24 EQUIPMENT. 



loader, a slight increase in the gauge will admit 

 of larger charges being used for flock-shooting, 

 while the objections in the case of the breech- 

 loader do not occur. Their weights in propor- 

 tion to their gauges should be as follows : 



For a 10-bore, 9 to lOJ lbs.; 9-bore, 10|- to 

 12 lbs.; 8-bore, 12 to 14 lbs. The barrels should 

 never be under 30 inches in length, while anything 

 over 35 — and that only for an S-bore^ — is super- 

 fluous, and only waste and useless metal to carry. 

 Damascus is, I think, the best material, on ac- 

 count both of its beauty and superior strength. 

 Laminated steel, if properly made, is about as 

 good, but so many cheap and almost w^orthless 

 imitations are in the market that it cannot be 

 relied upon. Damascus cannot be cheaply counter- 

 feited, and therefore is more to be depended on. 

 Select barrels, if possible, having nearly a true 

 taper from breech to muzzle. The rib should be 

 about 1^ to I inch wide, slightly concave laterally, 

 but perfectly straight lengthwise, and suflicjently 

 elevated at breech to prevent under-shooting. 

 Sight-piece small and close to the muzzle. 



So many different principles and methods are 

 employed for breech-loading actions that a full 

 consideration of their merits and defects will be 



