434 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



powerful build to shoot for any length of time with a 

 very heavy gun. 



One thing must be borne in mind, else experience 

 may be dearly bought at the most inconvenient and 

 critical moment. A man accustomed to shooting a ten- 

 pound, ten-gauge gun at the trap and in the field will find 

 himself completely at sea when using a twelve pound 

 eight-gauge, and as most guns of that caliber go over 

 that weight, why, it is as well to get the swing of such a 

 monster well in hand before attempting to pull down 

 swift-flying birds with it; and as all wild fowl are of the 

 most rapid flight, it is apparent that nothing but perfect 

 control of the weapon will insure success when shooting 

 at this kind of game. 



Experience has taught me this, that while I can 

 manage an llj-pound ten-bore of thirty-one-inch barrels, 

 when I attempt to wield a 13J-pound eight-gauge with 

 thirty-four-inch barrels, I simply get behind all fast-fly- 

 ing cross-shots, from the very fact that I can't swing the 

 heavier gun, through being unaccustomed to handle so 

 much weight of metal away off from the left hand, so 

 that, although my eight-bore with its full charge is unques- 

 tionably a better and much more powerful shooter than 

 any ten-bore, yet I certainly bag much more game with 

 the ten; and so it will be with most men unless they 

 become thoroughly accustomed to holding and moving, 

 with rapidity and precision, very heavy and long-barreled 

 guns. A light eight-bore is a most undesirable and 

 unwise venture; for, if loaded with full charge, it must be 

 an ^inordinate kicker, while if only half charge, it will do 

 no better execution than a ten-bore, and always will 

 remain a much more un wieldly weapon. Inside of twelve 

 pounds, therefore, for a double gun, better get a ten- 

 gauge, while a full-weighted eight will go from thirteen to 

 fifteen pounds. Such a gun will shoot, With comfort to 



