Notes on rifle-shooting

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80670B

RIFLE -SHOOTING.

LoyDOsr

FBISTSO BY SPOTTI8WOODB AND CO.
XBW-STBEBT 8QUABB

NOTES

ON

RIFLE-SHOOTING.

CAPTAIN HEATON.

SECOND EDITION.

LONDON:

LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN.

1864.

^3/. c. ^

<r.

DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION,
TO

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL
THE HON. ALGEENON EGEETON, M.P.

AND OFFICEES OF
THE 3RD MANCHESTER RIFLE VOLUNTEER CORPS,

TO WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT i^ND LIBERALITY

THE author's

POSITION AS A RIFLE SHOT

IS MAINLY DUE.

PEEFACE.

At the request of numerous friends I have con-
sented to publish my Notes on and experience
in Rifle Shooting, not with the idea of instructing
those of my brother riflemen who may know as
much as, or even more of the art than I do;
but for the benefit of Volunteers and others,
whose time and means do not allow them suffi-
cient opportunities to acquire by practice the
knowledge so essential to success.

I have avoided the use of technicalities, and
endeavoured to express myself in as plain terms
as possible. I make no pretence to be scientific,
but only very practical ; and trust that this little
work may prove beneficial to those it is intended
to instruct.

In conclusion, I must ask my read&ic% '^ V^^

Vlll PREFACE.

lenient in their criticism on this my first app
ance Ipefore the public in print, for I am bo
to confess myself more au fait in the use of
rifle than the pen.

CONTENTS.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE TO MAKE A GOOD SHOT
POSITION ....
DRESS, TRAINING, ETC.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS RIFLES
SIGHTS, AIMING, ETC.
AMMUNITION, LOADING, ETC.
METHOD OF CLEANING A RIFLE
WIND AND ALLOWANCES
LIGHT, ATMOSPHERE, ETC. .
KEEPING NOTES .

POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED WHEN SHOOTING
DESCRIPTION AND PECULIARITIES OF THE PRINCIPAL
RIFLE RANGES IN GREAT BRITAIN

1
4

12
17

42
57
71
75
84
93
97

100

NOTES

ON

EIFLE-SHOOTING.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE TO MAKE
A GOOD SPIOT.

There are persons who say that Kifle-shooting is
a gift, and that a man, to become noted in the art,
must be born a shot. I must be allowed, how-
ever, to say that I do not agree with them; for I
believe that any man, with good health and sight,
may by steady perseverance become the best shot
in his company, corps, county — or ascend even
higher than this, I could instance the career of
many of our best shots in proof of my argument,
AlU erroneous idea often prevails, that to become
a good shot a man shoidd spend half his days
on a rifle-range; and for this reason we lose
many men who, judging from their energy in
other pursuits, would become famed in this mo&t

\

2 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

useful of all pastimes. How often do we hear
men say that they should like to become good
shots, but that they have not time to practise !
I would answer to such, that they may become
expert marksmen at their own homes. We are
taught at Hythe that practice is only intended
to find out what a man has learnt in drill. The
first and greatest thing a rifleman has to learn is,
to establish a connection between the hand and
eye, so as to make his finger instantaneously
obey his brain; and this may be done in any room,
first with a snap cap, and afterwards with an
ordinary percussion cap. When this diflSculty is
overcome, the young beginner will soon find that
a little practice will make him a fair shot ; and it
is for such men as these that I have attempted
this book, in the hope that my experience may
counteract their want of practice, when perhaps
business pursuits render it impossible for them to
devote more than a few hours a-week to rifle-
shooting.

If I were asked to draw the picture of a model
rifleman, I should no doubt produce a fine broad-
chested fellow, with a clear grey or blue eye ;
but pray don't let it be imagined that I consider
these as requisites, for, as I have before said, I
believe any one with good health and sight, no

REQUISITES FOR A GOOD SHOT. 3

matter what colour his eyes be, can make himself
into a good shot.

There is one qualification, of far more conse-
quence in my mind than the colour of the eye,
namely, a perfectly easy temper. I consider it
almost impossible for any man of an excitable
temperament ever to achieve great success at a
rifle contest. Colonel Hawker, one of the earliest
and best authorities on field-shooting, makes the
following remarks on this subject; they allude
more particularly to game-shooting, but are
equally applicable to a man when facing a target.
He says — ^ One who vexes himself about missing
a fair shot is the less likely to support himself at
all times as a first-rate performer, because that
vexation alone might be the very means of his
missing t)ther shots, and therefore he could not be
so much depended on as another man who bore the
disappointment with good humour.' A bad shot
at the commencement of a match should never
cause a man to lose heart ; he should rather
console himself that a bad beginning and good
ending is more satisfactory than suddenly to
break down when the prize seemed within his
grasp.

B^

NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

POSITION.

The Positions of a Kifleman are as numerous as
they are odd, each man adopting the one which
best suits his fancy or the formation of his body.
I would recommend the would-be Ross, Halford,
or Martin Smith to try the various positions I
will endeavour to describe, and to select the one
in which he finds himself most at ease. Let him
not be constantly changing, just because he sees
some fortunate individual make a string of bull's-
eyes in some other position than his own. How
often have I seen men throw away all chance of
a prize by changing their position during a match ;
for, after making one or two bad shots in the new
position, with which they are totally unacquainted,
they are compelled to return in disgust to their
old one. I will now describe the various positions
I have seen used by our most eminent shots, and
point out those I consider best suitable to a
rifleman.

position. 5

Standing or Off-Shoulder Shooting.

There are several ways of shooting standing.
First, that taught at Hythe, in which you are
ordered to place the left foot to the left front
(when standing as a front-rank man), and keep
the body perfectly upright ; to hold the rifle
firmly with the left hand, and lightly with the
right The left elbow, although not laid down
in the book, is, I believe, supposed to be kept
clear of the body.

Next we have the Swiss standing position, in
which no particular manner of placing the feet is
required. The whole body is kept perfectly rigid,
the chest expanded as much as possibly, against
which the left elbow is allowed to rest, the *rifle
being held with the left hand, as near the trigger-
guard as possible. The Swiss rifles have a kind
of handle for this purpose. The upper part of
the body is thrown back. Before firing, you
may notice the Swiss marksman taking a long
deep inspiration, which he holds until the bullet
has left his rifle, when he gives a loud grunt of
satisfaction if the shot has pleased him.

There is another position, used, I believe, by
the Americans. The legs are kept rather wide
apart, the body thrown forward, and th.e l<^€\, "asxss.^

6 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING. /

which is perfectly straight, holds the rifle much
nearer the muzzle than in either of the positions
above named.

Of these three positions, I consider the modified
^ Hythe ' is decidedly the best, as the body is
less constrained than in either of the others. For
Non-Military shooting I would not confine a
man to any particular way of placing his feet,
leaving it optional for him to place them in such
a position as will keep his body perfectly balanced.
The knees should be braced up, so as not to
allow the body to swing, and the arms kept in
that position which allows the least leverage to
play on the muscles.

We next come to those positions which may
be used where * any position ' is allowed. It is
useless for me to take up the time of my readers
by describing the Hythe kneeling position, first,
because every Volunteer is supposed to know it :
and, secondly, because it is the last I would re-
commend to those who are not required to use it
in the ranks ; for although admirably adapted for
military purposes, from the rapidity with which
a soldier can load and fire, the position is depen-
dent on the steadiness of too many parts of the
body to make it a good one.

POSITION.

Sitting Positions.

There are many modes of shooting sitting. In
the one most commonly used^ and tiiat until very
lately used by Colonel Halford, the firer seats
himself on the ground, with his left leg advanced,
and tiie right one almost at right angles to tiie
left. The elbows are placed just inside the knees,
and the body thrown a little forward. This
position, which is a very good one, does not suit
a man with a short back, unless he is able to per-
suade the officer in charge of the squad that he is
afraid to take cold, and obtain permission to raise
himself off the ground by means of a roll of coats,
&c. Being raised a few inches from the ground
makes the sitting position almost perfect.

Anotiier sitting position is that used with great
success by Lord Elcho. The knees are placed
close together, and the feet kept wide apart, but
opposite each other. The barrel of the rifle is
allowed to rest between the knees, and is held
firmly with the left hand outside the knees ; the
sling of tiie rifle being twisted round the left arm,
whidi holds the rifle securely, and takes away
much of the recoil. Well as Lord Elcho shoots
in this position, I fear it is not one suited to many
riflemen.

8 NOTES ON KIFLE-SHOOTING.

Sergeant Dougan used to make wonderful
practice in a sitting position peculiar to himself.
After seating himself on the ground, he placed
his rifle on his left knee, which he raised about'
as high as his chin, and allowed his right leg to
remain on the ground at about right angles to the
left. With his left hand he grasped both his rifle
and his left knee.

The only remaining sitting position that I
remember is that used some two years ago by
Mr. Dunlop. Instead of keeping his body square
with the object he wished to shoot at, he seated
himself on the ground facing to the right, raising
both his knees as high as possible, and keeping
his feet close together. His arms were folded
round his knees, the left hand grasping the right
wrist. The rifle rested in the bend of the left
arm, the butt being placed against the muscle of
the right arm, and the rifle being held by the
right hand.

Lying Positions.

Last of all we have the lying positions. I
only know of two, the first of which is that which
has helped to make Mr. Farquharson so famous.
He lies on his back, or rather on his right side,
crossing his left leg over his right, and rests his
right elbow on the ground. The most remarkable

POSITION. 9

part of the whole performance Is the maimer in
which Mr. Farquharson twists his left arm round
his neck and holds the butt of his rifle, thus giving
support to his head. The rifle is allowed to rest
comfortably as it were along the body. For those
who are able to adapt themselves to this position,
it is doubtless a very good one, as none can be
more steady ; but I fear few men will find them-
selves as much at ease as Mr. Farquharson appears
to be, indeed must be, from the excellent shooting
he makes.

There is a kind of later edition of the ^ Far-
quharson Position,' where the firer, instead of twist-
ing his arm roimd his neck, holds the butt of his
rifle with his left hand, and supports his neck by
holding his coat-sleeve with his teeth.

The position I would strongly recommend all
men to adopt is the one which, from experience,
I have been led to select, namely, lying
with my face towards the ground. The whole
body is in a state of perfect rest ; and in war-
fare this position is certainly a good one, as a
stone will hide you from view, and often stop a
mischievous bullet. There is only one thing
against all lying positions, and that is, the nearer
you are to the ground the greater is your aim
influenced by mirage. In the position I am. \n$s^

10 NOTES ON BirLE-SHOOTING.

describings the elbows support the chest and raise
the head to a proper height to take aim ; the left
elbow should be kept almost straight under the
rifle (for, if allowed to go too much to the left,
there is heavy strain on the wrist), whilst the
other is placed a little to the right. It is a good
plan to make two small holes with the heel of
your boot, to prevent your elbows from slipping.
Many men have tried this position and discarded
it, because they got so much punished about the
shoulders. This is entirely caused by keeping
the legs too straight behind the body ; by curving
them well away to the left the collarbone seems
to disappear, and the recoil is received by the
muscle on the shoulder, whereas if the rifle is
placed against the bone, the punishment is so
great that no amount of padding will prevent it.

I think I have now described all the positions
which I have seen used at our rifle contests ; one
point only remains for me to notice, namely, the
proper manner of holding a rifle. It should be
held firmly with the left hand, but care should be
taken not to grasp it so tight as to cause any
strain on the muscles, which would give a tremu-
lous motion, and spoil the best possible aim.
Many excellent shots simply allow the rifle to

POSITION. 11

lie flat on the hand, but I cannot recommend
this plan. I like to feel that I have a perfect
command over my rifle, and that I can make it
obey my will and not its own.

I am not an advocate for holding the rifle
tightly with the right hand, but I have found that
the pull-off is much lightened by pressing the
ball of the thumb against one side of the stock,
and the fingers against the other. This manner
of pressing the trigger will prevent the common
error of pulling the muzzle off to the right.
Great care should be taken that the butt of the
rifle is pressed firmly into the hollow of the
shoulder, and not against the muscle of the arm.
If the recoil comes against the proper place, there
will be no fear of a sore shoulder ; once allow the
arm to get tender, and it is good-bye to shooting
for many a day.

Nothing is more important than keeping the
sights perfectly upright, as the slightest inclina-
tion to either side will materially alter both
direction and elevation.

12 NOTES ON BirLE-SHOOTING.

DEESS, TEAINING, etc.

No doubt some will exclaim, on reading the
heading to this chapter, ^ What in the world will
the man write about next ? as if dress has any-
thing to do with shooting.' It really has more
to do with a man shooting well than some are
aware. Colonel Hawker, the greatest authority
on field-shooting, considers the dress of a shooter
a matter of importance, and lays great stress on
comfort being considered rather than appearance.
It is not my intention to advise the young begin-
ner to go to any particular tailor and order some
peculiar style of coat, but rather to give him a
few hints on this subject that may prove useful.

In the first place, never go to a rifle contest in
a dress that is likely to make you conspicuous ;
for, if you are at all sensitive, yoli may hear
remarks that will perhaps rob you of one or more
bull's-eyes.

Of course, in Volunteer matches, you are
required to appear in the uniform of the corps to

DRESS, TRAINING, ETC. 13

which you belong ; and fortunately most corps
are now dressed in a sensible, workmanlike man-
ner, and have not got an elaborate knot of braid,
as some used to have, just where the butt of the
rifle ought to be placed. I have seen volunteer
officers, shooting in a rifle contest, carefully * got
up ' in shako, sword — in fact, wearing everything
that was unnecessary. It is for the special ad-
vice of these gentlemen that these remarks are
written.

I was at an All Comers' contest last year, and
saw a worthy member of a Light Horse corps
shooting in full uniform, not forgetting his spurs*
The idea struck me, that, if he had chosen to lie
on his back, his spurs might have been useful to
hold on by, but when I saw him shooting in my
favourite position, with his spurs well up in the
air, I certainly did not see their great use. The
amoimt of chaff* that my worthy friend had to put
up with could hardly be said to have improved
his shooting.

I would not have a man attend a contest as if
dressed for a fete or wedding breakfast ; but
rather choose to appear in some loose elastic gar-
ments that he is not afraid to spoil either by
getting wet through or by being obliged to lie
down in without one of the many Q.^\|\L^ds^«^^^ ^cB.

14 NOTES ON RirLE-BHOOTING.

'Punch's' Small-bore Man. To prove that I
practise what I preach, my readers will excuse
me if I relate a little circumstance that occurred
to me last year at one of the great meetings. I
happened to be shooting pretty well, and the fact
of my being almost certain to win, caused a fair
lady to ask, * Which is Captain Heaton ? ' My
feelings may be easily imagined when I next
heard her exclaim, * What ! that shabby-looking
man ! " I certainly wore an old coat, but one
which from its ease I did not wish to discard.

I have a great idea of a man keeping himself
warm whilst shooting, and would always reconi-
mend strong waterproof boots, with a long
Mackintosh coat, which makes the state of the
weather a matter of little moment. The collar
should be perfectly loose, so as to allow of the
head being thrown back without restraint. I
have often noticed that when the Father of modem
Riflemen, Captain H. Boss, really means mischief,
he takes off his collar, and unbuttons the neck of
his shirt. A rifleman's study on the subject of
dress should be to aim at comfort even at the
cost of appearance.

