POWDEE AND SHOT. 25 



Number of Pelleta to 1 os. 



LG 5^ 



MG . . . . (hardly) 9 



SG 11 



SSG 15 



SSSG 17 



^ To what degree the various sorts of shot are effective, is a ques- 

 tion not at all settled at the present day. Where opposite opinions 

 prevail it is difficult to decide, and it 'is a folly to be dogmatical. 

 Some sportsmen of distinction maintain that for ordhiary purposes 

 of game shooting. No. 7 is the best kind of shot that can oe used. 

 It lies closer and more compact to the barrel than any other. 

 Other sportsmen, again, think the Nos. 3 and 4 are to be preferred 

 to any other sizes for common every-day work in the prime of the 

 shooting-season. Captain WiUiam'son pleads for No. 9, and Gene- 

 ral Hanger for No. 2. Another great authority tells us, that in the 

 fii'st inonth of partridge-shooting, shot No. 5 should be used ; and 

 for this reason: at this time the birds spring at hand, and we 

 seldom fire at more than the distance of forty yards. If a shooter 

 takes a fair aim he can scarcely fail to do some mischief by such a 

 cii'cle or disc of shots. Hares, likewise, at this period sit closer, 

 and beingbut thinly covered with fur, may easily be killed with this 

 sized shot at thirty or thirty-five paces. Li snipe and quail shoot- 

 ing tliis shot is the most eligible. When October advances, the 

 birds are stronger on the wing, and then No. 3 will be found more 

 suitable. This shot, it is maintained, possesses a proper medium 

 between shot too large and that which is too small, and will 

 kill a partridge at fifty yards with certainty. It is adapted for all 

 kinds of game. It is contended that distant objects may be shot 

 by large shot; but this consideration cannot bear upon the ques- 

 tion which involves the killing a number of bnds withiu a com- 

 paratively short range, and where the shots are numerous. With 

 these statements we shall leave the reader to his own fancy and ex- 

 perience. To go on alluding to the various and conflicting ideas 

 on the subject, would only perplex instead of enlighten his judg- 

 ment on the controverted point of dispute. 



Mixed shot i?,M^Q,di by some sportsmen, who have given a high 

 opinion of the practice. But there again we find many dissenti- 

 ents. Some sportsmen have even ridiculed the idea of suoh a 

 thing in no measured language. The same difference of opinion 

 hangs ?^mmi^i]iQ patent shot cartridges of Ely ; therefore we shall 

 say nothing on the matter. Shooting has its fanciful enthusiasts as 

 well as everythiug else. 



The Cojjper Caps and Cap C^^r^^r^ are of considerable importance, 

 and are entitled to consideration. They are now of almost uni- 

 versal use. In the purchase of copper caps it is prudent to make 

 a trial of one or two taken promiscuously from the mass, to pre- 

 vent disappointment. All foreign caps are to be pui'chased with 

 care ; some are excellent ; others wretchedly bad, and even dange- 



