The New York herald., 1875-09-27
THE CANADIANS DEFEAT.
WHAT THEY SAY WAS THE CAUSE OF THEIR
FAILURE-LIGHr AMMUNITION AND ''FIsH-
TAIL" WIND.

WHAT THEY SAY WAS THE CAUSE OF THEIR
FAILURE-IIGHr AMMUNITION AND '.FIsH-
TAIL" WIND.
In a very interesting conversation which was had
yesterday with Mr. T. MacKecan. Vice President OF
the Victoria Rifle Club OF Hamilton, Canada that gen
teman attributed the failure Of the Canadian rifle team
Saturday 10 unfavOrable combination Of circum-
stances over which the Canadians
CONTROL
He stated that at the last practice match which
held about fortnight ago. the scored $50 out Of
l. 800 points, which eighteen more than what was
made at Wimbledon in 1875 for the Elcho Challenge
Shield On that occasion Mr. J. J. Mason accomplished
a record Of 2O4 out Of possible 225, three more
than had been made in the Echo Shield match in any
individual this year The recorded by them
on Saturday last was the lowest made since
they commenced practising a team One OF
the reasons for this is to be found in the
fact that the ranges OF the Victoria Rife Club at
Hamilton, the shooting is done facing the northwest,
and southeast wind is hardly experienced 1t is
almost unknown there.
''FIsH-TAIL WIND
peculiar to Creedmoor does not prevail in Canada
Another disadvantage under which the Canadians abored
that they had not sufficient number of their
men on the ground TO act as ''coachers" attend to
keeping and watch the butts while the Americans
Clubs members had all the aid they required this
important particular Then, again, the Americans
heavier bullet, which, OF course requires a larger
charge OF powder, and consequently they have the
benefit of iatter trajectory, WITH at the time
an increased initial velocity and greater resisting
power OF the bullet against contrary drifts OF wind 1t
is admitted that
THE Rack POSITION
used by the Americans in firing is much steader than
the military way OF shooting adopted by the Canadians
The back position almost amounts to a fixed rest /;
whereas in firing with the face forward If man has
any unsteadiness or nervousness about him, is
70 manifest itself in the muscles of the arm.
Mr.. MacKecan claims that with military rifles, and
firing from the front position the Canadians would be
far superior to their late opponents With regard to
the amount of powder as driving charge the Cana
dans could not use more than ninety grains even IL thew
were disposed TO do The reason of this seeming
anomaly appears to be that after increasing the charge
above ninety grains their muzzle loading guns foul
rapidly from a residuum left in the barrel,
/ mixed with the particles OF unburnt powder as to
! render the weapon ineffective. When the charge is
largely increased al the powder is not consumed
/ With American breech-loaders no inconvenience like
this is felt there IS great advantage TO be found in
the facility with which they can be cleaned and in
marksman's handling perfectly clean gun after each
shot This is not with the muzze-oader the longer
you re with 1t the fouer 1t gets until the piece be-
comes at last to certain extent unreliable. 1t is
pretty certain that when the Canadians and the Amer
cans again try conclusions before the butts the former
will not only use breech loading guns, but cock their
TOWARD TARGET.
So impressed OF the necessity of this change have
they become that their captain MI. Murray has
already announced his intention OF taking Remington
long range gun with him upon his return to Canada
The nerve and seadiness of the Canadians was fully
demonstrated the 900 yards distance where nowith
standing the disadvantages under which they were labor
ing their better than that Of the Americans
two shots-one by Schwarz, who fired with
out bullet, and the other by D. MitchelI's pushing
accidentally forward with his hat the tangent scale of
his piece. With days practice and cross wind
blowing If any opinion can be formed from the average
OF former practices OF the Victoria Kihe CLUB, the
Saturday than they did In practice matches 100
points considered only ordinary score; whereas
on Saturday, the highest showed but lS9.
1t a condition Of the match that the visiting team
should have at least days practice before the contest
This condition fulfilled but the Amateur Club are
not to blame as the morning when the team ought
have practiced the military in possession of
the ranges The Canadians however, do not complain
and recognize the handsome manner in which they
were treated by the members OF the Amateur Rifle
Club
A PROVINCIAL TEAM
In Canada there great many good marksmen
among whom provincial team be chosen. on such
team not more than ehaif of the men who shot
Saturday would be able TO conquer place The Cana
dans hope that next year they will be able put In
the lists at the grand contemplated tournament near
Philadelphia team which shall be able to ''hold its
own with the world" II next years. great match
to be shot range entirely new to all the contestants
II would thus afford a better test OF skill
The short experiences Of Americans In long range
! shooting have been employed with such practical
shrewdness and ability to place them above any rifle
club having the period Of existence in the world
The perfection to which Americans have carried their
! system OF ''coaching' and 'spotting, tells much in
variations Of the wind and state OF the atmosphere
Of immense advantage when compared with team
who have nothing but merely verbal Information TO
guide them on these vital points
principal why the Canadians pulled ahead at
1000 yards that being about sundown the south
wind, which had much bothered them, Gained down.
At the geo yards range their failure may be attributed
among other things TO local currents which that
hour prevailed and understood only by those
accustomed to Creedmoor The shooting at 900 yards
the worst ever made by the Canadians; they would
not have believed il possible to make poor a record
At this years Wimbledon meeting the Canadians
ried Off the Rajah OF Khopores Cup. The match is
military Two or three Of the present team have
shot for this trophy. On occasions OF the contest
Great Britain puts forward team selected from all
parts Of the United Kingdom. At the time Of the
match this year no opponents appeared against the
Canadans and after shooting their scores, the cup
awarded to them. Later in the day how
ever, British team put in appearance and the
Canadians very honoraby refused to retain the prize
unless they it. Ii was shot for and the Canadians
won II by good craftsmanship.
Most Of the Canadian team returned home yesterday
evening by the o'clock train via Suspension
Bridge The captain Mr. Murray and Vice President Of
the Victoria Rifle Club Mr. MacKelcan, leave New York
for home this forenoon.