In making a few remarks under the head of
Training, &c. I wish to be distinctly understood
that I do not for one moment attempt to lay

DRESS, TRAINING, ETC. 15

down any rule which can apply to all, for what
is one man's food is truly said to be another
man's poison. I am not an advocate for a mo-
derate man placing himself under any strict
system of physical training or dietary. Mental
training is quite another matter. By physical
training I allude to the constant and excessive use
of dumb-bells, &c. simply for the purpose of
strengthening the arms. I don't mean to say
anything against this, but that it is quite un-
necessary. I would rather have a man continue
to live in his accustomed manner, taking, of
course, sufficient exercise to keep himself in per-
fect health ; for all he requires is a steady hand,
a clear eye, and enough constitutional strength
to carry him through the excitement of a long
day's shooting, such as the International Match.
I feel sure it is a mistake for a man accustomed
to take his few glasses of sherry or claret, or glass
of bitter beer at dinner, suddenly to abstain from
these, under the impression that by so doing he
will improve his shooting in some particular
match. I have known many good shots suffer
from this, and the remark applies with force to
my own case : for during the Wimbledon meeting
of 1862, 1 was most careful to avoid all forbidden
fruits, as I imagined then, such as pastry >^\ssa>

16 NOTES ON BIPLE-8HOOTING.

ale^ &c. ; and the consequence was^ that I was in a
perfect state of misery lest I should take any-
thing that would spoil my shooting. With all
this care, I never won a prize. Last year I
lived like a sensible man, and not only had better
health, but was much more fortunate than at the
former meeting.

All that a rifleman has to avoid is anything
like excess. I certainly should not choose to
shoot a match the day after I had done justice to
a friend's fine old port. I have nothing to say
in favour of smoking, as in many cases tobacco
aflects both steadiness of hand and clearness of
sight.

17

DESCKIPTION OF THE VARIOUS
RIFLES AT PRESENT IN USE.

My chief reason in devoting a chapter to the de-
scription of rifles now in use^ is to benefit those
who have not yet possessed themselves of a
Small-bore, but who hope or intend to do so.
Most riflemen have their own ideas as to which
is the right principle in constructing a rifle ; I,
therefore, by giving an accurate description of
each maker's mode of rifling, &c., together with
the peculiar merit of the gun, enable my readers
to judge for themselves. In order to render this
chapter of practical use, I appliied to the different
makers for a descriptive outline of the rifles
made by them, which I give as nearly as possible
in their own words. Taking them in alphabetical
order, I shall begin with

The Baker Rifle.

I am able to give but a slight description of
this rifle ; those made for the Small-bot^ Ccsa;^-
C

18 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

petition of the National Rifle Association at
Woolwich were, '451 bore, one turn in 30 inches,
weight 9^ lbs., stocked military fashion^ and
rifled with ten grooves. It was the inventor's
intention to have shot with hardened mechanical
projectiles, but he was prevented doing so, and
partly attributes his defeat to the use of soft
leaden bullets, and a badly fitting slide for his rest.
Mr» Baker intends to be fully prepared for some
future contest, when he expects his rifle will
meet with better success.

The Beasley Rifle,

which is virtually a Whitworth, is thus de-
scribed by Mr. Beasley : — * The rifle which I
have manufactured and sold most of, is made by
virtue of a licence I procured from Mr. Whit-
worth, and does not differ in any respect from
his. When first the Whitworth rifle came be-
fore the public some seven or eight years ago, I
saw an account of it in the " Times," was struck
with what I thought its originality, and made
one, only from the description I saw in the
" Times,** and I was really surprised with its
results. Rifle-shooting was then in its infancy ;
and although I had had considerable experience
in making double and single rifles for game

DESCRIPTION OP VARIOUS RIFLES. 19

shooting, I was not prepared for nor did I anti-
cipate such results. I formerly used naked
bullets^ cast in a mould the same size as the
barrel; in fact, made from a piece of it. But I
sometimes found a difficulty in loading from the
barrel becoming leaded ; it struck me that the
rifle would shoot well with a cylindrical bullet^
and a greased felt wad. I made bullets, pressed
in a die of the same bore as the barrel, '451 ; but
I had no hollow at the base, and they were not
wrapped in paper — and I am not quite sure now
if this is not the proper way to use the cylindrical
bullet. I made a great number of experiments,
but I had the misfortune to lose my papers, and
can only draw such conclusions as my memory
will furnish me with. However, the result was,
I procured a licence from Mr. Whitworth, and
taking for granted that his great facilities for
carrying out experiments enabled him to arrive
at great conclusions, I followed in his steps, and
made no more experiments, but used his ammu-
nition, &c. Of course my object was a pure
matter of business. I found people would not
come to me unless I offered an inducement ; and
I thought it would be no bad idea to make a
Whitworth rifle, that with respect to price would
come within the reach of any one who c/c^x^
c 2

20 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

devote any time at all to rifle shooting. I then
manufactured a rifle at £10, complete with wind
gauge ; and to show what could be done with
a cheap rifle, I trained for and shot with one
in the " International Match." I feel that I
have nothing more to say than that my rifle is
a Whitworth-bore, '451, rifled hexagonally with
a spiral of one turn in 20 inches, shooting me-
chanically fitting or cylindrical bullets, with
greased wad as lubrication.

'Price at which I supply the rifles is from
£10 10*. to £31 10*. The barrels of every
rifle are made of the same material and rifled
exactly in the same way, and manufactured with
equal careu

* The principle upon which I rifle is, I think,
equal to any and superior to most systems at
present in use. I do not scrape or shave small
shavings at a cut, but I cut the whole groove the
proper depth at one cut The tool is made exactly
the shape of the groove, so that it has only to
p&ss once through the barrel to form one groove.
I contend that one clear cut will be more accurate
than a succession of cuts, and by this method you
can ensure having all barrels alike.'

Mr. Beasley has since made another rifle, and
thus describes it: 'I have made another rifle.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS RIFLES. 21

which is certainly the best I ever used for soft
lead^ and with it I have made the best figure I
ever saw made with any rifle firing a soft leaden
projectile, the only objection is the uncertainty
about fouling.' The description of the rifle is as
follows : —

Bore. — '451.

Grooves, — O'lO deep; 10 in number.

Lands.— 0-20.

Spiral. — 1 turn in 20 inches.

Projectile. — 530 grains, cylindrical.

Powder. — 85 grains, Curtis and Harvey's No. 6.

Lubrication. — Greased bullet, 4-6 ths grease,
l-5th wax.

Price, from £10 10^. to £31 \0s.

*The lands are very narrow, and allow the
bullet to expand easily, and the shape it leaves
the muzzle is like a ball of larger bore, with
grooves cut down it.'

The Bissel Bifle.

This rifle also competed at the National Rifle
Association Trial. The following is the maker's
description of it : —

Diameter of Bore — '451.

Grooving. — 5 cuts ; arcs of circles of about half
the diameter of the bore.

22 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

Width of Grooves. — Once and a half that of
lands, or lands two-thirds the width of grooves.

Depth of Grooves. — Uniform, -OlS of an inch.

Spiral — 1 turn in 20 inches.

Projectile. — ^Weight 630 grains, whether me-
chanically fitting or not, either sort wrapped in
paper.

Charge of Powder. — 85 grains. Curtis and
Harvey's or Lawrence's No. 6.

Lubrication. — Patch 2 parts tallow, 1 wax.

* The peculiar excellence of the rifle is due to
the mechanical perfection of the bore, to which
strict attention is paid. The form of grooves
enables the mechanically fitting projectile to be
used.' Mr. Bissel thus ends his description : —

* The rifle does not foul, cleans easily, shoots
well, and wears well.'

Price of rifle, full stocked, with wind-gauge,
fore sight, from £8 ; drilled steel barrel, half
stocked, made up in sporting style, aperture
sights, &c., up to £35.

The Ckockart Rifle

is thought very highly of by. those who fire
with it, and used with great success by the
maker, who has favoured me with the following
description : —

DESCRIPTION OF YARIOUS RIFLES. 23

Diameter of Bore. — '442 to '448. Very much
like a pentagon, with the comers or angles well
rounded off.

Grooves, — Five in number, elliptical, occupying
almost all the inner surface, leaving only very
narrow lands ; they are a 40th of an inch deep in
the centre.

Spiral. — One turn in 22 inches.

Projectile. — 530 grains in weight, cylindrical,
hollow base, or mechanically fitting bullets, made
of soft lead.

Charge of Powder.— %Q grains of Curtis and
Harvey^s No. 6.

Lubrication. — A compound of grease, wax, and
soap, formed into a stalk and rubbed on the
bullet ; a card wadding, lubricated with «ame
mixture, is also used.

* The peculiar excellence of the Crockart rifle
consists in the peculiarity of the grooving, which
the maker asserts will entirely prevent the bullet
from stripping, as the grooves terminate into one
another, leaving very little of the surface of the
original bore as lands, and thus, from their form,
they allow the expanding bullet to fill up every
part of the grooving, preventing fouling and the
escape of gas. The rifle has no acute angles, to
induce tearing of the bullet, when passing throu.^

-.: -zzk kT't'.tFZCsz':^ xs :z sec* z^ 12s S^k^*
Criiiiir: nriaz'-j lil^.^a^ct? az. j«i/ znanba

/Vart. — T!25s rfff 2* 5^5oed %i all prices^ £ta
j«ii»i:_f zutfrii*^ ^Dr jsstcr -ic iji-T-fmrjigjj^ iron.

The Er^:-E Rir:_r.

I L*Te lern lirvtr^ by Mr. £%e with the
I'l'Ili-BiiL^: — ' TLI5 rife afrr.Aiix* nearer to a
cii\!lc iKin *ST ^'''icr. Tte czts cr grvtoves, are
or tL&i peculiar jet simj^e f r-rm. iliat thej not
cmly give oertain rotaii-rj nK-tkn to liie bnOet,
bm arte Tery dni^&ble. asd ar« easr ;o clean. The
nde is cosksnTioted with nine gTw«Te&> each open-
ing oorwards towards ihe K>ie. a: an angle of 45
degrees, and leaving the Ix^ie t>3 of an inch wide,
and each land the same, the cut being "04 o[ an
inch deep. nni£:tnnly from breech to muzzle ; the
spiral varring from one turn in IS to 30 inches,
according to the use for which the rifle is in-
tended.

Diameter of the Ban of match rifle is *451 of
an ioch; that of the epcirting rifle much larger.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS RIFLES. 25

The Projectile is conoidal, about 3^ diameters in
length, with a hollow base, and may be either
round or rifled, so as to fit the barrel. The
peculiar construction of this rifle does not require
a mechanically fitting projectile to bring out its
true merits.

The Weight of the Bullet used is 630 grains.

Charge of Powder^ 85 grains of Curtis and
Harvey's, or Lawrence's No. 5.

Lubrication. — A grease wad, composed of 5
parts Kussian tallow, and 1 of wax.

The barrels of the match rifle are 36 inches
long — those of the sporting guns various — and
about T^lbs. in weight; and are made up with
the best materials and workmanship.

Price £30.

In describing the peculiar excellence of his
rifle, Mr. Edge thus concludes his remarks: —
* The simplicity of this rifle is one of its many
recommendations, and the numerous prizes it has
won since it was patented in 1860 prove its
excellence.

* Unlike most rifles, the bore is nearly circular,
and this is considered by the scientific to be
another of its advantages; and yet its certain
action on the bullet, never failing to give the
proper rotatory motion, without liability to fo\il.

26 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

is one of the great secrets of the rifle's excellence.
It shoots pleasantly, and with little or no recoiL

The Henry Eifle.

At the request of the maker of this celebrated
weapon, I publish the description given of it in
Blanch's Book of Facts : —

* At the latter end of 1860, a short paragraph
went the round of the papers to the effect that a
new rifle had been patented by an Edinburgh gun-
maker. It was farther stated that the inventor
had, in a recent trial of his rifle, scored as many
as eight points (old scoring) out of six shots at
1,100 yards, the first shot being a miss, and the
remaining five being made up of three centres
and two outers. To say that this statement then
took the whole rifle world — makers and marks-
men — by surprise, would give but a faint idea of
the effect produced. It was deemed incredible,
and many refused to believe that any but a Whit-
worth could produce such results. However, it
soon transpired that the rifle in question was
none other than the " Henry," which was destined,
ere nine months had elapsed, to win for itself a
name second to none for correct scientific prin-
ciples embodied in its construction, and for the
extent and wonderfal accuracy of its range.'

DESCBIPTIOK OF VARIOUS EIFLE8. 27

The first time on which the * Henry ' was
brought into open competition with the * "Whit-
worth,' and other Small-bore rifles, was on
February 19, 1861, at the annual competitive
trial held by the National Rifle Association at
Hythe, to determine the best weapon which
should be employed to compete for the second
stage of the Queen's prize. By the rules of the
Association competitors were allowed to bring
their own rests; and as Mr. Henry had not availed
himself of this privilege, he would have been com-
pelled, in the event of competing, to make use of
the mechanical rest provided by the Association,
the slides of which did not suit Mr. Henry's rifle.
As Mr. Whitworth was fully prepared with one
of his beautiful rests, Mr. Henry did not feel
justified in allowing his rifle to compete ; conse-
quently it was a * walk-over' for the Whitworth.

The next time the * Henry ' put in an appear-
ance was at Wimbledon, where it successfully
held its own against all comers. The stocking
and sights of Mr. Henry's rifle were so superior
to any other at that meeting, that it soon estab-
lished itself as a favourite weapon with all good
shots.

* The form of rifling adopted by Mr. Henry
consists of a number of planes (generallY e«^^ss^^'^

28 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

with a corresponding number of lands or .
extending inwards, the apices of the latter
concentric with the centre of the surfaces of
contiguous planes. It will thus be seen that
projectile has fourteen bearing surfaces^ wl
tend to give it a steady, uniform, motion as
passes up the barrel'

• The following is the descriptive outline of th
rifle: —

Bore.—*4:5\.

Grooves. — Plain, with 4 to 12 bead angles,
generally 7.

Spiral — One turn in 30 inches.

Projectile. — 530 grains, cylindro-conoidal, or
mechanically fitting.

Charffe.^S6 grains Curtis and Harvey's No. 6.

Lubrication. — Greased wad.

Price. — From £10 upwards.

The ' London Aemoury or Kerr Rifle,'

with which most excellent practice is made,
is thus described by Mr. Kerr, the Superintendent
of the London Armoury Company : —

Diameter of Bore. — •451 of an inch, shape cir-
cular.

Groovinff. — Six grooves, Ratohett form, without
fuiglM ; and as the deep part of the groove is on

DE8CBIPTION OP VARIOUS BIFLES. 29

the side from which the bullet turns, the resis-
tance to the air is reduced to a minimum : the
other side of the groove verges into the cylinder
bore, thus leaving lands which are mechanically
true.

Spiral. — At the breech end the grooves are
nearly straight, increasing in twist until, at the
middle of the barrel, they attain the full spiral
of one turn in 20 inches, which is thenceforward
maintained at the same pitch to the muzzle.

Weight of Barrel. — About 5 lbs. 4 oz.

