2. That velocities arising from firing with different quantities of powder, are nearly in the proportion of the square roots of the quantities or weights of powder.
3. That the velocities decrease as the distances increase, arising from the resistance of the air, which opposes the progress of the shot, in a proportion somewhat higher than the squares of the velocities throughout; and only to a small variation.
4. That very little advantage is gained in point of range, by increasing the charge more than is necessary to attain the object, the velocities given by large charges being very soon reduced to those by moderate charges: those for instance given by half the shot’s weight are reduced to an equality with those by one third, after passing through a space of only 200 feet.
5. That very little advantage is also gained by increasing the length of guns; the velocity given by long guns of 22 calibers length of bore, being reduced to an equality with those of the short guns of 15½ calibers with similar charges, after passing through the spaces as follows:
| With | ½ | the | shot’s | weight | 285 feet. |
| ⅓ | ” | ” | 200 | ||
| ¼ | ” | ” | 150 | ||
| ⅙ | ” | ” | 115 |
6. That the resistance of the air against balls of different diameters with equal velocities, is very nearly in the proportion of the squares of their diameters; or as their surfaces.
7. That the velocity is not affected by compressing the charge more or less; or by heating the piece in different degrees.
8. That a very great increase of velocity arises from a decrease of windage; it appearing, that with the established windage; of ¹/₂₀ between ⅓ and ¼ of the force is lost.
9. It also appeared, that by firing the charge in different parts; by varying the weight of the gun to lessen the recoil; or even by stopping the recoil entirely, no sensible change is produced in the velocity of the ball.
10. That though the velocity of the shot is increased only to a certain point peculiar to each gun, (a further increase of powder producing a diminished velocity,) yet the recoil of the gun is always increased by an increase of charge.