10 SHOOTING. 



its shot witli effect. Now, however, the barrel is considerably 

 shortened, and with good effects. But here again some sportsmen 

 apprehend we have run into an opposite error, and are now making 

 them too short. Mr. Robins, who seems to have paid great atten- 

 tion to this matter, says that sportsmen may please themselves 

 whether the length of their barrels be from twenty -eight to forty 

 inches ; but that if they either go above or below these dimen- 

 sions, they wUl find that the range of the shot will begin to fail 

 them. "We would say, that as matters stand at present, the general 

 opinion is in favour of moderate length of barrel. Such fowling- 

 pieces are decidedly more adapted for general purposes, more port- 

 able, and are free from many inconveniences to which very long guns 

 are liable. The Oakeligh Shooting Code gives the follo\^TLng judgment 

 on the matter : — "The fowling-piece to be recommended for general 

 use is a double-barreUed detonator, weighing about eight pounds • 

 the barrels thirty or thirty-two inches hi length, sixteen gauge, ana 

 made of tv.dsted stubs. It is not sportsmanlike to use double 

 barrels of a greater calibre ; nor are longer barrels convenient on 

 account of their weight, although additional length, not carried to 

 an extreme, or a larger cahbre, may probably render them more 

 effective, in so far as they Avill sustain a heavier charge. Single 

 barrels, for general use, may be thirty-four inches long 2xA fourteen 

 gauge," The same authority says, that " the barrels of the grous- 

 ing gun should be thirty-two inches long, sixteen gauge ; a single 

 barrel for grouse-shootiag should be thirty-six inches bug, and 

 fourteen or fifteen gauge. If selected for partridge-shooting only, 

 the barrels should be thirty inches long, and sixteen gauge ; or a 

 single barrel thu'ty-four_ inches, and fourteen or fifteen gauge. If 

 selected for cover-shooting only, the barrels should, be only twenty- 

 eight inches by sixteen gauge ; or single barrels thirty-two inches, 

 and fifteen gauge. 



Extent of Uayige.^ — There is on this subject no small degree of 

 contrariety of opinion. There have been the most opposite notions 

 entertained by the most distmguished sportsmen. We cannot, 

 therefore, pretend to solve the problem m dispute. Two points 

 are to be attained by all guns, to keep the shot from bemg scat- 

 tered, and to give them the greatest amount of force or propidsion. 

 These are the ends, but the means best calculated to effect these 

 ends give rise to numerous and conflicting theories and expedients. 

 Some think that the muzzle of the gun should be a httle Andened ; 

 some advise the mixing of oil and water Avith the shot ; and some 

 place all their faith hi weU-regulated charges of powder. There are 

 advantages attending all these methods, but not to the extent 

 which their respective advocates maiutaiti. The distance of range 

 that most fowHug-pieces will carry, on ordinary occasions, is forty 

 yards. Of coui'se we have heard of wonderful long shots since we 

 ever took a gun in hand, which is full forty years ago, and we have 

 actually seen long shots. But these are tlie exceptions to general 

 rules. We tliink that from general observation it will be found 