Weight and Shape of Projectile. — The ordinary
cylindro-conoidal bullet, weight 530 grains, dia-
meter '442 of an inch.

Charge. — 2} or 3 drachms of No. 6 Small-
bore rifle powder.

Lubrication. — Solid grease or lubricated wad,
as made by Eley Brothers.

Price at which the Rifle is supplied. — From
£5 16*. 6rf. ; but Mr. Kerr strongly recommends
the rifle at £6 10«., which is complete, with steel
furniture, small grip, light detanted lock and
chequered hand and fore end.

Mr. Kerr claims the following as the peculiar
excellences of his rifle : ^ The straight part of the
grooving allows of perfect expansion of the
bullet, thus avoiding windage and consequent

30 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTUTCU

fouling ; stripping, of course^ is also prevented.
A great advantage connected with this rifle
arises from the system of manufacture^ as tlie
lock and all other parts and limbs are inter-
changeable with the Long Enfield rifle^ thus ren*
dering the repair of any accident a mere matter
of writing for a duplicate part ; and whenever a
purchaser, whether at home or abroad^ is within
reach of a garrison town, the armourer is always
competent to supply any defect.'

The Lancaster Bifle.

I have been obliged by Mr. Lancaster with
the following description of his rifle : —

Diameter and Shape of Bore. — Diameter suit-
able to the purpose intended, whether for military
or other purposes. Shape of bore, oval.

No grooves ; oval, '015 of an inch.

Spiral. — Proportioned to the diameter and
length of projectile.

Weight and Shape of Projectile. — Strictly in
proportion to the diameter of the bore, or usually
three diameters. No precise description can be
given without knowing the service for which the
rifle is intended.

Charge. — The maximum that can be employed.

Mode of Lubricating. — ^Wax wadding.

DESCKIPTION OF VABIOUS KIFLES, 31

The peculiar excellence of the rifle consists in
the absence of all angles and grooves. The mi-
nimum exertion of power to upset the column of
lead constituting the bullet in the form of the
rifling, therefore a less proportion of failure to
take the rifle motion, and the peculiar facility in
cleaning the arm*

The prices at which the Lancaster Rifles are
supplied are as follows : —

Government arms at Government price; Small-
bore arms at 10*15 to 40 guineas.

The Newton Eifle,

made by the Inventor of the * Venetian Screen
Sight,' is thus described : —

Diameter of Bore. — '451 of an*inch.

Grooves. — 7 in number, with angles rounded,
and lands same width.

Spiral. — One turn in 20 inches.

Projectile. — Plain cylindrical, weight 530
grains.

Charge. — 85 grains of Curtis and Harvey's
No. 5.

Mode of Lubrication. — Grease wad in rear of
projectile.

Mr. Newton asserts that the peculiar excellence
of his rifle consists in freedom from fouling, com-

32 NOTES ON EIFLE-SHOOTING.

bined with accuracy in shooting. The rifles are
supplied at the following prices :

Military pattern, £10 10^.

Pistol hand, patent back and front sight, £22.

The Parsons' Rifle.

This rifle is one of those which competed at
the National Kifle Association's Small-bore trials.
The following are the peculiarities of its make,
kindly furnished by Mr. Parsons : —

* The Diameter of Bore of the rifles I have
supplied is '451 of an inch, but my only reason
for adopting this size is, that it is the one pre-
scribed by the rules of the National Bifle Asso-
ciation, and I think it would be better if the
Association wef e to allow a little more latitude
in this respect, by simply fixing the weight of
the rifle and weight of projectile, and leaving it
to the maker to produce what he thinks fit. I
am now making some experiments with rifles of
smaller bore than •451 of an inch, and have
obtained some good results with them, namely,
a lower trajectory and diminished recoil.' Pro-
viding me with a diagram, Mr. Parsons says:
^ The section of the grooves is described by arcs
of circles, the centres of which are placed in a
circle (which I term the generating circle) struck

DESCRIPTION OP VARIOUS RIFLES. 33

from the centre of the bore, at equidistant points
around it, and so that a straight line drawn from
a point in each arc, equidistant or nearly equi-
distant from its two extremities, will be at right
angles, or nearly at right angles, to a line drawn
from that centre to the centre of the bore.

NumheTy widths and depth of Grooves. — Any
number of grooves may be used, but I generally
employ nine. The width and depth of the grooves
are also immaterial ; but the important thing is,
the angle the side of the groove makes with the
surface of the bore, which should be well without
the angle of friction, or about 1 in 5.

Spiral. — One turn in 20 inches for '451 inch
bore.

Weight and Shape of Projectile. — The best
shooting has been made with hardened mechani-
cally fitting bullets, fitting mechanically about
one-third of their length, the remainder being
cylindrical ; weight 530 grains.

Charge. — 85 grains of Curtis and Harvey's
No. 5, or Lawrence's No. 4.

Lubrication. — By means of a lubricating patch.

The peculiar excellence of the rifle consists in
the form given to the grooves, which, whilst
allowing a loosely fitting projectile to be used,
will always ensure a large bearing surface, to act

D

34 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

on and impart to it the rotatory motion^ by wliich
friction is diminished^ and will always cause it to
be truly centred with the bore of the gun. Tbis
rifle has a particularly low trajectory^ the eleya-
tion at 1,000 yards being 2° 38'.

Price at which the rifle is supplied, is from 10
to 30 guineas, according to materials and work-
manship.

The Rigby Bifle.

Mr. Rigby has kindly furnished me with the
following description of his rifle, which made such
a favourable impression on the minds of all rifle-
men, by its extraordinary performances at the late
Small-bore trials at Woolwich. Mr. Rigby was
rather unfortunate at 500 yards, mainly owing, I
believe, to his rest being too light ; but his dia*
grams at 1,000 yards are quite sufficient to prove
that the rifle possessed more than ordinary merit

Diameter of Bore. — Smallest diameter, '451;
largest diameter, '480. One-half of the original
surface is untouched in rifling. Shape of bore,
octagonal.

Spiral. — One turn in 18 inches.

Weighty ^c. of Projectile. — Mechanically fitting,
made of hardened lead. Weight, 530 grains;
length, 1*42. The hollow in rear of the bullet
is filled with plaster of Paris, which remains in
its place during the flight of the bullet, and

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS RIFLES, 35

prevents the paper, lubrication, &c. from being
lodged in the cavity. This forms Mr. Eigby's
patent.

Charge. — 86 grains Curtis and Harvey's No. 6,
at all distances.

Lubrication. — An octagonal tallow wad, lightly
tempered with wax.

The excellence of the rifle consists in the friction
between the bullet and barrel during its exit
being so reduced that a very low trajectory is
obtained without increasing the recoil. At the
late trial at Woolwich, the last diagram made by
Mr. Eigby's rifle at 1,000 yards was shot with an
elevation of 2° 44^, which, corrected for the height
of the point of mean impact, gives 2° 2T as the
actual elevation^ which is wonderfully low. This
plan of rifling is very durable, as one-half of the
original surface remains untouched in rifling, and
presents great resistance to abrasion in cleaning
or to accidental injuries. It is also very good for
expanding bullets, as the grooves are easily filled,
and, from their shape, have a most efficient grip,
which renders stripping impossible, while the re-
sistance of the air to the rotation of the bullet is
reduced by being received on inclined surfaces.

Mr. Eigby supplies his rifles at the following
prices : — Best match rifle, 36-inch steel barrel, with
»2

36 NOTES ON EirLE-SHOOTIN"G.

Vernier back sight and improved wind-gauge ft
sight, 22 guineas. Plain rifle, straight hand
barrel and sight as above, 17 guineas. Apertui
sights, 3 guineas extra. Plain military patten
rifle, heavy steel barrel, wind-gauge fore sight,
10 guineas.

All the above are tested at the range and mean
elevation marked on sights to 1,000 yards.

Mr. Rigby's patent mechanical projectiles are
supplied at 6s. per hundred.

The Turner Rifle.

Diameter of Bore. — '452.

Number of Grooves. — Five.

Width of groove at bottom, 'ITS ; at top, '190,
at the nose end of the barrel ; width of groove at
the breech, bottom, '175; top, '225.

Depth of groove at Breech.— -From -020 to '026 ;
this depth diminishes on a curved line for about
twenty inches of the barrel, to *006, and continues
this depth to the nose.

Spiral. — One turn in 20 inches.

Projectile. — Made of soft lead. Weight, 630
grains ; shape, cylindro-conoidal, '441 diameter.

Charge of powder to be used with greased
bullets is 70 grains, of Lawrence and Sons' No.
4, or 85 grains of same powder may be used witk
bullets not greased, and a grease wad.

DESCRIPTION or VARIOUS RIFLES. 37

Mr. Turner, by his patent, claims the right of
any number of grooves, and the right of adapting
the rifling to any bore.

The pecuKar excellence of the rifle consists in
its not fouling — 2,500 rounds having been
fired out of one barrel by Dr. Goodwin during
a period of some months, without once wiping
out, and without affecting the accuracy of the
shooting.

The Whitworth Eifle.

This wonderful weapon requires but few words
of praise, its performance being too fresh on the
minds of all riflemen. Mr. Whitworth, as most
of my readers are doubtless aware, was the first
to inaugurate the present competition in the
manufacture of Small-bore rifles, and to his great
scientific attainments we owe much of the per-
fection to which rifle-shooting has been -brought.
Mr. Whitworth has long been celebrated for his
machinery ; and by applying his extensive know-
ledge in its use to the manufacture of modern
fire-arms, he has been enabled successfully to
hold his own against all comers.

Mr. Leece has kindly favoured me with the
following particulars : —

Rifled hexagonally, size '45 in. across the
flats^ and '49 across the rounded angles.

38 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

Spiral. — One turn in 20 inches.

Projectile, — Mechanically fittings made of har-
dened lead.

Lubrication. — Grease and wax wad ; the angles
of the bullet also lubricated.

Charge. — Eighty-five grains Curtis and Har-
vey's No. 5.

The excellence of the rifle consists in having
the barrel made of steel and rifled on the poly-
gonal system, together with the uniform and
accurate manufacture. The ammunition best
adapted to the rifle has been carefully worked
out by actual experiments, which of course also
improves the shooting ; in fact, the excellence of
the rifle is made up of the whole, viz. principle,
accurate workmanship, ammunition, and ac-
cessories.

The price varies from £10 to £35.

Breech-Loading Rifles — Mont Storm's
Rifle.

Mr. Storm's system is applicable to any rifling
or bore, as might be seen at the last Wimbledon
contest; but the rifles made by him for the
Woolwich competition had a spiral of one turn in
30 inches ; charge y 77 grains of best powder ; pro^
jectihy 630 grains in weight, cylindrical, with
greased paper.

DESCEIPTION OF VARIOUS RIFLES. 39

The peculiar excellence of Mr. Storm's inven-
tion exists in the breech, and is thus described by
him : ^ Breech-loading arms may be divided into
twelve different systems or " species," and there
are at least eleven varieties of these species.
The twelfth species (Mont Storm's self-sealing
chamber system) is of comparatively recent de-
velopment, and its plan is adapted so as to be
universally applied to every style and class both
of military and sporting arms, or the ready con-
version of present muzzle-loading arms into
breech-loaders. Some of its many points of
merit may be enumerated as follows: —

* It has a chamber, but no lever, either lateral,
vertical, or of any other description, to catch in
the accoutrements, dress, or bridle-rein.

* It is confined to no special ammunition.

* The charge may be varied, but the arm cannot
be overloaded.

^The explosion takes place within a solid
chamber.

* The recoil is upon a solid breech.

* The connection between the stock and barrel
is strong, graceful, and fixed ; thus it is adapted
for the use of the bayonet for infantry.

* It cannot stick fast, or dry by rust or powder
dirt.

40 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

* There is no sliding or abrasion of one surface
upon another in opening and closing the breech^
so there is no wear by friction.

^ In the insertion of the cartridge^ the ball con-
stitutes the handle or ramrod.

* It cannot be fired accidentally or-purposely till
the chamber is locked in place, and the locking
device is solid^ self-acting, and infallible in its
operations.'

The Westlet Richards Rifle.

The following are the particulars of this cele-
brated rifle, which has performed with such great
success at all the Wimbledon contests : —

Weight of TilBlq^wi RiFLE. — 3 feet barrel, short
stock, 10 lbs.

Diameter of Bore. — '450 of an inch.

Octagon Rifling.

Weight of Projectile, — 630 grains.

Charge of Powder — 85 grains.

Average Figure of Merit at 600 yards, about 9
inches ; at 800 yards, about 15 inches.

Average Angle of Elevation at 1,000 Yards'. —
V 5(y to 2° 0'.

Weight of INFANTRY Musket. — 9i lbs. Bore
and rifling same as Target rifle.

Weight of Projectile. — 480 grains.

DESCBIPTION OP VABIOUS BIPLES. 41

Charge of Powder, — 75 grains.

Price from £11 \\s. to £32.

Peculiar excellence claimed is the great ad-
vantage of breech-loading over muzzle-loading
rifles.

42 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING,

AIMING, ETC.

It is a much easier task to describe all the
various sights and pull them to pieces, than it is
to make one really good one. In my humble
opinion there is hardly a single good sight at
present in use, excepting perhaps the aperture
and Dr. Goodwin's sight. The great diflSculty,
in fact I may say impossibility, seems to devise
any sight which places the eye, the sight, and
the target in proper focus. To get rid of the haze
or burr is the insuperable diflSculty.

I think I cannot do better than give a rough
outline of the sights which have come under my
notice, and leave my readers to select the one
that gives them the best results in practice.

The first in order is the ordinary Enfield sight,
which has many defects. In the first place, the
back sight is fixed much too near the eye for the
firer to take a char aim : if it were three to four
inches nearer the muzzle, much of the burr which
now exists would be done away rnXSoL. \i x^^jSI^

AIMING, ETC. 43

fine shooting be required, rifles ought to be made,
as it were, in sizes ; that is to say, with the back
sight fixed at various distances from the muzzle :
for it is as impossible to expect all men to agree
where the sight ought to be placed, as it is to ex-
pect them to require the same focus when using
a telescope. The V of the Enfield back sight is
much too acute. I should prefer a flat bar ; but
if noteh there must be, the angle might with ad-
vantage be more obtuse than at present.

I think all that can be said in favour of the
Enfield fore sight is, that, as a military weapon, it
is strong and not easily broken. The diflSculty
of distinguishing between full, half, and fine sight
with suflScient accuracy, especially at long ranges,
is too great to admit of anything more being said
in its favour. All those who use an Enfield rifle
are supposed to be properly instructed in the use
of the sights ; it is therefore unnecessary for me
to go into detail, and describe the difierence
of full, half, and fine sight. A half sight is gene-
rally recommended. I would rather choose a full
one, as more likely to be uniformly taken.

