The formation of the National Rifle Asso ciation in 1871 resulted in a series of inter national long-range rifle contests in which the American teams won a majority of the matches both at home and abroad. The weapons used were of .44 and .45 calibre with from 90 to 120 grains of powder and paper patched bullets of from 500 to 550 grains of hardened lead. The limit of weight of these rifles was 10 pounds and the minimum trigger pull three pounds. Great skill was shown in the manufacture of these rifles and the results attained have not been surpassed in accuracy by later develop ments in weapons.
Target shooting as a sport became popular throughout the country as a result of these con tests and, as many clubs were unable to obtain facilities for long-range practice, shooting at 200 yards in the standing position was widely adopted. The large bore rifles and heavy charges in use at the longer ranges were found to be unnecessary and a gradual reduction in calibres took place. For some years the limit of weight remained at 10 pounds. At the Ger man-American schuetzenfests there were no re strictions as to the weight of the rifle or the trigger pull, and these weapons while imprac ticable in the field were nevertheless superior for their specific purpose. Hence a change in type in offhand weapons has come about and the standard weapon is the uschuetzenp model, weighing from 11 to 15 pounds. The .32 and .38. calibres are usually adopted. These rifles are frequently equipped with a palm rest, a rod extending down from the forestock, terminat ing in a knob, enabling the marksman to rest the left elbow on the hip. A cheekpiece, butt plate with horns to fit the arm, double set trig gers, an aperture or pin head front sight cov ered with a hood, and a rear elevating vernier sight with a wind-gauge attachment on the tang of the rifle complete the outfit. Telescope sights are increasing in numbers. Lubricated grooved bullets slightly hardened with tin are used, many expert riflemen loading them through a false muzzle, the shell being after ward inserted at the breech. The advantages claimed for this system are the perfect fitting of the bullet to the grooves and the cleaning of the bore as the bullet is forced down through the rifling. Such weapons are capable of plac ing 10 shots in a 2-inch circle at 200 yards from a machine rest.
Target shooting with the pistol and revolver at distances up to 50 yards is a popular sport, encouraged by the United States Revolver Association. The modern single shot target pistol has a 10-inch barrel and is made in cali bres of from .22 to .44, .22-calibre rim fire am munition being generally favored. The accu racy obtainable is surprising, 10 shots having been placed in a 3-inch circle at 50 yards, the weapon being shot in the regulation position with the arm extended, free from artificial support. Revolvers for target purposes are usually of from .32 to .44 calibre, with barrels from six to eight inches in length.
Muzzleloading shotguns both flintlock and percussion were almost exclusively imported from England and the Continent. The products of Joseph Manton were unsurpassed for bal ance, fine shooting qualities and workmanship and served as models for American fowling pieces. Barrels and locks were largely imported, in fact it is only within a comparatively few years that many shotgun barrels have been made in this country. The introduction of the Lefaucheaux breechloading system from France in 1852 marked a great advance over previous inventions. A paper and brass-shell was used with a small percussion cap in the centre of the base of the cartridge, ignited by the blow of the hammer on a brass pin extend ing through the side of the head of each shell, this pin also affording a means for withdrawing the empty case. The barrels were hinged, the breech being opened for the insertion of the shells by means of an under lever. This system formed the basis for most American breech loading actions for double and single guns. Im provements have been made from time to time until to-day the American hammerless ejecting gun operated by a top lever using centre-fire shells is second to none. The various styles of single trigger mechanisms are gaining in popu larity. The repeating shotgun is distinctly American, the mechanism in most cases being operated by the sliding motion of the fore end.
The various types of weapons we have men tioned have been developed during the era of black powder, a propellant which while produc ing remarkably uniform results has changed but slightly in its constituents during the past cen tury.