I once saw a print of a woodcut that displayed a variety of projectiles cast from Revwar era(approximately) moulds. There was once roundball represented and a host of others in various lengths and many sported deep rounded grease grooves. One's shape could only be described as two modern spitzers mated their bases with three broad grooves around it's middle. Has anyone seen this? I can't find it anymore...
What a found interesting about this was that there are numerous Revwar accounts of 200 to 400 yard shots taken, including a great account of Timothy Murphy knocking a British officer dead on his horse at 300 yards, with the third shot but still...it was a moving target to boot! Some ranges were measured, Col. Hanger most notably, by those who had nothing to gain by exagerating the distances.
Takning the ranges into account, and knowing the awful trajectory and and power loss of the roundball just shortly after 100 yards, is it possible that these other projectiles were used for long range work where the shape and added mass would be most potent? Or were they taken with roundball and the other moulds were just some tinkering gunsmith's concoction that never gained favor?
Ashelocoa
Also: It was noted in the text that the other projectiles were not regarded as accurate as the roundball, and the roundball was considered better since its economy with lead, powder, and accuracy.
Thoughts on this?
What a found interesting about this was that there are numerous Revwar accounts of 200 to 400 yard shots taken, including a great account of Timothy Murphy knocking a British officer dead on his horse at 300 yards, with the third shot but still...it was a moving target to boot! Some ranges were measured, Col. Hanger most notably, by those who had nothing to gain by exagerating the distances.
Takning the ranges into account, and knowing the awful trajectory and and power loss of the roundball just shortly after 100 yards, is it possible that these other projectiles were used for long range work where the shape and added mass would be most potent? Or were they taken with roundball and the other moulds were just some tinkering gunsmith's concoction that never gained favor?
Ashelocoa
Also: It was noted in the text that the other projectiles were not regarded as accurate as the roundball, and the roundball was considered better since its economy with lead, powder, and accuracy.
Thoughts on this?