Elric
Well-Known Member
Breech Vs. Muzzle
American Rifleman, vol 69, no. 7, December 15, 1921, page 15 (or 159)
https://books.google.com/books?id=g...CGoQ6AEIQDAH#v=onepage&q=25-21 bullet&f=false
BREECH VS. MUZZLE
By F. P. L. MILLS
I AM enclosing a target of 9 shots I made quite recently that may interest some of the old-time shooters and readers of ARMS AND THE MAN, and particularly Harry M. Pope, of Jersey City, who made the barrel for me in 1909. He has always claimed that no breech-loading barrel shot dirty could compete with a muzzle loader, and I think this target proves that it can. As it was shot with one of his barrels he can have no kick coming on that score.
I had been experimenting with bullets seated in shell with poor results and gave it up after 5 shots as the group was 7 ½ inches across. I had 10 cartridges loaded with 44 grains of King’s Semi-Smokeless tapped down so that 2 grooves of bullet remained out of shell. After the first 5 shots I pulled the other 5 bullets out and seated them in barrel with but slightly better results, the group measuring 4 ½ inches across.
Image, Nine shot group
I then went into the house, leaving the rifle on my shooting bench and loaded ten more shells with 47 grains of King’s Semi. It was one-half to three-quarters of an hour before I started the enclosed group and the barrel was cold and still dirty, as I did not take the trouble to wipe it out. The first shot was 1 ¾ inches to the left and 3/8 of an inch below this group. I could see this shot plainly with my Winchester glass, as it was in white glazed paper. The next 9 shots were fired rapidly without wiping the barrel, and as 8 of them were in the lower edge of the black I could not see them till I went up to the butt, which is in the edge of a wood and in the shade. There was no one at the firing point with me at the time, but it is only 12 steps from my back door, and a young lady who had been shooting with me a short time before was near and can vouch for the correctness of this statement, and if you are sufficiently interested I will send my affidavit.
This group of 9 shots was fired at 97 measured yards from a fixed bench rest; muzzle resting on a sand bag, elbow on bench and left first [Ed. fist?] under butt stocks. The rifle has a 32-40 heavy Pope barrel in Winchester action with double set triggers, shotgun butt stock and Winchester 4 power B grade telescope.
The load was 47 grains King's Semi Smokeless F. G. and a 185 grain bullet cast 1 part tin to 40 parts lead in a Pope mould and lubricated with banana lubricant. Bullet seated in breech and then card wad over powder.
I enjoy the copies of ARMS AND THE MAN but wish we could hear more from some of the old-time target shots. What has become of Donler and Ross and H. L. Willard, of rest shooting fame, and Dr. Baker that used to shoot 10 shot groups at 50 yards with his 25-21 woodchuck gun that you could cover with a dime?
American Rifleman, vol 69, no. 7, December 15, 1921, page 15 (or 159)
https://books.google.com/books?id=g...CGoQ6AEIQDAH#v=onepage&q=25-21 bullet&f=false
BREECH VS. MUZZLE
By F. P. L. MILLS
I AM enclosing a target of 9 shots I made quite recently that may interest some of the old-time shooters and readers of ARMS AND THE MAN, and particularly Harry M. Pope, of Jersey City, who made the barrel for me in 1909. He has always claimed that no breech-loading barrel shot dirty could compete with a muzzle loader, and I think this target proves that it can. As it was shot with one of his barrels he can have no kick coming on that score.
I had been experimenting with bullets seated in shell with poor results and gave it up after 5 shots as the group was 7 ½ inches across. I had 10 cartridges loaded with 44 grains of King’s Semi-Smokeless tapped down so that 2 grooves of bullet remained out of shell. After the first 5 shots I pulled the other 5 bullets out and seated them in barrel with but slightly better results, the group measuring 4 ½ inches across.
Image, Nine shot group
I then went into the house, leaving the rifle on my shooting bench and loaded ten more shells with 47 grains of King’s Semi. It was one-half to three-quarters of an hour before I started the enclosed group and the barrel was cold and still dirty, as I did not take the trouble to wipe it out. The first shot was 1 ¾ inches to the left and 3/8 of an inch below this group. I could see this shot plainly with my Winchester glass, as it was in white glazed paper. The next 9 shots were fired rapidly without wiping the barrel, and as 8 of them were in the lower edge of the black I could not see them till I went up to the butt, which is in the edge of a wood and in the shade. There was no one at the firing point with me at the time, but it is only 12 steps from my back door, and a young lady who had been shooting with me a short time before was near and can vouch for the correctness of this statement, and if you are sufficiently interested I will send my affidavit.
This group of 9 shots was fired at 97 measured yards from a fixed bench rest; muzzle resting on a sand bag, elbow on bench and left first [Ed. fist?] under butt stocks. The rifle has a 32-40 heavy Pope barrel in Winchester action with double set triggers, shotgun butt stock and Winchester 4 power B grade telescope.
The load was 47 grains King's Semi Smokeless F. G. and a 185 grain bullet cast 1 part tin to 40 parts lead in a Pope mould and lubricated with banana lubricant. Bullet seated in breech and then card wad over powder.
I enjoy the copies of ARMS AND THE MAN but wish we could hear more from some of the old-time target shots. What has become of Donler and Ross and H. L. Willard, of rest shooting fame, and Dr. Baker that used to shoot 10 shot groups at 50 yards with his 25-21 woodchuck gun that you could cover with a dime?