38 SHOOTING. 



PART III. 



CHAPTER rV. 



ON THE MODES OF USING THE GUN, AND THE DOG. 



Now, when we have obtained the gun and its necessary appendage 

 the dog, we must give some few detailed instructions as to the 

 best manner of shooting or sporting with them. 



The examination or trial of afoicling-mece is an important matter. 

 If possible, a trial of a gun shoulcl always be made before a 



Eurchase, Having found that it fits well to the shoulder, and 

 andles pleasantly, then look at the locks, and examine theii 

 several parts that they are of right finish and adjustment. " Next, 

 let the breeching be taken out ; and, remember that the screw, 

 both male and female, be examined carefully ; that the male ribs 

 and the female indentations fit so closely together as to harbour no 

 wet; but that, when screwed up, they make a solid mass. This is 

 often little attended to ; but, if the amateur will take out the 

 breeches of some of the cheap guns, he will be convinced, by the 

 ill-fittmg of these important parts together, how liable such guns 

 must be to corrode and eventually burst. We therefore say, buy no 

 gun that shows any marks of disunion between the breech-screw 

 and the barrel; also, look down it against the glare of a large 

 candle, and if any flaw appears, let it be carefully examined ^\dth 

 caUipers. The breech or breeches being replaced, proceed to an 

 equally close examination of every other part of the barrel. Next 

 examine the stock and its mountings ; and bemg satisfied of their 

 soundness, strength of parts, and general unity of action through- 

 out, the next step is to try the shooting of the gun yourself. 

 Gun-makers will themselves try a gun before you, and many of them . 

 will do it fairly ; "but others have various modes of giving unfair 

 advantage to the gun, and taking them also themselves. In the 

 range, for instance, there are methods of slightly iDalling the shot, so 

 as to make them exhibit a most tempting garnish. If you are on the 

 premises of the gun-maker, unless he can show a space of fifty yards 

 in length, how can you form an opinion of what may be the killing 

 extent of the range of this, or indeed of any gun you may try there ? 

 And even if you are satisfied the piece will carry its shot so far 



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