AMMUNITION 37 



I do not for a moment say that there are not other reliable and 

 effective powders to be had. Amberite, for example, is highly 

 spoken of. But fowlers can never go wrong in their choice 

 of either of the two varieties dealt with above. I suppose it is 

 hardly necessary to warn even the beginner against the use 

 and purchase of inferior explosives. 



The question of shot is one of considerable importance, 

 though here quality does not vary in nearly the same degree 

 as it does in the case of powder. First of all let me most 

 strongly advise that when ordering the season's cartridges 

 chilled shot should invariably be specified. Chilled shot, 

 though infinitely harder than any other variety, will not injure 

 the barrels of even an inferior gun, while "leading" is much 

 less frequent. Again, hard shot invariably improves a gun's 

 shooting, while its penetrating power and velocity is much 

 greater than that of softer pellets. 



I give on next page a table of the various number of pellets 

 in various loads (Newcastle standard), which will be useful for 

 reference when we come to consider the different sizes suitable 

 for use on different kinds of fowl. 



It may be as well to state that some fowlers are not with 

 me in my advocacy of chilled shot. They say that while its 

 penetrating power is greater it makes a clean wound and does 

 not always stop a bird, whereas the softer shot inflicts a wound 

 and shock which brings the bird down at once. 



There may be something in this view, but I think that the 

 advantages of chilled shot are greater than anything that can 

 be said against it, and I have always found it perfectly satis- 

 factory. 



Wildfowlers know that when a number of them get to- 

 gether and the talk becomes eager and technical there is, 

 perhaps, never such diversity of opinion as upon the question 

 of various sizes of shot for use under varying conditions at 

 different species of birds. 



