The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-27
THE TUBULAR BULLET.
Its Advantages and Drawbacks ss n Sub
sAiinte tor the soIla Eroiectile.

ssitute for the solid Proiectie.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2e.-Although interesting
tests have been made OF the tubular bullet of
Prof. w. HELLER of Kussnacht, Switzerland, IL
is not likely that II will be adopted FOR our SER
vice rife.
The new invention Is found to have several
marked advantages. In the first place, the total
weight of its cartridge is only 296 grains. while
that OF the regular Frankford service cartridge
IL 412 grains. Hence 100 rounds OF the former
would weigh only about 4.25 pounds and OF the
latter SO pounds. That Is TO say. a soldier would
carry two-ffths more Of the former than of the
latter. so far as weight is concerned, which is a
great advantage. The bullet itself weighs 104
grains. against 800 for our service bullet.
Another point of Importance is the increased
fatness Of trajectory with the tubular bullet.
which gives II q greater danger space; while to
this is Joined a marked increase of range at the
same elevation, the initial velocity being much
higher at the most useful ranges. On the other
hand. the service bullet adopted for our
rifle appeared to be more accurate than the
tubular, although the trials are said by Gen.
Flagler to be thus far too limited for a definite
conclusion on this point. And again, the light
ness Of the tubular bullet leads TO greater defor-
nation and DETECTION in penetrating very hard
substances, Thus, fired into well-scasoned oak,
across the grain, at a range OF three feet. the
tubular bullet penetrated only seven inches.
while the service bullet went 1917 inches. The
recoil was In favor of the tubular bullet. the
estimated energy of its free recoll being but
Ga foot pounds, and that OF the service bullet
11.35 foot pounds.
The comparative tests of the two bullets were
conducted at frankfort arsenal. The service
80 rife was used, with u heavy pressure barrel
in n fixed rest, employing n charge of thirty
seven grains OF Wetteren powder for the service
hpliot md npa ~ fort ty yn gratpa ne annard I
powder for the tubular, the resulting pressure
per square inch being 81, 800 for the former, and
5000 for the latter. At distance of fifty-three
feet from the muzzle, Ten rounds with the SER
vice bullet yielded n maximum Of 1850 feet per
second. and a mean OF 2,O2s feet. whereas four
shots with the tubular bullet yielded 3.O5S feet
per second of velocity at the maximum. and
3,OO0 for the mean. This enormous increase of
nearly so per cent. in initial velocity for the new
invention must make it worthy of careful study
and experiment. 1t is worth noting that Prof.
HELLER had estimated that tubular bullets.
adapted to our magazine rife, would yield about
5000 feet per second. wish n pressure of about
10000 pounds. assuming the to be- OF the
right sort in size OF grain and in perfection OF
combustion, As has been seen. the actual vcloc-
ity obtained was still greater, although, to be
sure, the pressure was also greater.
In the test for accuracy, however, which was
determined by firing at a target 1,4Ol feet dis
tsGt, the o 5eryiSs 6 npd n,. zane ,ri,t out n ahead lead. bIh,Ir I
only .353 foot radius. while the radius OF the
tubular bullets circle. was l.31 feet On the
other hand. the vertical height from the impact
to the prolonged axis of the bore was l4.03U for
the service bullet, against 7.5 In the tubular.
sumed. Three rounds were hired with the ser
vice bullet and seven with, the tubular, confirm
ing the results previously obtained. At fifty
feet from the muzzle the service bullet achieved
1853 feet OF velocity per second and the tubular
feet the radius OF the service bullets circle of
impact was 10 aud that of the tubular 2.1O feet;
height was again about double in the case OF the
service bullet.
But a noteworthy feature of this trial was
that the velocity Of the tubular. as compared
with the service bullet, fell of steadily as the
range was increased: For example, while at
respectively 3,054 and l,0s3 feet, at 1,450 feet
they were 1883 and liz: feet. At l,64l feet
that distance they were DO4 and 100. At 1920
feet they were 665 and OF respectively. At
500 feet the two were Just about even, and.
finally, at Z, 202 feet, the service bullet was ahead.
with ;i8s feet per second against 36+ for the
that the light, tubular bullet suffers more re-
tardation from tho air. The distances up to
ofthose found in battle; yet the falling of must
be considered: especially AS added to that OF
l,D96 a: the muzzle, but the service gains the
advantage IN the ratio OF $50 TO SOB at a dis
lance of only 1900 feet; and this affects the
question OF penetrative power. The projectile
energies and the penetratiye, power OF the two
45O yards. and beyond that they are to the ad-
vantage OF the service bullet.
This last fact and the inferiority of the shock
In the lighter bullet make il doubtful whether
IL could be used to advantage in n military rifle,
at least of small calibre. Gen. Flagler suggests,
however, in reviewing the facts just spoken OF.
that IL would be OF more advantage to use n
tubular bullet Of requisite weight for hitting
effect, even taking a larger calibre than that OF
the new army rifle, IL found expedient, than to
use a smaller aEn, Ga n Wisn Is sold fn bullet; in order
tory, range, and weight of ammunition carried.
This is especially so, he thinks, with the IN
crease OF powder pressure on the decrease of
calibre. That bears on the question of a possi-
BILE decrease OF the 80 calibre. which apparently
he would not favor, as things now are.