ 20 │·0145 │ 12 feet│ 1034│ 863│ 〃 │ │ 30 │·022 │ 16 feet│ 1000│ 726│ 〃 │ │ 40 │·036 │ 22 feet│ 777│ 619│ 〃 │ │ 50 │·046 │ 22 feet│ 630│ 489│ 〃 │ │ 60 │·054 │ │ │ │ 〃 │ ├──────┼──────────┼──────────┼───────────┼───────────┼────────────────┤ │ │ │ │ │ │Choke bore, 49 │ │ │ │ │ │ │ grains │ │ 10 │·009 │ │ │ │ Schultze and │ │ │ │ │ │ │ the rest same │ │ │ │ │ │ │ as above. │ │ 20 │·018 │ 16 feet│ 1005│ 884│ 〃 │ │ 30 │·027 │ 20 feet│ 1000│ 768│ 〃 │ │ 40 │·0425 │ 27 feet│ 776│ 647│ 〃 │ │ 50 │·05 │ 28 feet│ 700│ 555│ 〃 │ │ 60 │·059 │ │ │ │ 〃 │ ├──────┼──────────┼──────────┼───────────┼───────────┼────────────────┤ │ │ │ │ │ │Cylinder gun and│ │ │ │ │ │ │ 42 grains of │ │ 10 │·0117 │ │ │ │ powder and │ │ │ │ │ │ │ shot the same │ │ │ │ │ │ │ as above. │ │ 20 │·0222 │ 18 feet│ 990│ 812│ 〃 │ │ 30 │·034 │ 26 feet│ 823│ 769│ 〃 │ │ 40 │·049 │ 28 feet│ 714│ 583│ 〃 │ │ 50 │·057 │ 27 feet│ 526│ 484│ 〃 │ │ 60 │·057 │ │ │ │ 〃 │ └──────┴──────────┴──────────┴───────────┴───────────┴────────────────┘

The only way that this extraordinary result can be explained is this: Mr. Griffith shot at his revolving targets set behind a hole of 4 feet diameter made in a steel plate, and the question arises, Would not any shot pellets that were only travelling at 382 feet a second drop out by the force of gravity, and never pass through the opening at all at the longer ranges? They would take a considerable fraction of a second to reach the 55 yards range, and pellets would drop a foot by the force of gravity in ¼ second, therefore some of them would not pass through the 4 feet opening. On this assumption, instead of the 50 yards columns of shot being of the lengths stated, they must be very much longer, with a continuous dropping of the weaker shot all up the range.

It is often asked how it happens that so few fast driven birds are wounded. They are either killed or not hit as a rule, even when they are high up. Another query is as often heard: “Why are fast birds more difficult than slow ones?” It appears that one answer can be supplied from the tables already given to both questions. It is often said that it is difficult to lead “tall” birds enough, but the farther away game is, the slower the gun has to move in order to race, and beat it, so that this is evidently not the explanation. Taking the corrected length of the various columns of shot at most of the ranges above 30 yards, and comparing the average speeds of the fag end pellets, as given in the table, with the distance they have to go, while the bird has merely to go from 2 to 4 feet to get out of their line, it will be found that game at 60 feet per second cannot get clear of any part of the shot column if it is timed properly, whereas game at 100 feet per second will clear about 40 per cent. of the length of column in some cases, and only incur danger from 60 per cent. as he flies through it. This seems to be ample reason for the greater difficulty of fast game.