It may be said that at this moment velocities are undergoing radical
change, due to the improved powder Axite, and that one maker offers
rifles giving to the 303 bullet a muzzle velocity of 2700 f.s. This
means a greater stride than that from the express to the high velocity
rifles, and if it is accurate, then trajectories have been very much
reduced.
In reply to a still further question, the following is a reply that
explains itself:—
“_October 15th, 1906_
“DEAR MR. TEASDALE-BUCKELL,—I have your letter of the 12th inst. With
regard to the .500/.450, I think I said 2000 ft.; it should have been
about 2100 ft. As a curious confirmation of the above, I may point out
that in Kynoch’s book on the ballistics of various rifles, it gives 2150
ft. as the muzzle velocity of a .450 bore rifle with 70 grains cordite
and 480 grains bullet, whereas with 70 grains powder and 420 grains
bullet it gives the muzzle velocity as 2125 ft.
“The muzzle velocity of a 950 grains bullet from a 10 bore Paradox,
nitro powder, is 1500 ft. The bullet is made either of solid hardened
lead or steel cored; see the enclosed illustrations of the latter. With
regard to the rook and rabbit rifles, the .220 shoots 3 grains powder
and 30 grains bullet, and the .250 7 grains powder and 56 grains bullet.
Solid bullets for rooks, and hollow-point bullets for rabbits.—Yours
faithfully,
“H. W. HOLLAND”