The back sight that comes next in order Is, I
think, the horizontal bar, with a fine platinum line
down the centre. This sight is muchbe,tt&\. ^Jmbss.
the Vj if the edge is made a\xaxip,^\^dtLY^^'^^^^^^

44 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

the double line being seen above the real one. A
very useful addition was made to this sight by
Lord Elcho, which served as a rough and ready
sort of wind-gauge, quite sufficient for all field
purposes. The bar had a number of fine platinum
lines let in perpendicularly, each space being
equal to so many feet or inches on the target: by
this means allowance could be made without
aiming off the bull's-eye, by taking the line of
sight over one of the outside lines instead of over
the centre one. If some sight of this description
were fitted to the rifles used in shooting for the
Queen's Prize, the results of the practice would
even be more satisfactory than now* If tiie sug-
gestion respecting a horizontal bar sight for
Enfields, made at the late meeting of the National
Bifle Association, is carried out, it will be one of
the greatest boons conferred on Volunteers.

The bar sight, I need hardly say, is used
with a bead fore sight, the size of which is made
to suit the fancy of the firer. I prefer one of a
fair medium size, coarse rather than too fine.

I have also seen this sight used by inverting
the fore sight, and bringing the bead below in-
stead of above tiie bar : this was^ I think, merely
the whim of its inventor, and I believe he has
since discontinued the use of it.

AIMING, ETC. 45

The bar sight made in ivory with a black line
is a good one ; you have the lines much more
clearly defined in ivory than when the bar is
made of metal.

Mr. Newton, of Manchester, gunmaker, in-
vented a most useful sight some two years ago.
His patent consisted of a number of Venetian
screens, which are raised and lowered by means
of a rack and pinion ; and as the screens are
raised, all light below the sight is excluded. I
have used this sight, and think it a good one.
Newton's patent is fitted to almost any descrip-
tion of back sight.

Dr. Goodwin next brought out a sight which
he called the ' Orthoptic,' by the use of which he
got rid of much of the burr. The sight is thus
described in the Volunteer's * Book of Facts ' : —
* The system of shooting adopted by Dr. Good-
win involves the constant use of three sights or
points of alignment on the rifle, and the advan-
tages claimed for it are, inter aUa, as follows :
1st, that when the sights are correctly aligned
for any range, the shooter cannot vary his shots
from any cause except unsteadiness, i.e., cannot
take a finer or fuller sight, or take his aim with-
out seeing the bead of the fore sight exactly over
the platinum line of the back sight, which is

46 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

frequently done through inadvertency where two
sights only are used; and 2nd, that a much
clearer and better view of the target and sights
is obtained by the exclusion of all light from the
front except those rays which proceed direct to
the eye through the small hole in the screen or
eye-piece.

* This sight can be attached to the stock of any
rifle, by means of a small foot-piece, by screws.
It consists of an upright bar or rod of steel, upon
which the frame which carries the disc and its
eye-piece moves up and down, either by the use
of a rack and pinion, a long screw, or a simple
slide, at the option of the shooter, to the required
elevation, where it is secured by a binding screw.
The eye-piece, which is contrived to hold two or
three differently sized discs, to be used according
to the quantity of light, has a traversing hori-
zontal motion in its frame, obtained by a
micrometer screw, by which the bead is always
brought over the platinum line by moving it in
an opposite direction to the one used on the
fore sight for any wind allowance. The eleva-
tion is taken by the sliding bar of the back sight,
and the wind allowed for on the fore sight in the
usual way, the eye-piece being then brought into
the required position, i.e., so adjusted that the

AIMING^ ETC. 47

bead still appears exactly over and apparently
resting on t)ie platinum line. If the adjustment
shall have been correctly taken, any deviation
from it or difference in the sighting for any num-
ber of shots is rendered nearly impossible.

* The disc or screen is either coated with dead
black composition, or covered with india rubber
or black velvet.'

Kiflemen have also to thank the inventor of
the above sight for the introduction of one which
bids fair to exceed his former invention in popu-
larity. I allude to the Horizontal Bar Fore
Sight It consists of a broad knife-edged bar
with a vertical slit down the centre, the size of
which may be increased or diminished at the will
of the firer by means of a small key. The bar
intersects the target, and by this means it is easy
to tell if the sights are perfectly upright. The
bull's-eye is made to form the bead, the line of
light which appears through the slit becoming
the stem ; the ordinary aperture back sight is
used in conjunction with the fore sight.

There is one point greatly in favour of Dr.
Goodwin's bar-sight, Le. that allowance may
easily be made for a slight change or increase of
wind, by running the bull's-eye along the top of
the bar.

48 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

Dr. Goodwin has patented another ^ Horizontal
fore sight/ with a platinum line down the centre,
instead of the small slit as described above, and
has furnished me with the following description
of his sights. He says : * The sight first suggested
itself to me some twelve months ago, when shoot-
ing at Sudbury. I was then using three sights
on my rifle at the same time, i.e. a bead fore sight,
a plain bar with straight platinum line on my
Vernier back sight (without notch of any sort),
and an " orthoptic " or eye-hole sight, which had
a lateral traversing motion as well as a perpendi-
cular one. Having put up the Vernier bar of the
middle sight to the required elevation, and put on
the quantity of windgauge requisite, by the fore
sight gauge I adjusted the orthoptic so as to see
the bead only just clear of the bar, and appar-
ently resting on the platinum line of the back
sight. When once adjusted, this arrangement
prevented my varying my aim at all, as at every
shot I saw just the same quantity of bead ; and
being tied to see it in this way by the small eye-
hole (•04) of the orthoptic, I could not take fuller
or finer sights, or wander off the platinum line
inadvertently in any number of shots, so long
as the sights retained the same position. My
shooting was much improved by this arrangement
accordingly.

AIMING, ETC, 49

^ I was shooting in this way at 500 yards, when
I observed that when I put the bead actually on
the bull's-eye I lost it altogether in the black (I
had been in the habit of always putting the bead
just to the left of the bull's-eye, never under it
or on it), but the bull's-eye itself, resting on the
platinum line of the back sight bar, appeared ex-
actly a bead sight, with a black bead and a white
stem. I removed the fore sight from the rifle,
and aiming at the bull's-eye through the orth-
optic and over the bar, with only the short radius
between these two sights, I fired five rounds for
four bull's-eyes and a good centre. This satisfied
me that the bead fore sight with two back sights
was a superfluity. So I made myself a horizontal
fore sight of the same pattern precisely as the
one I now use, and found it to answer perfectly.
I introduced this sight with a daylight line to the
public last summer, as my Horizontal Bar fore-
sight, and it has been successfully used by several
good shots ; but I never made any others than
the one experimental sight with a platinum line,
which I have now patented. The sight with the
daylight line, though good as a target sight, where
white is behind it, is useless as a military or
sporting sight, where dark objects are around
it, as the line is invisible exc^i^t «b^«ai&\. ^\fi^fe^

60 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING,

whereas the sight with platinum or other white
line is even better as a target sight than the
other^ and can be used against objects of any
colour. This sight is useful as a windgauge
without motion^ as in shifting it at the last moment
in aiming, even to the edge of the target or be-
yond, you never lose your level, as the bar end
is still touching the bull's-eye. As a military
sight, I think it would be very useful in keeping
the elevation, as it is much easier to see when a
long line is above a line of men, than when a
mere point is. I purpose to keep the block of
the present Enfield sight to fix bayonets, and to
place the sight above the nose cap, or a separate
block to fold down with a spring, so as to allow
the bands to pass over it.'

Lord Bury invented a sight during last season
which was used with marked success, not only by
himself but also by many other good shots. I
believe several of the ^ English eight ' used this
sight in the International match.

To enable Lord Bury to get rid of the burr, he
reversed the V> and flattened the apex to one-
tenth of an inch broad, down the centre of which
a narrow slit is cut The fore sight consists of a
bead, with a fine wire stretched across the stem,
one-twentieth of an inch from the top, the space

AIMING, ETC. 51

below ihe wire being filled up with ivory. The
back sight is raised with the ordinary rack and
pinion, and the fore sight has a lateral motion to
allow for wind. I have never used this sight,
but have heard those who shoot with it speak of
its qualities in the highest terms.

The only remaining sight left for me to
notice is the one I have used for some time,
and I certainly consider it superior to any other.
I allude to tiie ^Aperture? * This sight (which
was first publicly used in England by me)
was manufactured by the Manchester Ord-
nance and Bifle Company, and is, as far as
its inventor, Mr. Leece, is concerned, original;
but he had been anticipated some twelve or four-
teen years by Lord Vernon, who had used it in
Switzerland in 1849 and 1850, and in whose
possession were several specimens and varieties
of it. This sight differs from all others in the
following respects : The fore sight consists of
the usual bed and screw traversing motion, for
allowance for wind. The guard is a short tube,
of about f of an inch in diameter' (a slight
alteration has since been made in the diameter of
this tube), * one end of which, being movable,
admits of the insertion of a metallic disc, perfo-
rated by an aperture, from ^Icdit^Vi \!cl^ ^s^!^!^^

£2

52 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

derives its name. The sliding bar of the back
sight is made a little wider than usual^ and is
furnished with an eyepiece ; and in lieu of the
usual platinum line or notch, is also pierced with
an apeAure varying in its diameter according to
its distance from the eye, but of such dimensions
as to give the shooter, in aiming, the following
effect: First, the bull's-eye on the target, as
seen through both sights, presents a central black
spot ; the aperture in the disc of the fore sight is
just suflScient to include the bull's-eye, and also
a narrow circlet of the white target; the fore
sight disc and guard give the appearance of a
black circle ; the aperture in the back sight is
also so dimensioned as to include the fore sight
guard, and a similar quantity of the target. The
effect of the whole is therefore a series of con-
centric rings or circles, the bull's-eye forming the
centre (blaxik), a circlet of target (white), the
disc and guard (black), a second circlet of target
(white), and the remainder, all black, being covered
by the face of the sliding bar and its eyepiece.'
I have not used one of the larger guards, but
with them I believe these remarks about circles
do not apply. Each fore sight is provided with
several discs, having their apertures adapted to
the apparent sizes of the bull's-eyes at the different

AIMING, ETC. 53

ranges, and interchangeable as required. Lord
Vernon's sight — who as an amateur, had antici-
pated this invention by several years — is almost
a fac-simile of the one just described. Its guard
is a tube of very similar dimensions, and contrived
to hold at pleasure discs of various powers and of
beautiful workmanship, which his Lordship had
had made in Switzerland, and with which he had
tried numerous experiments.

* These discs embraced almost every variety of
cross-wire sights, as well as aperture, round and
square ; and bead sights, made from the diamond,
ruby, emerald, pearl, and enamel, had each been ex-
perimented upon in its turn, with varying success.'

In my opinion, there is only one objection
to the aperture sight, i. e., that it is too great
strain on the eye. Mr. Walker in ^ The Rifle,
&c.' just published, makes the following remarks
on the aperture sight. He says : * It is evident
that much light is shut off by all these plans,
and therefore the aperture sight is useful chiefly
at short ranges, unless the day is bright and
the air clear.' I feel bound to differ from so
good an authority ; for if the sights are properly
made, nothing but a fog, or the sun shining
straight into your eyes, will prevent you seeing
dearljr through the apertures. T\ift ^^^ ^ertsst

54 NOTES ON EIFLE-SHOOTING.

in making an aperture sight is^ to have the hole
in the back sight too small^ and the one in the
fore sight too large.

There is one very strong point in fevonr of
aperture sightS5 L e.^ that I believe the constant
changes from sunshine to shade and vice versa do
not influence the aim^ and I am not aware that
this can be said of any other sight at present in
use. I have been led to make this remark^ from
the experience of many hundreds of shots fired in
all weathers. With all scientific shots the prac-
tice of marking the back sight with a knife has
quite exploded, and by the use of the Vernier
the shooter is enabled to note down his elevation
in hundredths of an inch, or in degrees and
minutes, the latter being the more scientific way.
There is a great advantage in using the Vernier,
i. e., having found the elevation for any one range,
it may be found for any other by adding or
deducting the number of hundredths of an inch
or minutes which the ascertained elevation is
above or below the average.

Having described the various kinds of sights, a
few words of advice as to their use will not be
out of place.

I am greatly in favour of a moderately quick
ami. Colonel Hawker saya— and ex^TiftTi^<^ Vi^a

AIMING, ETC. 55

proTed to me the correctness of his statement —
* The^rst sight is unquestionably the best.' The
hand never obeys the eye so readily as at first
sight, and the longer you strain the eye the more
indistinct the object aimed at appears ; therefore,
if the aim is not satisfactory at the first attempt,
bring the rifle down, and allow the eye to rest for
a few moments.

Never fire a shot before you are perfectly satis-
fied with the correctness of your aim, from any
foolish feelings that you are keeping the rest of
the squad waiting.

In using an Enfield or bead fore sight, there
are several ways of placing the bead on the tar-
get. Some shots place the bead on the bull's-
eye, others make a figure of eight by placing it
under, whilst others align the fore sight with one
of the comers of the bull's-eye. I do not think
that one plan can be recommended before another,
therefore this point may safely be left as a matter
of choice.

When a man is satisfied with his aim, the next
thing is to ensure the rifie going off* at the right
moment. As I have before said, .this most
important part of the whole business may be
learnt without firing a shot. The moment the
aim 18 commenced, a gradual 'ptes^wt^ ^wiS^\i^

56 NOTES ON EIFLE-SHOOTING.

put on the trigger, so that the slightest extra
squeeze will cause the hammer to fall the instant
the aim is perfected. Some good shots attempt
to hold the aim for some moments, without the-
least knowledge when their rifles will go off.
This is diametrically opposed to the great princi-
ple of shooting, i. e., making the finger obey the
brain.

57

AMMUNITION, LOADING, etc.

One of the great secrets of good shooting is to
see that your ammunition is of the first quality,
and in proper condition. Bad ammunition pro-
duces evil results in many ways, by causing an
uneven and uncertain flight of the bidlet, and
also by increasing the fouling. Let a man once
feel that anything is wrong with his powder, &c.,
and confidence from that moment is lost.

It is needless to say that regularity in the
chaise is of vital importance. In Enfield matches,
where the competition is confined to Government
ammunition, with orders not to inspect the car-
tridges before using them, as at Wimbledon, a
man must then take his chance, and trust to good
fortune giving him ammunition with evenly-
measured charges of powder, properly finished
bullets which are not minus the wooden plug,
&c. I believe the Government ammunition —
1863 make, wrapped in water-proof paper — is
vei7 good, and may be relied otl iox ^^^Kvisaiy^

58 NOTES ON RIPLE-SHOOTING.

shooting. There are many matches where there
are no restrictions as to ammunition ; and for such
as these, as also for private practice, a few hints
may be useful to some of my readers.

First, as regards powder. There should be no
fidse economy used in purchasing this all-impor-
tant agent to rifle-shooting : it cannot be too good.
The refuse of the powder fouls the barrel, and
the greater the amount of dirt, as a natural con-
sequence, the greater will be the fouling. Ex-
perience has proved to me that the very best
powder is the cheapest in its results.

It is not my object to attempt to prove that
one maker's powder is better than another ; how-
ever, I may. say that I always use Curtis and
Harvey's No. 6.

Mr. Whitworth recommends No. 5, made by
the same firm, but I am so well satisfied with
what I have always used that I see no reason to
change.

