272 DUCK GUNS. 



before observed, when speaking of them, is to go at 

 once to a gunmaker or a pawnbroker.) 



Many will tell you, that a large gun will do no 

 more execution than a small one ; and, by the same 

 rule, they may say, that a gun will kill no farther 

 than a pistol. 



The advantage of a duck gun is, that it will carry 

 large shot more compactly, and may be fired with 

 double or treble the charge for a piece of an ordinary 

 size. You are therefore enabled to use the largest 

 shot, with the same advantage, that No. 7 may be 

 fired from a double gun ; by which means, at a large 

 object, you may kill considerably farther ; and, in a 

 flock, many more birds at a shot. 



In comparing small shot from a double gun, as 

 having the same advantage over large, that a pin, 

 with a moderate pressure, would have over a nail, 

 in piercing the feathers of game, by the same argu- 

 ment it may be said, that large shot, from a duck 

 gun, would have the effect of the nail driven by a 

 hammer through the strong bones and feathers of 

 wildfowl. A large gun, to carry twice as much as a 

 small one (say three or four ounces), should not weigh 

 less than 12, nor exceed Idlbs. and be used with No. 1 

 or 2 shot ; and the same proportion of powder as 

 before recommended. One to carry five or six ounces 

 should not weigh less than 18, nor exceed QOlbs., and 

 be used with A or B shot ; and so on in proportion ; but 

 this is the most that can well be fired without a rest. 



