Russian artillery compared to french artillery

[[N]Von Thielmann]

The Russian approach to howitzers was something of a
hybrid. The Russian licorne (“unicorn”) had a much longer barrel
than other howitzers and fired on a flatter trajectory. It was an effective close-defense weapon when firing canister, but an
inferior howitzer in the traditional role of dropping explosives
into sheltered areas from a distance.

Finally there is an intangible. Despite their undeniable commitment
to their artillery arm, the Russians were never entirely satisfied
with its performance. The Russian military went through
three different artillery “systems” in the Revolutionary and
Napoleonic periods, and after each set of reforms a number
of officers complained that they had once again been outperformed
by the enemy. (For example: despite the advantage of being
on the defense and firing ten thousand more projectiles than the French
did, the Russian artillery at Borodino nonetheless was outgunned.)

Practical range of french 6# round shot 1200 meters and canister500 meters. Russian medium 6# round shot 1000 meters and canister450 meters. Russian light 6# round shot 850 meters and canister350meters.

Practical range French 12# round shot 1850 meters and canister600 meters. Russian 10# unicorn shell 1300 meters and canister 300 meters.
Russian light 12# round shot 1200 meters and canister 500 meters. Russian medium 12# round shot 1600 meters and canister 550 meters.

Russian 20# Unicorn shell 1500 meters canister 400 meters. French 6p howie 1500 meters and canister 300 meters. French 5 p howie shell 1200 meters and canister 250 meters.

The root of the problem stemmed from the Russians poor quality of saltpeter-coupled with the nitrate production works themselves-combined to produce a very dirty, inferior gunpowder.