Uniform strength of powder is a matter of
great importance. This can rarely be obtained
with sufficient accuracy when single canisters are
bought from different gun-makers as they may
happen to be required. I always buy, every
spring, the stock of powder that will last me
through the season ; and to ensoxe a greater

AMMtlNITION, LOADING, ETC. 69

regularity in its strength, I empty the canisters
and mix the powder. After refilling the cases, I
store them in a perfectly dry place, where the
temperature is likely to be uniform. Those who
object to keep any quantity of powder about
their premises should always patronise the same
gun-maker, and ask him if possible to supply it
fixnn the same make as their last purchase.
Colonel Hawker speaks highly of unglazed
powder, as being stronger than glazed, and thinks
that the glazing process is only used to please
the fancy of dandy sportsmen. Captain Lacy, in
his * Modem Shooter,' makes the following most
useful remarks ; I therefore quote them for the
benefit of those who have not read his work.
Speaking of gunpowder, he says — * It is the very
life-blood of shooting ; for if indifferent, the very
best guns are comparatively of but little use. K
good at first, and afterwards kept perfectly dry,
as it ought always to be, it will retain its virtues
unimpaired for a considerable time ; but if it
once get damp, and particularly if it remain so for
any time, the grains have a tendency to dissolu^
tion or decomposition, which no after-drying can
ever so ftdly recover as to restore the powder to
its pristine strength. It ought to be kept wholly
excluded from atmospheric inftaecLOie, «» >Jcl^ «a^-

60 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

petre, especially if not of the purest kind (and it
is often impregnated with marine salt, which
vastly increases its tendency to absorb moisture),
readily imbibes damp ; and powder will preserve
its strength — to say nothing of greater safety
from accidental explosion — better for two years
in tin than for one in wood. When, therefore,
either a sportsman or a retailer in the country
receives his fresh powder from the maker or
the gun-maker in sealed packets or in pound
canisters, he should forthwith take them out of
the cask, and put them into a large canister or
other metallic magazine made for the purpose,
with a close cover and padlock at the top, and
place it in a dry situation — say against the wall
near the kitchen chimney ; and it may be ob-
served, that powder sent in sealed packets should
be immediately poured from the paper in which
it is enclosed into empty dry canisters, and be
corked tight with an india rubber cork.

' The months of June and July are the most
advantageous for laying in a season's stock of
powder.' This alludes, no doubt, to game shoot-
ing : for rijlemen, I should say that spring was
the best time ; * and t6 be always sure of the
best, it should be had direct from the manufac-
tarers themselves, and, if poasible, warm from

AMMUNITION, LOADING, ETC, 61

the mills, as that of the most recent manufacture
(which the makers' trial has proved to be the
strongest), canistered immediately on the spot, is
the best. But if sportsmen do not procure their
powder direct from the mills, in pound canisters,
packed in a cask, they will be best served by the
gunmakers, who generally lay in a fresh stock
for sale a month or two previous to the com-
mencement of the shooting season, and when
their old stock will, probably, have been nearly
exhausted; moreover, they usually procure the
best powder, because on that the killing of their
guns must depend, and, for a similar reason, are
careful to keep it dry, for which purpose they, in
general, have better convenience than the shop
and warehousemen who sell so many different
articles, and who seldom have a place set apart
for gunpowder. At the gunmaker's, too, you
generally find a larger assortment, as they keep
the powder of different first-rate makers, to suit
the various fancies of the customers.'

The above remarks were written some twenty-
five years ago, but most of them are useful hints
to shooters of the present day. I heard a gentle-
man at the last Conference object to Small-bore
shooting, because, he stated, it was necessary to
weigh every charge, I did not coiitt«dk.\.\!icDL^

62 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

the time^ but I can only say that I never fired a
shot with a weighed charge during the whole of
last season^ which was decidedly my most success-
ful one. I formerly weighed both powder and
projectiles^ but discontinued the practice as un-
necessary. There can be no objection to weigh-
ing the charges for those who choose to take the
trouble, but I cannot think they are in any way
rewarded for the hours spent every evening
weighing out the powder for the next day's con-
test, which might be much better occupied either
in taking rest or exercise. Flasks are now made
which, if properly used, are as accurate as neces-
sary. From experience I am led to believe that
one or two grains of powder, above a certain
charge, makes but a few inches difference in the
elevation at long ranges; and even the best of
our riflemen have not arrived at that point of
perfection to be able to shoot to inches at 1,000
yards.

There are many ways of using a flask, but it
matters little which way it is charged, provided
the same plan is always adopted. I give my
flask nine taps against my hip, and find I can
shake within a grain, having carefully tested this
with scales.

There is a great diversity of opinion as to

AMMUNITION^ LOADING^ ETC. 63

what is the correct weight of the charge of
powder; opinions vary from 70 to 110 grains. I
belieye a medium charge to be the best, and
cannot do better than quote the views of Mr.
Leece^ one of our most practical riflemen. He
informs me that he has ascertained from nume-
rous experiments that a barrel three feet long
will only consume about 84 grains of powder,
and that all above that weight leaves the muzzle
unoonsumed, and merely helps to foul the rifle.
He advises those who load from the flask to fire
with 85 grains, thus leaving a slight margin for
inaccuracy of measurement.

A uniform weight of bullet is a matter of great
importance at long ranges. I never weigh Whit-
worth's hexagonals, having perfect faith in their
accuracy ; but were I shooting with the ordinary
cylindrical projectiles, I should pass them quickly
through the scales, for I have found a difference
of 10 grains in the weight of two bullets fix)m
the same box, and I need hardly say that this
would make a bull's-eye into a ricochet at long
range.

Having impressed upon my readers the neces-
sity of having good ammunition, the next point
of consideration is, how to make proper use of it
There is more in loading a rifle pro^tl^ thasL^

64 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING,

often imagined^ and much of the fouling is caused
by a want of knowledge upon this subject.

I think it a bad plan to commence shooting a
match with a perfectly clean bright barrel^ as it
generally takes two or three shots to settle the
rifle down to its regular shooting, and for this
reason, that when the barrel is clean, the bidlet
meets with less resistance than when a certain
amount of fouling has accumulated, and conse-
quently the first few shots will go higher than
those that follow. I have seen some shots of high
repute flash off a small charge of powder before
beginning to shoot, without using either lubrica-
tor or bullet. Nothing to my mind is so bad as
this, the loose powder fouls the barrel to such a
degree, that no good shooting will be got out of
it imtil it has been thoroughly cleaned. This cir-
cumstance was thoroughly exemplified during the
late trial of Small-bores at Woolwich, when a
charge of powder fired without a bullet seriously
diminished Mr. Henry's chances of success.

There is much difference in the shooting of a
warm and cold barrel, more particularly after a
number of shots have been fired ; first, in conse-
quence of the expansion or contraction of the
metal ; and secondly, if the barrel be allowed to
go cold^ the fouling becomes an incrustation.

AMMUNITION, LOADING, ETC. 65

through which the bullet has to force its way.
If any delay has been caused during a match,
Buch as stopping for the markers to dine, I
always throw away a couple of shots before again
beginning to shoot, to endeavour, if possible, to
bring my rifle to the same temperature as when
I left off*, and also to moisten the fouling ; were
I to fire with a cold barrel, I should expect a
ricochet, and I doubt not that my expectations
would be realised.

It is well to adopt one uniform system of load-
ing, both as regards the manner of so doing, and
also as to the time you should allow a charge to
remain in the barrel before discharging it. I
would recommend that the ramrod be marked, to
served as a guide in pressing down both lubricator
and bullet, for if the lubricating mixture is one
time allowed to rest on the top of the powder,
and the next the powder is forced into the wad,
the same results cannot possibly be expected.

I would recommend a Small-bore, in fact any
rifle having a platinum nipple, to be loaded with
the lock at half-cock, as there is less chance of a
miss-fire, by a free current of air having passed
through the touch-hole. I have also found it a
good plan to breathe down the barrel after each
shot; it helps to keep the fouling mo^&t, ^xd^ \si

66 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

force out all foul smoke, &c. I have noticed
that many men are in the habit of wetting the
bullet in their mouths before loading; but I
cannot say much in favour of this, as it is likely
to cause the paper to adhere to the lead instead
of leaving it the moment the bullet is free from
the muzzle : the idea, no doubt, is to assist the
lubrication. I have always found it beneficial to
cut a few slits in the paper with my penknife,
both with the Small-bore and Enfield : this plan
leaves the bullet free to escape from its small
paper cage, which would materially affect its
flight were it to accompany it on its journey.
The greatest care should be taken not to injure
the point, or any part of the bullet, by excessive
ramming home ; it is not at all uncommon to hear
a Volunteer make his ramrod ring and rebound
half way up the barrel, from his mistaken notion,
taken, perhaps, from watching some old game-
keeper, that it is necessary to drive the bullet well
into the powder. It is, of course, a matter of im-
portance that there shall be no space between the
lubricating wad and the powder, and between
the wad and the bullet ; but this can be avoided
without inflicting severe blows on the point of
the unfortunate bullet. Care should be taken
to load with the rifle perpendicular, otherwise the

AMMUNITION, LOADING, ETC. 67

powder will be apt to He unevenly, and a greater
ezplosiye force will be offered to one part of the
bullet than the other.

Haying attempted to describe the manner of
loading, I will now say a few words about the
time a charge should be allowed to remain in the
barrel before discharging it ; in other words, the
proper time to wait before reloading after deliver-
ing your fire. Of course, it must be imderstood
that these and many of my remarks refer only to
target shooting.

In laying down any rule for loading, the state
of the weather should be considered ; for instance,
on a cool day, it matters very little whether you
load soon after you have fired, or whether you
wait until it is close upon your turn again to fire,
provided you adopt the same course throughout
the match. On a burning day, however, such
weather as we had at thejast Winjbledon Meeting,
it is a decided mistake to load immediately after
firing ; for the lubricating wads are half melted
to begin with, unless care be taken to keep them
otherwise, and if allowed to remain long in the
hot barrel, they soon become an oily substance,
run into the powder, and uncertain shooting is
the result. This remark also applies to the
Enfield^ as the wax and tallow ^iH ^qqtcv \£l^\s^
v2

68 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

a very hot barrel. I extemporized a kind of
refrigerator during the very hot days at Wimble-
don, which kept my bullets and wads in good
condition even on the hottest day. I bought a
basket of fruit : having helped to demolish the
contents — which, by-the-bye, didn't spoil my
shooting — I placed my ammunition in the basket
and covered it over with a wet cloth, which
enabled me to indulge in the luxury of iced
bullets. I think as a general rule the following
plan of loading is the best, as it is suited to all
weathers. After firing, supposing my name to
stand first on the register, I allow my rifle to
cool, and commence to reload when the last
man but one of the section is in the act of firing:
by this means, if all goes on without interruption,
I manage to load and fire with my barrel at
about the same temperature.

These and most of my remarks are intended
to apply equally to Small-bore and Enfield.

I would strongly advise, when any doubt exists
on the mind of the firer about the quality of
either powder or bullet in any particular charge,
that it should not be hazarded at the target ; for
instance, a loose-fitting bullet in a package of
tight-fitting ones will always give a ricochet,
the proper ezpanaion not having taken place. I

AMMUNITION, LOADING, ETC. 69

have proved the correctness of this remark on
very many occasions.

It is a great mistake to continue firing after
the rifle has begun to foul badly, which is at
once ascertained by the difficulty of forcing home
the bullet. A foul barrel will drop its shots in
spite of all the firer can do. I have known a
rifle in this condition ricochet at 800 yards with
the sight adjusted for 900 yards. If a rifle is
really very foul it is best to have it properly
cleaned at once ; but slight fouling may be got
rid of in the following manner : load with half
a charge of powder; after working the dirt
down on to the powder with a scratch-brush —
or mechanical rod if using a Small-bore — put
two lubricating wads down the barrel, and be-
tween them several drops of water, then place
the bullet. After firing off the charge the barrel
will be comparatively clean.

With all SmaU-bore rifles fitted with the me-
chanical loading rod, any great accumulation of
fouling is done away with. That is, if the rod is
properly used. Formerly I used to find my rifle
beginning to foul after the 20th or 25th shot, but
since using Whitworth's loading rod, or scraper
as some call it, I can fire one hundred or more
rounds, if required, without th^ «Ji!^\.^'^\»'S^JCNa&L^'^

70 KOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

in tte elevation being caused by a dirty barrel.
Some rifles foul much more than others in conse-
quence of the shape of the grooves, but the
manner in which a rifle is cleaned has often a
great deal to do with its fouling. If dirt or the
least spot of rust is allowed to remain in the
barrel, a man should not blame the maker of his
rifle if it will not shoot.

The habit of putting some fine powder in the
nipple, when a gun misses fire, and then firing
at the target, is strongly to be discouraged. In
the first place there is an uncertainty on the
firer's mind as to whether his rifle will go off* or
not; consequently, if it does go, the shot will
most likely be a bad one, as a hang-fire will in
all probability follow a miss-fire, and the perfect
accuracy of the aim is destroyed.

71

METHOD OF CLEANING A EIFLE

AND KEEPING IT IN PROPER

CONDITION.

A FEW remarks on the method of cleaning a
rifle, and keeping it in condition when cleaned,
may prove of use to those who undertake this
part of a rifleman's duty. There are several ways
of cleaning a rifle after firing, some men
swearing by one system, some by another. I
know an excellent shot who never goes through
the ceremony of cleaning his barrel, but merely
runs an oiled rag once or twice up and down,
and to prevent it from rusting he excludes' all
air by stopping up the muzzle and touchhole
with a lubricating wad. There is also another
noted man amongst riflemen, both as a shot and
an inventor of sights, who discards even the
oiled rag, and fires some hundreds of rounds out
of his rifle without cleaning in any shape or
form. Both these methods are a very comfort-
able way of doing business, for after a hard

72 NOTES ON EliFLE-SHOOTING.

day's shooting, and a good dinner, one certainly
turns out very reluctantly to clean a rifle ; but
neither of them are ways I would recommend.

It is stated by some practical men that water
should never be used in cleaning a rifle, but
that oil only should be used until the barrel is
clean. I must say I do not agree with thiS)
for I feel sure that oil will not remove all the
fouling, particularly out of the corners of the
grooves, and by the use of oil much dirt is likely
to be forced down into the breech.

I have for some years adopted the following
method, and found it to answer better than any
other. I use hot water to remove all fouling,
and force it well through the touchhole; after
this is done, I am most careful to get the barrel
perfectly dry (this is, of course, a matter of the
greatest importance). I leave the barrel for
about half-an-hour, and again rub it well out
with dry rag or tow ; a thin rod of iron made
hot and passed down the centre of the barrel
will insure it being perfectly dry. After drying
the barrel I apply a small quantity of oil. As
a matter of course, I remove all dirt and fouling
from the stock and barrel, particularly about the
lock. On the following morning I again wipe
the barrel out with clean tow or rag, to remove

HOW TO CLEAN A BIPLE. 73

the superfluous oil^ and to satisfy myself that no
rust has made its appearance during the night.

To clean a rifle properly, it is better to have
three kinds of oil. Linseed is best for the
stock; Neatsfoot is what I should recommend
for the barrel — it may be got clarified from most
druggists. The oil issued by Government is the
Bangoon earth oil ; I have tried it, but prefer
Neatsfoot. The oil used for the lock cannot be
too pure, to prevent as much as possible the
movable parts from becoming clogged; a single
drop applied to each part where there is motion
will be found suflScient : the oil used by watch-
makers is the best for this purpose. Nothing
is so likely to put a man off* his shooting as his
lock being out of order, as it is an important
agent^ acting between the mind and the rifle.

