The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-25
sAIOKEIFSS POWDER.

Reports from the East state that additional
tests have been made of the Wettern smoke
less powder, which proved highly satiSfdc-
tory. The experiments were carried on at
the National Armory at Springfield. Mass,
under Government supervision. i he tests
showed an initial velocity OF nearly 1900
feet, with pressure of almost Il, 900 pounds.
When il is taken into consideration that the
charge used was but thirtY-slx grains OF the
powder, it will at once be seen that the
velocity and penetrating power is exceed
ingiy great. The high velocity obtained by
the Wettern powder greatly increases the
danger space. The copper covering, with
which It is proposed 10 equip the new ball,
also increases its penetration, and il
is claimed that the missile will be effective
for distance Of two and a half miles. An
army provided with ammunition Of this de-
scriptiOn, with the proper arm for its uSe
would cause a vast amount OF damage to
any enemy it would come in conta ct with.
BREKING-IN A NEW RIFLE.
One of the most trying and anxious mo-
ments of marksman'S life is when he dis
cards his old and true weapon and ventures
upon the purchase of new rife. For some
unaccOuntable reason he has lost his old
love for the arm which has performed such
good work and brought to his home so
many trophies OF its accuracy. he believes
the grooves are worn; 1t does not take the
bullet as nicely as 1t used to; the trigger is
a little worn and drags a bit; the stock
does not exactly fit him. Indeed he will
sum up a dozen excuses for discardlng his
old friend when speaking to a comrade Of
the intended change Of weapons, while In
his heart he does not believe one Of them.
But when a rltieman once commences to
lose con fidence in his weapon every change
of light, every variation of wind, the I'M
SteadlneSs of his nerves and faulty ammunl-
ton will all be blamed upon the un0ffend-
ing rifle.
A THEME FOR STUDY.
While the breaking-in of a new rife is
filling the maTksman's mind with hun
dred fears 1t is at the same time great
theme for study and pleasurable excite
ment. All kinds OF notions fill his mind.
win the old and trusty ammunition, which
took years of practice to perfect, suit the
new gun? VIII the bullets require more or
less hardening? What will be the tempera-
ture and conditions of light on the day of
trial? All these and many more questions
press themselves closely upon the expert
menter. But he has made up his mind that
he must have new gun. The gunsmith is
seen and asked for advice. As usual the
inquirer is rifle crank and the gunsmith is
very wary in making a recommendation.
He does not like to shoulder all the respon-
sibility Of an unsatisfactory test by one he
knows will expect almost impOSsibilities
from weapon.
In testing the new arm the3rifleman will
not believe he is out of condition. He
thinks he feels fine, was never steadier in
his life. Everything wrong is blamed on
the new gun. The metal from which the
barrel is made was not properly tempered,
and various complaints are forthcoming.
While, on the other hand, if the trial is a
success the result is an OverjOyed marks
man, who believes no rife is equal TO the
new one he possesses, and no boy was ever
pIOuder of his first pair of pants and ex-
hibited them to his admitting friends with
more warmth of admiration than does tho
rifle crank when he passes his new weapon
from friend to friend for critical examna-
ton, and begs each for an opinion upon his
new venture.
RESULTS DIFFER.
1t is a fact that although two or more
rifles may be similar in appearance and
made at the same factory, the results OBJ
tanned from each will not be alike. One
may need different ammunition from the
other, either in the charge or kind Of powder
used, aad also in the hardness or softneSs
of the bullet
In breakiDg-in new rife the marksman
usually fires from 30 to 100 shots The first
twenty of these shots is generally done at
rest and the balance at off-hand shooting.
The target used is the 25-ring German
target, on account Of its fineness, and the
record of each shot is kept upon a score
card pro vided for that purpose.
An interesting breaking-in match by DR..
J.. o. Rogers, one of our well-knOw rifle
men, recently took place at Shell Mound
Park. The doctor fred thirty shots, and at
the end Of the string expressed himself as
highly pleased with his new rifle. The fol-
lowing is the score made at the trial:
Dr. % 20 % = = 20 20 % 20 % 2S2
20 20 % ~ 20 "a "a 20 rs 1921
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