POWDER AND SHOT, g^ 



mixed with the shot; and the pomler is confined the same as it 

 would he were there a ball in the barrel that fitted tight Thus 

 the Avhole force is properly exerted. 



Walker's metallic gun-waddmgs have a considerable reputation 

 among sportsmen. Their metallic edges are said to prevent the 

 surface of ih^ barrel from becommg leaded. Other waddings are 

 likewise recommended, as Joyce's, Wilkinson's and Beckmth's 

 The mam thing is to keep the whole charge in the guu as compact 

 as possible m actmg east offensively oS the gun, and moTef. 

 fectivelv on the object aimed at. 



We have as yet said nothing about the Rifle-gun, which is 

 partially used for sportmg purposes, such as deer-stalking, and 

 rook-shootmg The barrel m all rifles is much stronger and 

 heavier than the ordmaryfowhng-pieces. Its bore has loSg been 

 manufactured with mdentations within, which form spiral grooves 

 throughout Its entu:e extent. , The principle on which aU rifles are 

 made, and the object they ami to accompHsh, is to impart to the 

 tlf!;^ "i? f^^'l'^'" ^P"^F modioli round its axis, as it passes out 

 through the baiTcI. The old mode of manufacturing articles of 

 this kind tailed to accomphsh this purpose to any great extent ; but 

 modern art has efi^ected a considerable change for the better The 

 ban-el ot a rifle is now cut with only two opposite grooves, and the 

 baU bemg framed with a projected belt or zone round its equator, 

 ot the same form as the grooves, it enters so readily into these 

 follows, that little or no force is requii^ed to press it down upon 

 the powder. The general result has been that guns of this character 

 cany either ball or large shot much further, and with a vastly in- 

 creased impetus than the common flmt or percussion fowlmg-pro- 

 jectiles. _ The locks for rifles have, Ulcewise, undergone a great 

 change m recent tunes, and many important alterations and im- 

 provements have been efi'ected in their structui-e and mechanism 

 Ihe reversmg the position of the main-spring, has mcreased the 

 general compactness and strength of the works, and also rendered 

 them more powerful, durable, and easy of repau-. The ignition of 

 the powder is so certam, that a misfire is rare in good rifles. They 

 are gettmg daily mto more general use in sporting circles, not only 

 "^w ^ conntry, but on the continent, and in the American states. 



We shall now bring our observations and descriptions of the gun 

 to a close, but we beg to remark, before leaving, that every reader 

 ot sporting works on this instrument must have noticed the very 

 conflicting opmions respecting its uses, and the nature and cha- 

 racter ot its promment attributes. These opinions are so contra- 

 oictory, and are often propounded in such a spirit of confidence 

 and dogmatism, that the impression is forced upon us, that the 

 ^e theory of projectiles is but very imperfectly developed as yet. 

 We have still to learn a good deal, before we can be said to have 

 mastered the subject. The various experiments that have, from 

 trnie to_ time, been made by scientific sportsmen and practical 

 mechanics, have not been conducted with that judgment which 