I consider that one of the great secrets of
good shooting is for a man to clean his own rifle ;
he would, indeed, be a good man that I trusted
to take charge of mine.

After making a rifle thoroughly clean, the
next thing to learn is how to keep it in that
condition. The greatest care should be taken to
keep your tried and faithful friend free from
all damp ; for once allow rust to eat into the
barrel, and the most delightful little tec^^tacift^

V4 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

for fouling are formed, which all the mechanical
rods in the world will not penetrate. I would
never place a rifle, even in a case, near an
outer wall, and during the recess I would
examine it at least once a week. The following
is Captain Lacy's receipt for preserving a rifle
or gun barrel during the shooting recess : — ^ Get
a strong wooden case (with lock and key), of
interior dimension suited to the number and size
of your barrels, and fit nicely into it a movable
tin case or lining; and within this case, at a
suitable distance from the bottom, fix a plate of
tin, with round holes in it sufficiently large to
allow the breech ends of the barrels to pass
through and to keep the barrels upright. Clean
and dry your barrels thoroughly; and having
stopped the touchholes, vent holes, &c, with
partridge feathers or otherwise, place them,
breech downwards, perpendicularly in this case ;
then fill the case with the best neatsfoot oil,
until the barrels are covered an inch over the
muzzles; and when the oil is settled fill up
again. Lastly, lock the box. Barrels kept in
this manner will not require looking after for
six months.'

I have never tried the above receipt, but feel
fiure it iFiU be found a good one.

75

THE EFFECT OF WIND, AND THE

ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE

FOR IT.

I KNOW of nothing in rifle-shooting more difficult
to acquire, than a thorough knowledge of the
force of the wind, its effect on the flight of a
bullet, and the proper allowances which ought to
be made to counteract its influence. Dr. Inman,
of Liverpool, has invented an instrument, called
an anemometer, to indicate the pressure of the
wind and its direction ; but as riflemen are not
supposed to carry instruments of this description
about with them, it is necessary for them to form
a scale in their own minds, that they may tell the
force of the wind without the assistance of artificial
means.

In attempting to become master of the wind,
it is well to have some regular system of noting
its force and direction. It is impossible for me
to lay down any exact rule for registering the
force of the wind ; I can only describe the plan
I adopts and leave my readers to uae their otktl

76 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

ideas In following it out. I divide the wind's
force into six parts; and in remarking on it in my
note book, I understand —

No. 1, To mean a gentle breeze.
No. 2. „ a moderate breeze.

No. 3. J

, a fresh breeze.

No. 4.

, a strong wind.

No. 5. ,

, a very strong wind,

No. 6. ,

, a gale.

Of course this is a rough and ready way of
estimating the wind's force, but I have found it
to answer all practical purposes. The direction of
the wind, as I have elsewhere mentioned, may be
entered in your note book in many ways. I have
used the three following, and like the* watch*
plan the best. When first I began to shoot, I
entered the direction of the wind as front, rear,
right, left, right front, right rear, rear right,
and so on. I next registered the wind's direction
by drawing an arrow in my book, but gave up
both plans in favour of using the dial of my
watch. I suppose the targets to stand at 12
o'clock and the firer at 6. The direction of the
wind can in this way be registered with the
greatest exactness, as you may have 48 different .-
dirisiona.

ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE FOR WIND. 77

Most of my readers will bo doubt be aware
without my informing them^ that it is a most
diflScult matter to keep in the bull's-eye when
the wind is constantly changing ; indeed with an
Enfield, a man is apt to consider himself fortunate
if he keeps on the target under such circum-
stances. If the wind is the least unsteady, it is
necessary to be ever on the look-out. On most
ranges, especially during matches, there are flags
flying, which assist to denote the direction of the
wind. It is well to observe the direction, both
at the firing point and also at the target, the
smoke of the man's rifle who fires before you, will
show you the former, and the marker's flags, or
if you happen to be in a manufacturing district,
the smoke from a factory chimney, will indicate
the latter. I have found my ears particularly
sensitive, both as regards the direction and force
of the wind, and many times with a rear wind
blowing first over my right shoulder, then over
my left, I have had to thank my ears for warning
me of a sudden change, when I was lying down,
and in the act of pressing the trigger.

For the information of those who are mere
lyros in the art, it may be well to state, that a
gide wind naturally deflects the bullet in the
opposite direction from which the windia blo^m^^

78 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

consequently allowance has to be made in the
aim, or by means of the wind gauge. It must
also be remembered that a side wind has the
effect of depressing the bullet, so that when in-
creased wind allowance has to be made, a slight
increase in the elevation is also necessary, unless
the wind is more from the rear than the side,
when, as a matter of course, a reduction would
be required. A rear wind requires less than the
average elevation, and one from the front more
than the regular standard ; but the increase and
decrease is not in the same ratio, as a front wind
has much more influence on the bullet than one
from the rear.

I believe it to be necessary to make more
allowance for wind blowing from the left than,, for
one from the right, as in the former case the wind
and the ^ drift ' are acting in concert with ea<^
other, whereas in the latter case they are strug-
gling one against the other, and the drift partly
overcomes the influence of the wind. By ^ drift '
is meant the natural tendency of the bullet to
incline to the right, caused by the barrel having
a spiral from left to right. This ^ derivation,' as
the French call it, is very great at long ranges*
Mr. Whitworth furnishes the following table with
Ids nBeSj the correctness of which has often been

ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE FOR WIND. 79

proved by Mr. Leece, in the covered gallery, up
to 500 yards.

The Whitworth Kifle.
Amount of lateral deviation to the right, due to rifling.

100

300

300

400

000

tJOO

700

800

000

1000

YAJiDa

2

5

9

14

20

27

35

44

54

65

Inehea*

Having attempted to describe the effects of the
various winds on the flight of the bullet, the next
thing for me to endeavour is to point out how
these effects may be counteracted.

First of all, in speaking of the Enfield or any
other rifle with a fixed fore sight, I believe the
great fault committed by most riflemen is that of
making too Utile allowance for wind, for with such
a sight they have to aim away from the bull's-
eye, which seems to act as a loadstone to them^
for it is almost injpossible to persuade them that
in order to hit the bulFs-eye they should not aim
direct at it. The following remarks from the
pen of Mr. A. Fellowes, which appeared in the
Volunteer Service Gazette February 27, 1864,
struck me, when I read them, as embodying my
own ideas. In a letter on the subject of wind-

80 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

gauges, &c., Mr. Fellowes writes : — * No sports-
man, I need hardly say, ever makes use of such
contrivances; he knows that one of the great
principles of shooting consists in having faith to
aim, on certain occasions, away from the object,
either in consequence of the motion of such
object, or the deflecting influence of the wind, or
of gravitation on the bullet. Now, there is un-
questionably a strong natural tendency to project
a missile, on all occasions, directly at the mark.

* Inexperienced shots, and indeed many in
whom the habitual use of firearms might have
been expected to dispel the illusion, are very apt,
at the moment of firing, to cheat themselves with
the idea that a direct shot must strike correctly,
although common sense shows the occasional
fallacy of the supposition ; the act is involuntary.
A knowledge, then, of the amount of allowance,
quickness in the application of this knowledge,
and faith in the result, are qualifications on which
success materially depends, and long experience
alone can master.'

The above is a piece of golden advice which
all riflemen should remember, for I feel sure that
many a prize is lost by being afraid to aim well
away from the target.

In the case of Small-bores, with all the won-f

ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE FOR WIND. 81

derfiil contrivances in the shape of wind-gauges,
the necessity of aiming off the bull's-eye is
obviated, and with a steady wind and unchanging
light a man becomes a mere machine.

In using a wind-gauge, I have always found
the following a good plan, particularly when the
wind is gusty. Supposing the wind to be blow-
ing from the right, I adjust my wind-sight so as
to throw the shot, when the wind is at its calmest
point, a few inches from the right edge of the
bull's-eye, so that any increase in its force will
only tend to drive my bullet farther into the
bull's-eye, rather than out of it ; in other words,
I shoot up to the wind rather than away from it.
The greatest care should be taken, when shooting
on a strange range, to ascertain if there are any
peculiar cross-currents. I have known it happen,
that when the wind to all appearances was blow-
ing from the right, allowance had to be made as
if blowing from the opposite direction, to wit, the
Stroud and Bourn Brook (Birmingham) ranges.
A want of knowledge in these peculiarities, I
need hardly say, is fatal to success, especially in
matches where sighting shots are not allowed. I
have arranged the following table of allowances,
taken from the experience of many hundreds of
shots fired during the last few years. The table
a

82 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

applies more particularly to the Whitworth Kifle^
using 85 grains of powder, and Hexagonal Pro-
jectiles, but I have no doubt it will be found to
apply to most Small-bore rifles. Perhaps it may
be well to increase the allowance a little when
using a smaller charge of powder and cylindrical
bullets ; and in the case of the Enfield, about
half as much more allowance will be found correct
up to 600 yards, and rather more than double
that required for the Small-bore for ranges over
600 yards.

These calculations are made witiiout taking
the * drift ' into account ; therefore the allowance
for drift must be added when the wind is from
the left, and deducted if from the right. The
table is arranged for a wind blowing direct across
the range ; a proportional reduction will there-
fore be necessary as the wind approaches the
front or rear.

ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE FOB WIND. 83

Scale of Allowances for Wind, in Feet and Inches, when
Shooting a Whitworth or other Small-bore Eifle.

Right Wind.

FOBCB

1

2

3

4

6

6

Yards

Ft In.

Ft In.

Ft In.

Ft In.

Ft In.

Ft In.

200

3

5

7

9

1 1

1 4

300

5

8

1

1 2

1 9

2 6

400

7

1

1 6

2

3

4

500

010

1 6

2 6

3 6

5

7 6

600

1 4

2

3 6

5

7 6

10

700

1 8

3

4 9

7

9

13

800

2

4

6 6

9

12

17

900

2 8

5 6

8 6

12

16

23

1000

3 6

7

11

16

21

30

Left Wind.

FOBOB

1

2

3

4

6

«

Yabds

Ft In.

Ft In.

Ft. In.

Ft In.

Ft In.

Ft. In.

200

4

6

8

Oil

1 3

1 6

300

6

9

1

1 4

2

3

400

8

1 2

2

2 6

3 3

4 6

500

1

1 8

2 8

4

5 6

8

600

1 6

2 3

4

5 6

8

11

700

110

3 6

5 6

8

10

14 6

800

2 6

4 6

7

10

13

18 6

900

3

6

9 6

13

17

25

1000

4

7 6

12

17 6

22

34

Q 2

84 IfOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

ATMOSPHERE, LIGHT, AND SHADE.

I CONSIDER this decidedly the most important
chapter in my little book, for one of the great
causes of individual success in Rifle-shooting is
being possessed of a practical knowledge of the
effects of light and shade. Experience has taught
xne how certain lights and shadows influence the
aim; and I have endeavoured to ascertain the
reasons for such results. The unfortunate ^ gas-
pipe ' is often blamed for many a miss, when in
reality it has answered the aim (false through
some optical illusion) much better than the firer
imagined.

I am not aware that any work has hitherto
: been published on Rifle-shooting which has dealt
successfully with that most important subject;
for though all writers seem agreed that light and
shade have their influence, yet none have ex-
plained their causes and effects. I have always
considered that for a man to be a really scientific
shotj he should at least poaaeaa «n. elementary

ATMOSPHEBE, LIGHT, AND SHADE. 85

knowledge of optics, otherwise he will frequently
be totally at a loss to account for what appear to
him great eccentricities in either himself or his
rifle. Put a rifle, correctly sighted, into the
hands of a steady man accustomed to shoot, and
if the light remain the same, he will no doubt
produce good results ; but let the light suddenly
change, and his shooting will alter as quickly.

The atmosphere is found in its varied changes
to influence the flight of a bullet.

The barometer and hygrometer are both useful
in assisting to ascertain the required elevation —
the former indicating the pressure of the air, the
latter the amount of moisture it contains. When
no other more important elements, such as wind,
come into play, a low barometer will generally
give a low elevation, and vice versa.

The greater the amount of moisture as indi-
cated by the hygrometer, the lower will be the
elevation ; in fact, if a heavy shower were to
come on whilst shooting, I should, contrary to
common opinion, at once lower my sight. Better
shooting is generally made in damp weather than
in dry : this is mainly owing to the fouling be-
coming moist, instead of forming in a hard gritty
substance.

It is well understood that a dull ^re^ U^t ^&

86 NOTES ON BIPLE-8HOOTING.

the one best adapted for rifle-shooting, when the
targets stand out in bold relief, but unfortunately
for riflemen this state of things d6es not always
exist. It is therefore necessary to know what
to do when a change takes place.

We are taught at Hythe that the sun shining
on our right hand has the effect of lighting up
the right side of the fore sight, and the left side
of the notch of the back sight ; and that, as a
natural consequence, our aim is false, and we
shoot to the left. All this is quite true, but I
think for a man to become a really good shot he
ought to know something of the effect of refrac-
tion, and mirage or extraordinary refraction. I
believe it is said by some that refraction has but
little influence on the aim. I must, however,
differ from those who hold this opinion. It is
pretty well known that if a tube be fixed firmly
in a rest and aligned on any object, that the
object which may be seen through the tube at
one part of the day will be invisible at another.

Refraction is the effect which transparent me-
diums produce on light in its passage through
them. The rays of light proceeding from a dis-
tant target would move in a straight line to the
eye of the person taking aim, if the atmosphere
did not interrapt or change the directLou of the

ATMOSPHERE, LIGHT, AKD SHADE. 87

rays ; when this change takes place the effect is
called refraction, from a Latin word which signi-
£es to break back. It is found that a ray in
passing from one medium into another of different
density falls obliquely, it is turned out of its
course; and popular experiment will serve to
show this in a marked manner. If a shilling be
placed at the bottom of an empty teacup and the
cup at such a distance from the eye that the rim
shall hide the shilling, it will become visible by
filling the cup with water. In the first instance
the rays reflected by the shilling are directed
higher than the eye, but when the cup is filled
with water they are refracted by its attraction.
and bent downwards at quitting it so as to entec
the eye. When the shilling becomes visible by
the refraction of the ray, you do not see it in
the position which it really occupies, but an
image of it higher in the cup : objects always
appear to be situated in the direction of the rays
which enter the eye.

The bent appearance of a stick partially im-
mersed in water, in an oblique direction, is due
to the same cause. The refraction of the sun's
rays by the atmosphere prolongs our days, as it
occasions our seeing an image of the sun, both
before he rises and after he sets ; for below the

88 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

horizon he still shines on the atmosphere, and
his rays are thence refracted to the earth. So
likewise we see an image of the sun before he
rises, the rays that previously fall upon the
atmosphere being reflected to the earth.

