2i6 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



being more handy and adaptable for this purpose. Cut card 

 (thick millboard) wads may be put below and above the felt or 

 oakum wad. A tight-fitting stout card wad holds the shot in 

 the case. Both brass and paper cartridge cases are used for 

 B. L. punt-guns. Some guns are made to take steel shells. 

 If properly used in good guns with efficient extracting 

 mechanism, they answer well ; but for cheapness, smooth 

 working, and from personal experience, we prefer the paper 

 cases. It is customary with makers of B.L. punt-guns to 

 recommend a special case for their guns. Whatever make 

 this case may be, it is best to stick to the gunmaker's instruc- 

 tions, at least, on this point, should the working of the gun 

 and case after firing be all in order ; but if otherwise, then 

 either the gun or case is at fault. Then such a weapon stands 

 far below a good old M.L. gun, and the sooner got rid of the 

 better. With both M.L. and B.L. punt-guns it is wise to 

 unload every night. The task with a M.L. gun is tedious, 

 though not a long one, and as a practice against accident, 

 and in keeping with safety, is one to be recommended. Well 

 it is to remember that a man can only be shot dead once. 

 There is no further chance after such an accident has occurred. 

 We now come to the question of shot sizes, etc. Shot 

 fired from punt-guns may be any size from No. 3 to SSSG, 

 which latter is about the smallest size moulded. Other and 

 smaller shot than SSSG is known as "drop " shot. Dropped 

 shot is manufactured in three kinds, viz. chilled, hard, and 

 soft shot. Much controversy exists regarding which kind 

 is the best for all-round purposes. As far as punt-gunning 

 goes, we find that it matters little whether the shot is soft or 

 hard, provided fowl are taken at killing ranges, for then both 

 kinds answer equally well. To hold forth all the many 

 arguments relative to soft shot versus hard or chilled would 

 take much time. To begin with, we have heard the hard and 

 soft shot spoken of as though one kind was as hard as steel 



