42 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



to leave his shop that did not balance in 

 every part. If there is too much weight at 

 tlie end of the barrel it can be counteracted, 

 as Col. Hawker says, with some lead and a 

 center-bit, but the counteracting lead should 

 be evenly distributed or the stock will feel 

 unduly heavy in certain parts, and the best 

 skill of the gunmaker is required to correct 

 deficiencies in the balance. 



I repeat, that if the shooter intends to 

 hunt for big game he will provide himself 

 with a rifle of suitable caliber, and he will 

 know that for shooting tigers and bears a 

 rifle of larger caliber ought to be used than 

 Vv'ould be necessary when hunting for deer. 

 And the bore of the shot gun will also de- 

 pend upon the kind of small game to be 

 hunted. If gunning for snipe, quail, par- 

 tridges, or woodcock a twenty bore gun, if 

 skilfully bored, will prove an efficient 

 weapon, and its light weight commends it 

 to those who are not physically strong. My 

 own experience is that a twenty bore is 

 more effective when loaded with No. 7 shot. 

 It will shoot No. 5 or No. 6 shot with 

 reasonable effect, but with No. 7 the shot 

 are more evenlv distributed, and this is the 