The phenomena of mirage or usual refraction
in the elevation of coasts, ships, and mountains
above their usual level when seen in the distant
horizon, have been long known and described under
the name of looming. The name of mirage has
been applied by the French to the same class of
phenomena, and the appellation of Fata Morgana
has been given by the Italians to the singular
appearances of the same kind which have been
repeatedly seen in the Straits of Messina. The
phenomena of the mirage are most frequently
seen in the case of ships when they are just
beginning to appear above the horizon. Mr.
Huddart, Dr. Vince, and Captain Scoresby have
described various appearances of this kind. In
the sandy plains of Egypt the mirage is seen to
advantage. These plains are often interrupted
by small eminences, upon which the inhabitants
have built their villages, in order to escape the
inundations of the Nile. In the morning and
evening objects are seen in their natural form
and position, but when the Burface of the sandy

ATMOSPHEBE, LIGHT, AND SHADE. 89

ground is heated by the sun, the land seems
terminated at a particular distance by a general
inundation ; the villages which are beyond it ap-
pear like so many islands in a great lake, and
between each village an inverted image of it is
seen. That the phenomena of the mirage are
produced by variations in the refractive power of
the atmosphere, may be proved by actual experi-
ment. If the variation of the refractive power
of the air takes place in a horizontal line per-
pendicular to the line of vision, that is, from
right to left, then we may have a lateral mirage,
that is, the mirage of a target may be seen on
the right or the left of the real object, or on both
if the variation of refractive power is the same
on each side of the line of vision. If there
should happen at the same time both a vertical
and a lateral variation of refractive power in the
air, and if the variation should be such as to ex-
pand or elongate the object in both directions,
the object would be magnified as if seen through
a telescope, and might be seen and recognised at
a distance at which it would not otherwise have
been visible. If the refractive power, on the
contrary, varied so as to contract the object in
both directions, the image would be diminished
as if seen through a concave lens«

90 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

Excessive heat has its effects on the aim in
rifle-shooting. On a hot burning day, when the
whole atmosphere appears to dance, less elevation
is required, as your aim is directed at an imi^-
nary target, raised above the real one, in conse-
quence of the great amount of refraction. This
effect has been exhibited in a marked manner by
Dr. WoUaston, by looking along the side of a
red-hot poker at some printed letters, ten or
twelve feet distant ; at a distance of three-eighths
of an inch from the line of the poker, an inverted
image was seen. I feel a certain amount of diffi-
dence in making any positive assertions as to the
effect of various lights on the aim, but I have
arrived at the following conclusions from ex-
perience, and believe them to be correct. The
reasons for the required alterations in the aim
may, I think, be accounted for in my remarks
on refraction and mirage. From a series of
experiments, I have been led to believe that, if
shooting on a dull day, and the sun suddenly
appears and lights up your sights, still leaving
the target dull, more elevation will be required ;
that is to say, if you continue to shoot with the
same elevation as you had before the sim ap-
peared, your shot will fall low. My views on
this point were strengthened last year at Wim-

ATMOSPHEBE, LIGHT, AND SHADE. 91

bledon. I was watching a squad of first-rate
men shoot in the first stage Queen's prize, at 600
yards. The day was rather dull, but the sun
appeared every few minutes ; and as sure as he
made his appearance, so sure did the whole squad
ricochet. If, shooting under similar circum-
stances, and the sun appears and lights up the
targety you require less elevation. This was
strongly exemplified at the Swiss target at Wim-
bledon.

If shooting on a clear, bright day, with the
sun shining on the target, you will require more
elevation when he is hidden behind a cloud;
and less elevation will be required when the sun
is hidden, if you were previously shooting with
his rays shining on your sights.

I think the following rules will be found to
apply to shooting at 500 yards, and allowances
for other ranges may be taken from this : —

When shooting on a dull day, and the sun
appears and lights up the target, aim two feet
lower ; if it appears in front, and lights up the
sights and not the target, aim two feet higher.

When shooting on a bright day, with the sun

in front, if he disappears, aim two feet lower. If

the sun be at your back, or on one side, so as to

light up the target^ and he disa^^eocs*^ ^mjcl tw<^

feet higher..

92 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

The following experiments, made by Mr. Brazil,
tend to substantiate my remarks. Mr. Brazil feel-
ing convinced that refraction had much influence
on rifle-shooting, fixed a rifle-barrel and sights
firmly in a rest against the side of his house, and
left it there for some months, carefully making
observations almost every day. The target on
which the experiments were made was placed
450 yards from the rest, and faced SSE., so
that the sun set almost behind the target. The
sights were aligned just under the bull's-eye on
an average day, clear, but no sun, and as changes
in the light and atmosphere took place, the target
appeared unmistakeably to have moved.

On a damp, gloomy day, the target always
appeared low.

Sun setting behind the target, the target ap-
peared low.

On a clear, bright day, the target appeared
high.

A gleam of sunshine on the target, not on the
firer, the target appeared high.

When the sun went behind a cloud, the target
would distinctly drop. The greatest difierence
observed between highest and lowest appearance
was^ve feet.

93

KEEPING NOTES.

No careful man will ever think of shooting
without keeping some record of his practice, not
so much as regards the marks made, but with
reference to the elevation, &c., he required in
particular lights and winds. The rule of thumb
is all very well for some things, but it is but a
poor measure for rifle-shooting : changes in light
and wind are so constant, and require correspond-
ing alterations in the elevation, wind-gauge, or
aim, that some accurately kept record is quite
necessary to assist the memory.

Any system of keeping notes will answer, pro-
vided it is understood by the person intending to
use it

On arriving at a range for the first time, I
think it a good plan to make a slight sketch of
the ground, carefully marking all gullies, hills,
&c., then note down which way the targets face,
and anything that strikes you as likely to influ-
ence the flight of the bullet. Endeavour Xfs find

94 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

out the true course of the wind ; in some ranges
you will find this a diflScult matter — the new
Stroud range to wit — ^for flags will often blow
towards all points of the compass at the same
moment.

As the day passes^ you will, no doubt, dis-
cover that the light is much worse at one part of
the day than another, and also that the wind rises
at about two o'clock, or it may be the con-
trary, and experience will prove to you which
is the best time to shoot A few careful remarks
will, no doubt, be of advantage to you the next
time you visit the range. I think it well to
record the height of the barometer and hygro-
meter, as both, particularly the latter, are some
guide as to elevation ; next I would make a re-
mark as to the state of the atmosphere, whether
objects appeared distant or near, the position of
the sun if shining, the light, &c., then record
the direction and force of the wind, and amoimt
of allowance required to be made, either in the
aim or by means of the wind-gauge.

There are many ways of recording the direo-
tion of the wind : it matters little which method
ifi used if understood by the firer, but I think
the face of your watch, as previously stated,
forma the most useful way ; as, by supposing the

KEEPING NOTES. 96

target to stand at twelve o'clock to face the firer
standing at six o'clock, you may get 48 different
directions, if so many are thought necessary.
The force of the wind may be entered in the
rough and ready manner I have already de-
scribed, or by the more scientific system of
miles per hour, but this requires the use of an
anemometer.

After noting down all these circumstances,
the most important is to record their effect on the
elevation, &c. I think it advisable to strike an
average of your sighting at all distances, and to
enter in your note-book whether you require
more or less than your regular standard; this
will guide you in adjusting your sights for the
next range. Should any change take place
whilst you are shooting, endeavour to account
for it; and after coming to some satisfactory
conclusion in your own mind, remark on it in
your note-book. It is well to know the exact
difference every hundredth of an inch on the
back sight and wind-gauge makes on the target,
so that any error in elevation or direction may
be corrected with the greatest accuracy. If
every riflemen were to act up to the advice I
am giving him, there would be little use in
sighting shots, which, in my opinion, ace hotk

96 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

•wrong in principle and unfair, as they place the
careful and careless shot on an equal footing,
and, as some one remarked at the late conference,
we cx)uld hardly expect our enemies to mark
time whilst we had sighting shots at them.

97

POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED WHEN
SHOOTING.

There are one or two useful points that a
rifleman should not forget whilst engaged in a
contest. He should give his whole attention to
the work he has in hand; there are so many
things that require constantly watching, such as
a sudden change in either light or wind. We
often see a man enter into an interesting con-
versation on some subject totally foreign to the
one iQ which he is engaged; and after the
oflScer in charge of the squad has had the trouble
of calling out his name once or twice, he
hurriedly goes to fire, fires away his muzzle
stopper and ruins his rifle, or attempts to fire
without even loading, or half-a-dozen things
equally foolish. But not to appear too hard upon
the poor man, I will allow that he has loaded
his rifle, and goes prepared to make a bull's-eye ;
but in the deep interest he has taken in the
conversation with his friend he has quite for-
gotten to notice that the wind has suddenly
K

98 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

changed; and probably a miss will reward his
want of attention.

I would have a man seat himself away from
the busy throng, and carefully watch all the
elements likely to disturb the true flight of the
bullet. If you have confidence in the shooting
of one or two men who fire before you, watch
where their shots are signalled ; there may be
a change in the strength of the wind which you
do not perceive at the firing point, and a slight
alteration of the wind gauge or aim may gain
you a bull's-eye, which you would have lost had
you not been on the look-out. Always try to
follow a really steady shot ; you may learn much
from tlio position of his hits without asking him a
question. If the sun is very powerful I would,
of course, keep as much as possible in ihe shade,
both to save my eyes and head. I have found
a freshly-gathered cabbage leaf, placed in the
crown of my hat, a most useful way of keeping
tlio head cool. Avoid straining the eyes by
looking through a telescope.

There is another point which should be avoided,
and that is, being anxious to know what scores
others have made. Make the best possible score
you oan, and leave others to do ihe same ; the
fnct ofJcnowing that Mr. So-aaid-So has made a
buWa^yo every shot, ^lUL not m iCbL^\«d&\.\vSi:!^

POINTS TO BE BEMEMBEBEP. 99

you to do so; perhaps quite the contrary, by
causing you uneasiness at a moment when you
should be perfectly calm. Avoid disputes of any
kind. You will nearly always find some one
ready to object to something or other. Some
men are never happy unless they are making
others as miserable as themselves. If a man pro-
tests against anything I do, I simply go on shoot-
ing, and refer him to the mnpire. Were I to
lose my temper and argue the point, I should most
likely also lose the match, and my friend would
gain his point. I trust that this remark may not
be misunderstood ; but as the exception proves
the rule, so there are one or two objectionable
men amongst the many thousand good fellows we
meet at rifle contests.

I would strongly advise that a man should con-
form strictly to the conditions of a match, and
never endeavour to take the slightest advantage
of the rest of the competitors.

There is only one more point that strikes me,
and that is, never to hurry to a firing point
under the supposition that you are late, and on
this principle : that if you run you may be in
time: but you will have spoiled your shooting, and
will be sure not to win. Whereas if you walk^
you may be in time^ and consed^ently may ^vcl%
h2

100 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL
RIFLE RANGES IN GREAT BRITAIN,

WITH THE PECULIARITIES ATTACHED TO EACH.

I HAVE devoted this chapter to a description,
taken from personal experience, of the various
rifle ranges in England and Scotland, where
annual meetings are held, pointing out any pecu-
liarities of light or wind, and the best time of
day to shoot, in the hope that my experience may
prove useful to those of my readers who are
strangers to any of the following ranges : —

Barton Moss.

The ranges of the 1st and 3rd Manchester
Rifle Corps are situated here. The range is a
dead level, and free from all eccentric cross cur-
rents or peculiarities of light and shade. The.
range of the 1st Manchester extends to 900
yards; that of the 3rd Manchester to 1,000
jf^dB, with a resident marker, and every ac-

BANGES. 101

commodation for private practice. The tar-
gets face south-west, consequently the light is
good all day. The prevailing wind is left or
right rear, which generally dies away towards
evening. Some excellent practice may be made
about six o'clock. There is a railway station,
liondon and North-Western Railway, within
twenty yards of the 3rd Manchester range. The
elevation required on Barton Moss is about the
average.

SOUTHPORT.

This range is situated on the sands, and is
available up to 1,100 yards. The targets, three
in number, face south-west, which keeps the
gun where it should be for rifle-shooting. I
have always found the elevation very low on
this range, and lower in the afternoon than in
the morning ; like all ranges situated on the sea
sands, there is much mirage. There is nothing
peculiar about the wind, excepting that you often
have to shoot in a gale. The range is now
leased to Mr. Blanch, of Liverpool, who provides
a marker and every accommodation for those
who wish to shoot, subscriptions being received
bj the jear, quarter, month, \je^k, ort ^-^^^ 5«?^.

102 notes on bifle-shooting.

Altcab.

This is one of the finest ranges in England, as
far as number of targets is concerned; they
are placed against the sand hills, which form an
excellent butt, and misses are easily seen by the
bullet throwing up the sand. The light in the
middle-day is not good, but towards evening it
greatly improves. An average sighting on this
range will be found correct. Care should be
taken to notice the exact angle at which the
various ranges are laid out, or mistakes in allow-
ing for wind will occur ; for instance, the second
and first-class ranges gradually diverge, and if
the wind is blowing from the right rear, you
require less allowance for wind at 800 yards than
at 600. I think the large sighting target is apt
to deceive. I have found the elevation and wind
allowance between the large and small targets
quite difierent, particularly if there is any wind.

Wimbledon.

Every rifleman has heard so much of this

famous range, the Newmarket rifle-range, that I

need . not say much in description of it. The

range is a dead level, or nearly so ; the targets

are placed against high earthwork butts, and face

RANGES^ 103

the east^ so that the light is best early in the
morning or late in the evening, in fact the best
time to shoot is unfortunately after the markers
have left the butts. The wind blows pretty
evenly across the common, and is easily judged
as regards direction by observing the long row of
flags which fly near the council tents, and also
the distant danger flag. At the 200 yards range
it must be remembered that the wind comes
sweeping up a gully and is apt to deceive in its
force. The sighting at the Pool and 200 yards
targets is not quite the same. I have always foimd
the wind at Wimbledon steadier when blowing
from the right than when coming from the left.
The system adopted at this great meeting of
having sighting targets, say at Nos. 5 and 6, and
shooting for the prize at No. 25, is very apt to
mislead the firer, as the targets lie at different
angles, and for some extraordinary reason target V
(1,000 yards) requires a rather higher elevation
than target X5 although they are close together.
This is worth remembering, as the one is often
used as a sighting target for the other.

The 800 yards Swiss target blighted the hopes
of many good shots last year, for after making
several consecutive bull's-eyes, and booking the
prize as a certainty, the sun would suddeivL^

104 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

appear and a miss would be the inevitable result.
In consequence of the target being composed of
too thin material it became perfectly transparent
when the sun came out, and one of the many
optical illusions, the bane of riflemen, occurred,
and instead of striking the bull's-eye as in former
shots, the bullet passed some inches over the
target When making a good score it is a difli-
cult matter to persuade a man to alter his sights,
but if the Swiss targets remain the same trans-
parent articles this year as they were last, I
shall certainly lower my sights a twentieth of
an inch, when I see the target suddenly appear
like a sheet used to display a magic lantern.
It should also be remembered that when the
sun shines through the Swiss target it requires
less elevation than the iron one, which is close
at hand, and is used for sighting, as the sun
acts on the targets in exactly opposite ways,
lighting up the Swiss target, which causes your
shot^ to go high, whereas the iron target remains
dull, and your sights only are influenced, which
will cause you to shoot low. There is much
mirage at Wimbledon, and some strange optical
^illusions take place, which the firer should be on
his guard against.

