--PENETRATION

The penetration of the Martini-Henry and the Lee-Metford or Lee-Enfield
rifle with Mark II. bullet is as follows:

Martini-Henry 15-1/2 in. of 1 in. deal boards 19 in. of sand
1 in. apart containing 15 per
cent. of moisture

Lee-Metford {Mark II.} 42 in. of 1 in. deal boards 60 in. of sand
Lee-Enfield {bullet } 1 in. apart containing 15 per
cent. of moisture

The penetration of bullets of .314 calibre differs little from that
possessed by the Lee-Metford or Lee-Enfield, of which the muzzle
velocities are very little lower, with Mark II. bullet. The Belgian
Mauser perforates 55 inches of fir-wood at 12 metres distance. With
regard to the penetration of bullets of smaller calibre that of the
Roumanian Mannlicher (.256) may be taken as typical. When fired into a
sand butt at 25 yards the bullet enters 9 inches and then breaks up.

The comparative size of the different cartridges is shown in fig. 14.

The general remarks already made as to the effect of weight, calibre,
and velocity sufficiently explain the importance of the particulars
given in this table, but it will be noted that the Lee-Metford rifle is
inferior to both the Krag-Joergensen and Mauser rifles in the initial
velocity transmitted to its bullet. The tendency to equalisation, in
this particular, when the remaining velocity is considered, has been
mentioned; but it may be of interest if I quote from Nimier and Laval[7]
the scale on which the decrease in velocity takes place in the case of
the three weapons.

METRES PER SECOND

+---------------------+-------------+--------+----------------+
| | Lee-Metford | Mauser | Krag-Joergensen |
+---------------------+-------------+--------+----------------+
| | | | |
| Initial velocity | 630 | 718 | 720 |
| Remaining velocity: | | | |
| At 100 metres | 574 | 699 | 718 |
| At 1,000 metres | 249 | 264 | 269 |
| At 2,000 metres | 159 | 165 | 165.9 |
| | | | |
+---------------------+-------------+--------+----------------+

Giving full impor