The most recent issue of THE GUN REPORT magazine (April, 2009), has an article of mine titled "The Myth of Confederate Sharpshooters and the Whitworth Rifle."The purpose of the article is to give a critical review as to the long range accuracy of sharpshooters and the .451 Whitworth, and to "bring them back from the outer limits of reality."Included in the article is a discussion of mean radial deviation, a 19th century method for determining accuracy which is misunderstood by modernshooters. A comparison of battlefield conditions versus those of a target range when quoting accuracy figures. A computer ballistics program from Sierra Bullets to show downrange performance of the projectile, such asbullet drop, wind drift, time of flight, etc. Discussion of the accuracy and ballistic similarities between the 45-70 "Trapdoor" Springfield and the .451 Whitworth, yet how the 45-70 is considered by many people to be a poorchoice for anything much beyond a few hundred yards, whereas these same individuals believe the Whitworth can easily hit a man at a mile distance (1,760 yards).I also touch upon the Davidson telescope, anecdotes by Confederate sharpshooters which have helped to perpetuate the myth of the Whitworth rifle, and other information related to long range shooting from the CivilWar era. And of course, the article is fully footnoted.For those who have an interest in this subject you may wish to acquire a copy of the magazine. THE GUN REPORT is not on the internet, but can be reached at [email protected] or 309-582-5311. I am not trying to sell magazines nor do I make any money off of such sales. But with the charts, tables and photographs that accompany the article it would be best for you to have a hard copy.John Gross