206 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
can be varied a little more or less in the quantity of the load, 
according to circumstances; but this must be done respec- 
tively with powder and shot. Care must be taken not to over- 
do this varying of the charge. No benefit is derived from so 
doing ; but in actual fowling to lose a little in one way may be 
to gain in another, andso on. Thus the matter brings things, 
in the long run, to about a level. 
We now come to the question of proportions of powder 
and shot. Equal quantities were, and are yet, with some 
people, a sworn-by standard. These proportions we have 
found give fair patterns, but the penetration is rather on the 
weak side. Measure out bulk for bulk of powder and shot, 
reduce the shot charge about a twenty-fifth of the bulk, and 
increase the powder about a similar amount, and the improve- 
ment of the shooting will be astoundingly apparent. Of 
course, every size of bore should have a standard load, but 
when heavy shot is being used, a little more lead and less 
powder is a general rule, and the reverse in the case of smaller 
shot. Breech-loading guns should have their bore-size or 
calibre measured inside the barrel just clear of the chamber. 
The chamber diameter is not the size of bore. We say this 
because we have known persons who have taken the outside 
measurement of cases and referred to that measurement as 
being the size of bore of the gun. In spite of our table of 
bores and charges suitable for them here appended, it is 
always advisable to stick to the loads given and recommended 
by makers for use in their own particular make of guns. Our 
table refers mainly to M.L. guns, and note must be taken of 
the weight of each weapon. A good and full proportion to 
work from when calculating charges for punt-guns is 3 oz. 
powder to 1 lb. of shot. The shot can be increased an ounce 
if large pellets, and correspondingly reduced if small pellets 
are used. The size of shot for the pound is No. 1 or 2. 
Following is a table of bores and charges suitable for same :— 