BANGES. 105

Wimbledon ( Civil Service and London Scottish),

This range is situated a little to the right of
that used by the National Rifle Association, The
targets are placed against the side of the hill,
and face NE, ; the ground gradually slopes from
the firing point to the target, I have twice
used this range, and found the elevation below
the average, especially towards afternoon.

LouGHTON (High Beach).

This is a most picturesque range, but unlike
most ranges where the scenery is really beautiful,
there are no peculiar cross currents. The targets
are placed against a wood, which forms a good
background, and the light is good. The ground
rises gradually from the firing point. I found the
elevation considerably below the average.

Hythe.

This vast Government range, used by the
School of Musketry, is situated on the shingle,
about half-a-mile from the town. It is, perhaps,
one of the most difficult ranges in England
to shoot well on. The mirage is considerable,
the sun dancing on the bright stones in a
most tiresome manner. There is oftaxL \sk»s3ol

106 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

Wind, which increases towards midday. Those
of my readers who should happen to be selected
by Lord Bury to compete at Hythe for the
honour of representing England in the * Inter-
national Match,' should notice that the long
ranges used for the competition lie at different
angles, and that in moving from one to the
other an alteration should be made both in ele-
vation and wind allowance. When it blows at
Hythe, considerably above the average allowance
for wind will be necessary. On ordinary days
the elevation is about the usual standard, but
in hot bright weather the sighting is decidedly
low.

Beownhills (Staffordshire).

This range is generally used for the Stafford
Coimty Meeting. It is situated on marshy
ground, consequently on hot days there is much
mirage, otherwise the light is good. The pi'e-
vailing wind is from the front. The 800 yards
range is difficult to judge, as you shoot up
a sort of cutting with an opening at the top;
any change in the direction or force of the wind
is not easily seen. Sighting is rather below
the average.

BANGES. 107

Bristol (Sneyd Park).

This range is situated in one of those pic-
turesque spots^ which are not generally easy
to shoot in, consequent on the prevalence of
cross currents. The targets are placed at the
foot of a high hill, and when firing at long
ranges you shoot across the river. The range
is bounded on both sides by high hills, which
prevent the wind having full play, excepting
from the left front The targets face about
south, so that the light is good; by this I
mean, that the sun when out is on the targets.
I should say, as a rule, that decidedly the best
time of the day to shoot on this range is towards
evening. I noticed the Bristol men waited until
evening, and they should know the peculiarities
of the range better than any one. I fancy the
ebb and flow of the tide would affect this range,
especially when the wind is from the left point,
when I should expect it to rise with the tide.

York (Strensall Common).
The county meeting is held on this range.
There is no background to the targets, conse-
quently, in bad lights, they are rather indistinct.
The ground falls gradually from the firing point,
but in no way to influence the elevation. The

108 NOTES ON RIFLE-SHOOTING.

country is perfectly open, so that the wind has
full play, and does not blow in treacherous and
fitftJ currents. Sighting below the average.

Birmingham (Bourn Brook).

This is a level range, with the target placed
against a high bank. The light is very bad to-
wards evening, and decidedly the best shooting is
made early in the morning. The target is seen
with the greatest difficulty towards five o'clock
when using aperture sights, unless there be a fine
clear grey light. There is a peculiar cross cur-
rent blowing from the left ; for when the wind
appears to be coming from the right, wind allow-
ance is required as if it were from the opposite
direction.

Wells.

This is another of the pretty ranges; the
targets are placed against a hill, and you shoot
across a valley from rising ground on the opposite
side. The light is good. If there happens to be a
side wind, extra allowance should be made for ife,-^
as the current comes sweeping up the valley.
The branches of the trees form a good guide if
the wind is unsteady, as you may hear a gust
coming up the valley before it actually reaches
you. I found the proportionate increase between

BANGE8. 109

500 and 600 yards did not answer on this range.
Sighting decidedly below the average.

Gloucester (The Over Eange).

This is a beautiful level range ; the targets are
placed against a high brickwork butt. Unfortu-
nately they face the wrong way for the light,
which is not good for long during the day; in
fact, in the evening it is decidedly bad, and
aperture sights are perfectly useless, so much so
that I missed the target lying down at 200 yards.
The best time to shoot is any time before noon.
The wind is usually steady, and free from pecu-'
liarities. Sighting about the average.

Hereford.

This range is situated by the side of the river,
about a mile from the city. The targets are
placed against a hill, the ground gradually sloping
towards the firing point. The range is protected
on the left by a wood. The light is bad towards
afternoon. Sighting below the average.

Inverness.

The prize meeting of the Highland Rifle Asso-
ciation is held here, and takes place during the:
Northern Meeting, so that, in addition to a moat

110 NOTES ON BIFLE-8HOOTING.

Eberal progianmie^ there is plenty to attract an
adventurous rifleman^ should he wish to go so £Eir
north* Two years ago, I believe I was the only
Englishman present, and was looked upon at the
beginning of the meeting as rather insane ; last
year many of our best southern shots were
present. Accommodation is at a high premium
during the meeting, 10*. 6rf. per night being no
uncommon charge for a bed. The range, which
is situated about a mile from the town, is a good
one, there being no peculiarities of light or wind.
There is no background to the targets ; the sight-
ing about the average.

Stkoud — * Old Range.'

This range is beautifully situated as far as
scenery goes, but I cannot say quite as much for
it when shooting is concerned. The targets face
the south, and are placed against the side of a
hill, and so peculiar are the currents that it is not
nncommon for the wind to blow from one direc-
tion at the firing point, and from another at the
target, which is of course apt to mislead unless
carefully watched. I believe under such circum-
stances as these it is best to aim direct at the
bull's-eye. The elevation at 600 yards is below
the average, and at 600 above it A distant

BANGES. Ill

factory chimney forms a good guide for the direc-
tion of the wind. The above description applies
to the range used at the Stroud contest, 1863.
This year it has been removed, and I am able to
give a description of the

Steoud * New Eange,'

its peculiarities being unpleasantly fresh on my
memory — unpleasant only as far as my own in*
different shooting with an Enfield is concerned.

The new range at Stroud is certainly the most
difficult I ever saw to shoot well on ; for what
with extraordinary currents and constant changes
in the light, it is almost necessary to alter your
aim every shot. The range is said to be half-a-
mile from the town, and so it may be from the
extreme outside cottage, but it is at least a mile-
and-a-half from the station. It is situated in a
beautiful valley, some 300 feet deep, across which
you shoot. The targets are placed about two-
thirds up the side of the hiU, the firing points
being in echellon on the opposite one. At 200
yards you shoot very much up hill ; at 300, about
the same angle, down hill ; and at 500 and 600,
somewhere about level. The targets face about
NW., the sun being in your eyes in the morning.
I noticed that light and shade had a great effect

112 NOTES ON BIFLE-SHOOTING.

on the shooting at Stroud, and those who made
no alteration in the aim to correspond with a
change of light suffered in consequence ; for, if
shooting in the afternoon, with a dead grey light
on the target, and the sun suddenly appeared and
brightened up the target, you would see men,
who had the shot previous made a bull's-eye,
send the next a foot over the target. Some of
our best Enfield shots appeared quite at home
with the light and shade effects ; but I think the
wind at Stroud was the master of all of them.
I never fired on such a range for wind, for when,
to all appearances, judging from the flags, it was
blowing strong from the righty aim had to be
taken at the left edge of the target, to enable the
shooter to hit it; but even this did not hold
good for many shots, for, without any perceptible
change in the strength or direction of the wind,
you would, after making a bull's-eye, go yards to
the right or left the next shot. A flag, placed on
a high pole, is most required at Stroud, placed
half-way down the hill, on the right of the target.
The elevation is considerably below the average.
Nothing can be better or more comfortable
than the accommodation provided for competitors.
Covered sheds are erected at the firing points,
with seats, and hooks to hang coats, &c. ; the

RANGES. 113

greatest order and regularity prevail, and nothing
but the selection of a time of the year when fine
weather may be expected is required to make
Stroud a popular meeting. Cold bleak March
winds do not add much to the enjoyment of any
rifle contest.

Shotwick.

The Cheshire Rifle Association hold their
annual meetings on this range, which is one of
the finest I ever saw. The range is situated on
a perfect level of about 400 acres of meadow
land. The targets, between 20 and 30 in number,
are placed against a large sea wall, which forme
an excellent butt. The light is good. There are
no peculiar cross currents, and the force and
direction of the wind is easily judged. The eleva-
tion required is about an average one. Shotwick
is easily reached from either Liverpool or Chester;
a liberal prize list, and most beautiful scenery,
will repay any man for the trouble of a visit.

114 NOTES ON EIFLE-SHOOTING.

CONCLUSION.

Having loaded my rifle with what I hope is
good ammunition, I fire this my first shot at the
public, hoping that they in return will give me
a bull's-eye, by not being too severe in their
criticism on my attempt to assist my brother
riflemen. I shall continue to take careful notes
of all my practice, and should a second edition
be required, I hope to be able to correct former
errors, and give further information. Travestying
England's brightest bard, let me say in con-
clusion :

' If public approbation I experience, ,

I'll fire another shot about a year hence.'

Loirijojr

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Fore-sight*, with all the latest improvements, fitted on the shortest notice.
All kinds of alterations and repairs.— Wholesale and Retail, 68 Hatmarkbt,
S.W.— Murcott's Register ea SightlBlevator, invaluable to Shots, by which
they can move and register their Sights the 200th part of an inch.

LONDON ARMOURY COMPANY

(LIMITED),

36 KING WILLIA.M STREET,

LONDON BRIDGE,

SOLB MANUFACTURERS OP THE

Regulation Interchangeahle Long Enfield Bifle, and
the Interchangeable Kerr Small-bore Rifle.

PATENTEES OF THE

Kerr Bevolver Pistol; Deane & Adams' Revolving Pistol.
Gunners' Brass Sheathed !Bamrods.

W0RK8:-VICT0RIA PARK MILLS,

OLD EORD, ^.

Advertisements

BURROW'S TELESCOPES.

THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL GLASSES FOR
RIFLE PRACTICE. ^ ,. d.

No. 1. For Enfield Ranges, Bronzed and Covered, Cap and Strap ..220
No. 2. For Small-bore Ranges, ditto ditto, with Fancratic Tube.. 8 8
No. 2. Ditto ditto, ditto ditto, ditto and Son-sbade.. 8 10
No. 3. Ditto ditto, ditto ditto, ditto ditto ..550
No. 4. Ditto ditto, ditto ditto, ditto ditto ..660
No. 5. Ditto ditto, large Standard Target Telescope, with

Mahogany Tripod Stand, Rack Adj ustment, Scoring-board, &c. 9 9
No. 6. Ditto ditto, ditto, with Jointed Stand, the whole

fitting into Mahogany Box 12

The Telescopes Nos. 2 and 3 are the most powerful and convenient Hand
Telescopes. No. 4 is portable and can be slang over the shoulder, but re-
quires a rest or stand when in use. It is a very powerful glass. Nos. 5 and
6 are intended for* Corps 'Glasses, and are so powerful that no Marker is
required when they are used, all the shot marks being distinctly visible at
the longest ranges.

TESTIMONIALS.

From H. B. Webster, Esq.
' Lord Vane has shown me a Telescope he purchased of yon, which I like
so much I wish you to send me a similar one as soon as you can. Lord Yane
tells me the price is three g^iineas.'

From Captain Robert Tucker, 9th Devon R.V.

* I can now give yon the result of two months' use of your Six Guinea Glass.
I have tried it at every range up to 1,000, and in all weatliers, and it has fully
answered the description you gave me of it. Everywhere its powers have been
much admired.'

From Captain C. J. Cox, 7th Cinque Forts Rifle Volunteers.

* I have much pleasure in giving my testimony to the excellence of your
Nine Guinea "Long Range Target Telescope.** It is in my estimation the
most perfect thing of the kind 1 have seen. The Right Hon. Lord Harris,
who presided at the Margate F6te and distributed the Prizes, viewed the
shooting through your glass, and has given permission for you to make use
of his name in recommendation of it.'

Times.
' The instruments of Messrs. Burrow, of " Malvern Glass " celebrity, a
firm of no mean pretensions, combine the recommendation of high magnify-
ing power with a wide and brilliant field.'

Volunteer Sbrvicb Gazette.
'Messrs. Burrow's Telescopes are glasses of great power, showing the
hits distinctly at 1,000 yards.*

Telescope Rests and Tripod Stands, of best make, from bs, to 50s.

All Telescopes and Field Glasses of Messrs. Burrow's Manufacture bear
their Name and Address,

W. & J. B URROW, MALVERN.

London Agents ;— B. ARNOLD, laBK«L*iL^T^t«t,"W.
WALES and CO., 66 Cheap! ids, and a^ Ludoi^t* ^^i;^t, 'e*.^.

Advertisements,

IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS

nr

RIFLE TELESCOPES.

JOHN B. DANCER,

OPTICIAN,
MANUFACTURER OF TELESCOPES,

43 CROSS STREET, MANCHESTER.

CPrize Medal and Honorable Mention, Exhibition 1862.^

J. B. D. has the pleasure to announce that aflter much labour he
has succeeded in producing BULE TELESCOPES combining high
power, large field of view, and fine definition, with short foail
length — qualities which have never until now been attained in the
same instrument.

Three sizes of these really first-class Telescopes will shortly be
ready for delivery, in well-made leather-covered bodies, with straps.

Prieei with Object Glasses', —

14 inch diameter 60s.

2 inches „ SOs.

H ,, ,. lOOs.

*«* Other sizes of these new Telescopes will be announced as
soon as completed.

A NEW BINOCULAB BIFLE or FIELI) GLASS, with three
changes of power, the most efficient yet ofiered to the public, in
Black Sling Cases, at 72s., 788., 84s., 90s., and 96s. These are
equally useful for the Bifle practice. Landscape, and Opera. These
Instruments safely packed and forwarded to any part of the world
on receipt of Post Order or Cash Bemittance.

J. B. B. was appointed by Her Majesty'i Commissioneri sole
contractor for Opera and View Olasies to the International
ExiaUtion 1862.

Advertisements.

^^^^"^^

HAKTTFAOTirBED BY

THOMAS TURNER,

8 FISHEE STEEET,
BIRMINGHAM,

PATENTEE 07 THE

'TURNER RIFLE.'

The peculiar property of this Rifle is that it never fouls, 2,500
shots haying been fired out of one over a period of some months
without once wiping out, which proves its superiority as a Military
Weapon, and for Match Shooting it is equal to any Bifle yet invented.

TURNER'S DOUBLE-BARREL RIFLES

Are acknowledged to be the most accurate for Match Shooting, and
with Shell the most destructive for Sporting purposes ever sent to
India.

Thomas Titbveb begs to announce that he has adapted his
rifling to be used with MechanicaUy-fitting Bullets,
with very satisfactory results.

ICANUEACTUBEB OF ETEBY DEBCBIFTION OF

DOITBLE AND SINGLE BREECH AND MTTZZLE
I ; LOADING FOWLINGwPIECES.

P PROPRIETOR OF WILKINS'S PATENT BREECH LOADER.

CONTBACTOn TO HEU MAJESTY'S ^AB.T>1ESKBrCVCE^T.