278 DUCK GUNS. 



The large guns were loaded with precisely double 

 the charge of the small gun, which is one-fifth less than 

 that with which they always killed best. 



The paper was nailed up close to a sheet of water, 

 and two men placed to observe the effect ; which was, 

 that the outside shot (that which flew wide of the 

 paper) appeared to be driven with much more force 

 from the heavy guns, and, of course, spread a much 

 larger surface. 



This proves, that although, if both accurately levelled, 

 the difference between a wildfowl gun and a small gun 

 is riot so very considerable, at a single bird ; yet, from 

 the immense circle, which the large gun spreads, you 

 have more chances of killing with an indifferent aim ; 

 and, of course, in a flock (as before said), would kill 

 many more birds at a shot. 



At the same time an opportunity was taken to prove 

 the advantage of shot lying compact ; viz. after loading 

 the double gun with a full charge of powder, and 

 placing within the muzzle a round of pasteboard, I put 

 thereon forty-five grains of No. 7 shot, shook them all 

 into one tier on the wadding, and, after having laid on 

 them another round of pasteboard, carefully rammed 

 down all together: the result was, that, at thirty 

 yards, twenty grains were well distributed in a news- 

 paper. 



