It is plain, however, that the minimum of resistance would not be obtained with a shot of an elongated form, unless the axis can be kept in the direction of the trajectory; as not only will the axis perpetually deviate from the true direction, but the projectile will turn over and rotate round its shorter axis, that is, if fired out of a smooth bore.
Advantages of conical bullets.
Conical bullets have an advantage, from their pointed end, which enables them to pass through the air with greater facility; and for the same reason they are better calculated to penetrate into any matter than spherical ones.
Disadvantages of conical bullets.
A solid bullet cannot be pointed without sending backward the centre of gravity. The sharper the point, the more it is liable to injury, and if the apex of the cone does not lie true, in the axis of the projectile, then such an imperfection of figure is calculated to cause greater deflections in the flight than any injury which a round surface is likely to sustain. In penetrating into solid bodies, it is also important that the centre of gravity should be near its work.
RESISTANCE OF THE AIR, AS AFFECTED BY THE WEIGHT OF PROJECTILES.
Resistance overcome by weight.
Bodies of similar volume and figure overcome the resistance of the air in proportion to their densities. The amount of the air’s resistance is in proportion to the magnitude of the surface.
Contents of circles.