318 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
ured from the front trigger to the centre of the heel 
plate, ranges from 14 to 14 1-2 inches, the length usu- 
ally selected being 141-4. The drop of the stock, meas- 
uring with a straight line from the full line of the rib 
to the butt, runs from 2 1-2 to 3 3-4 inches, 3 inches be- 
ing the standard American, while the English use much 
straighter. Some stocks are made with a ‘“ cast off”: 
that is, the stock is made or bent a little to the right of 
the true line of the rib; this brings the right eye nearer 
the center of the rib, and enables one to catch a quicker 
aim. The drop of the stock depends to a very great 
extent on the position of the shooter. When one 
stands erect he will require a crooked stock, whereas if 
he stretches his feet far apart he will be surprised what 
a great difference it makes. Stand in an easy, graceful 
attitude, with the left leg advanced, the right but a 
short distance from it, just far enough to act as a brace. 
With a 10 gauge loaded with 41-2 dms. powder, the 
pressure of recoil is fully 40 lbs. against the shoulder, 
and unless you are prepared you will feel it. By all 
means choose an easy, graceful position, for the attitude 
you once assume will grow on and cling to you. Now 
that you have chosen an easy way of standing, it will 
not be considered as vanity on your part, but take 
your gun, stand before a looking-glass, and repeatedly 
sight at your right eye. If the gun fits you at the 
shoulder, and each time covers the eye aimed at, so you 
can see the entire line of the rib of the barrel, and the 
gun’s sight pointed at the lower edge of the eye,—then 
you have a gun made for you. You will, of course, 
have to incline your head a little: this is essential to 
throw your eye-sight down the rib. 
For wild fowl shooting do not get your stock too 
