396 



THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



Now a few words about muzzle-loaders. The 

 cost of the latter is about half that of the first 

 described. They are also .very much lighter.* 



* I here give size, weight, bore, and charge for well-proportioned 

 swivel-guns, to suit the punts used in fowling, and to be of service 

 themselves to the shooter in every way. In ordering a large gun the 

 first thing to think of is 



ist. The charge of shot it will be required to shoot. 



2nd. To ascertain what amount of powder would be required for 

 this charge ; the proportion being three ounces of powder to a 

 pound of shot, and a slight increase for larger bores. 



3rd. Having found the requisite amount of powder, the barrel 

 should be long enough to burn it, and no longer. The lengths here- 

 after given are ample. 



4th. Necessary weight of gun to take recoil of the charge. And 



5th. Bore best adapted to it. 



PUNT-GUNS. 



About six to eight pounds may be deducted for weight of stock 

 and lock, and some twelve to fourteen inches added for its length. 



* This may appear somewhat small for a I2olb. gun, but what we 

 want is too small rather than too large a bore in a big weapon. Punt- 

 guns of a too large bore are always veiy heavy in proportion to their 

 loads, and when underloaded shoot " soft." 



