496 DUCK SHOOTING. 



which they are surrounded, and which affect them to a 

 greater or less extent. Thus, some of the powders, if 

 kept in a very dry place, may lose an undue amount of 

 moisture; or, if kept in a very damp place, may gain 

 moisture. It is a good rule, therefore, always to use 

 freshly-loaded cartridges, for after shells have been 

 loaded for a year or two they cannot always be relied 

 on to act evenly. Nine out of ten may seem to be as ef- 

 fective as if fresh, but the tenth may burn so slowly as 

 merely to throw the shot out of the barrel At the 

 same time, no one who has become accustomed to 

 shooting nitro powders is likely to go back to the jar- 

 ring, punishing, black powders. There is also abun- 

 dant testimony that many brands of nitro powder, if 

 properly protected from heat and dampness, retain 

 their efficiency for years. 



By using the nitro powders we get rid of the old nui- 

 sances of smoke, dirt and recoil, and all appreciate the 

 advantage of this. Is it certain, however, that the adap- 

 tation of the nitro powders to small arms gives us any 

 actual advantage beside those of greater comfort ? 



It is believed by some gunners that the old views 

 about where to hold to hit a cross-flying or overhead 

 bird, must undergo more or less modification since the 

 introduction of nitro powders. Such persons contend 

 that these nitro powders are so much quicker and 

 stronger than black powder that the shot reaches the 

 bird in much less time than when propelled by that, and 

 that, therefore, it is no longer necessary to hold so far 

 ahead as formerly on crossing birds. Good brush shots 



