Page:Tactics (Balck 1915).djvu/155



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===+=======+=====+========================+==========     |  Rifle. | Model | Cal.|      PROJECTILE. | Initial |        | (year)|     | Description. | Weight. | Velocity. |        |       | mm. |              |   g.    |    m. +-+-+-++-+ Japan |{Arisaka | '97  | 6.5 |Hardened lead |  10.5   |   715 |{Murata |  '94  | 8.0 | core with    |  15.42  |   564 |        |       |     | copper-nickel|         | Russia|    |  '91  | 7.62| jacket. | 13.7   |   615 +-+-+-++-+

The ballistic qualities of the Arisaka rifle were superior to those of the Russian arm, but the maiming effect of the two rifles was about equal. The striking energy of the projectiles was not sufficient in every case, however, to put a man out of action. The explosive effect produced by bullets striking interior organs and bones at short ranges (within 500 m.) was more evident in wounds made by the 8. mm. than by the Arisaka rifle.

At mid ranges the wounds were generally of a mild character, unless produced by tumbling bullets.

Experiments prove that a projectile will tumble if it encounters varying resistance (for example, if the projectile strikes an obstacle, even if that be only a twig) or if it penetrates materials of different density (for instance, if, in penetrating a body, it strikes first upon a fleshy part, then upon bones). In the last mentioned case the bullet will frequently tumble in the body. If a projectile be fired through a series