The record-union., 1897-05-29
REGARDING RIFLE PRACTICE.
Why Some Company Averages Are Better
Than Others.
Interesting Report Filed by Colonel
Henshaw, Inspector of Rifle
Practice.

For the past two years the officers OF
the National Guard throughout the
State have been puzzled over the ques-
ton of why certain companies had
piled up such excellent scores at the
targets, while others fell far below the
average
The report of Colonel Park Henshaw,
Inspector of Rifle Practice, n. G. C.,
has just been received by Adjutant-
General Barrett, and as he goes down
deep into the subject it will be OF IN
terest to every member of the National
Guard in the State The report is as
follows:
Chico (Cal), May Is, 1897.
Sir: In compliance with instructions,
have made such inquiry concerning
rifle practice in the National Guard
as was practical under the circum-
stances.
A careful examination and comparl-
son Of the reports of target practice
from the several companies exhibited
such wide difference in shooting re-
suits as to suggest some constant cause
of error.
the several points deemed most i'm
portant We're sent through regular
channels to each company and troop
commander Replies have been re-
ceived from all but two. A copy of
the letter of inquiry is hereto attached
and made a part of this report. LeaV-
ing out of consideration those compan-
les known to be shooting companies,
or companies that are active IN target
practice, the average scores are such
as can only occur from two causes
improper instruction and lack OF prac-
tice or improper loads. assume, OF
course, that each company is composed
of equal material That one company
be fairly compared with another 1t is
necessary that all use like loads. The
difference that would arise from causes
not possible of avoidance is so small
that it has not been considered.
From the reports received find that
in reloading cartridges every company
uses what may suit their fancy. There
is no regulation load. Companies in
the same regiment do not use the same
weight of either powder or ball. This
difference is SO great and 50 unrea-
sonable that some positive action
should be taken to regulate it.
The charge of powder varies from
81 grains to 15 grains, and the weight
of the ball from 405 grains to 800
grains.
The companies using the most
powder do not shoot the heaviest ball.
For instance one company uses 70
grains of powder and 405 grain ball;
Ing Of
400 grain ball. The brands of powder
used varies in almost every known re-
spect, some giving a muZzle velocity Of
1910 feet, others as low as 800 feet.
From reports received from thirty
five company commanders the differ
ence in the weight of powder and ball
used in reloading is as follows: Powder
(grains), "a, 60, 65. 66, 6S, 20 and 10,
bullets (grains), 405, 400, 412. 420 44O,
450, 460, 4S0, 4S5 and 500. Some Of the
| brands of powder used are very fine
grained, of less density and quick
burning, giving a lower muzzle veloc-
ity and a corresponding loss in final re-
suits; more sudden in it's initial ef-
fects, and correspondingly greater re-
coil
1t is apparent from the above state
ment that no fair comparison can be
made of the shooting qualities of the
several companies, compared one with
| another. To obtain definite, uniform
or constant results in rife firing it is
absolutely necessary that the ammuni-
| ton should be as nearly uniform as
it can be manufactured. Every differ
ence in the amount, density and burn
| ing quality of the powder or the weight
of the ball used effects the result.
| The cost of reloaded ammunition va
| ries so greatly as to call for most
| prompt attention of this department.
| Some companies return the cost per
1000 cartridges as low as 50, while
| one company reports it as high as
S2J The average cost may be given at
| S17 80. About one-third of the COM
panies purchase from dealers. The diff
ferent prices paid for powder, lead
and primers are out Of reason. The
extremes may be stated as follows
| Powder, per pound, from 20 cents to 90
cents; lead, 3l2 cents to 10 cents;
primers, 81 Is to 81 60 per 1000.
| Notwithstanding that the State has
| furnished for the use of her troops five
United States bench reloading tools,
Good powder, such as the United
| States Ordnance Department has here
tofore used for Springfield rifle ammu-
milton, can be purchased in San Fran
cisco for twenty-five cents per pound,
| good lead can be had for four cents per
pound and primers for 81 per 1000.
| The cost of reloading ammunition, the
| shells being Finished, should not ex-
ceed $11 per 1000. Taking the aver
age weight of powder and ball in use,
viz: powder 66 grains, ball 435 grains,
| and allowing a loss of 10 per cent. in
powder and lead, the cost may be
| stated as follows: l take 5000 cart
ridges as an example, as 1t enables me
| to divide the time of the men evenly:
100 bullets. 410 fbs at SIG 40
Powder. 81 lbs at &c. c..................... IL AZ
| 5000 primers, $1.......................... 90
men. ! day casting bullets, 81 so per
| day OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. D w
2 men ] day cleaning shells. ............ 90
4 men day reloading.. g.......-........-... ~ W
| Lubricant ........-............-,. oo
| This leaves margin of 81 45 per l.
| 600 for boxing, tin, etc. and is in ex-
cess of the 10 per cent. allowed for loss,
powder and lead. The above estimate
| is based upon the fact that in casting
bullets six-throw mold will be used,
and that the reloading will be done
with the bench reloading tools. The
time charged is from actual experience