CAPS.] 



SHOOTING, 



[WADDING. 



which involves the destructiou of a number of 

 birds within a comparatively short range, and 

 where the shots are numerous. Having given 

 these statements, we shall leave it to the reader's 

 own experience to decide which is best. To 

 go on alluding to the various and conflicting 

 opinions on the subject, would only perplex 

 instead of enlighten his judgment on the point 

 of dispute. 



Mixed SJiof is used by some who have spoken 

 highly of it. But here we have controversion 

 again. Some sportsmen have even ridiculed 

 the idea of such a thing in no measured lan- 

 guage; but Mr. Daniel informs us that his 

 uncle, " who was allowed to be one of the best 

 marksmen of his time, after minute trials and 

 mature experience, preferred it to every other 

 kind." "Gamekeepers," he continues, "fre- 

 quently use it ; and many persons in this class 

 are in the habit of trying and knowing what 

 shot will do most execution ; and are men who 

 generally draw their reflections and remarks 

 from actual and successful experiment. It is 

 true they do not write a treatise upon the sub- 

 ject ; yet, from killing game and animals at all 

 times, are, at least, as likely to form a just de- 

 cision as gentlemen who, for the most part, 

 only use their guns three months at the com- 

 mencement of the season. The numbers of 

 shot proper to mix together, for general use, 

 are 4, 5, 6, and 7." There is also a difference 

 of opinion regarding the patent sJiot cartridges 

 of Ely ; and as it is impossible to reconcile 

 opinions so at variance with each other, we 

 will let the subject rest. 



CAPS AND CAP-CHARGERS. 



Copper Caps and Cap-Chargers are now 

 almost in universal use. In the purchase of 

 copper caps it is prudent to make a trial of one 

 or two taken promiscuously from the mass, to 

 prevent disappointment. All foreign caps 

 should be purchased with care; some are 

 excellent; others wretchedly bad, and even 

 dangerous. All should be cupped to the exact 

 gauge of the diameter of the nipple. If they 

 are too small they will not explode ; and, if too 

 large, the cap of the second nipple will be apt 

 to fly off" when the other is fired. 



Mr. Greener treats of iron percussion-caps, 

 in the Neio Sportinfj Magaziiie (No. G5). He 

 recommends them on the ground of the ten- 

 500 



dency of the copper to become injured, when 

 exposed to damp, to such a degree as to be 

 converted into a paste incapable of ignition. 

 He maintains that when powder is flashed, 

 or exploded around the nipple of a gun, 

 the residue left, attracts moisture instanta- 

 neously. To remedy this, the use of iron 

 caps is enforced. " They are much easier to 

 explode ; they detach no broken particles to 

 wound the shooter, nor even expand so much 

 as to stick in the head of the striker. They 

 do not stain the hands, and they might be 

 made cheaper." 



Cap-chargers are of French invention. There 

 are several varieties of them ; some long, and 

 some round ; but, we believe, the latter stand 

 highest in public estimation. 



WADDING. 



Gun-waddings have a considerable influence 

 on the sports of the shooter. However good 

 a gun may be, and however excellent all its 

 principal appendages — powder, shot, &c. — still 

 they may all be rendered nugatory if the pro- 

 per wadding be not used. But we find in all 

 questions relative to shooting, that in propor- 

 tion to their real intrinsic importance, so like- 

 wise is there doubt and uncertainty in settling 

 them. Some recommend card wadding, some 

 liat wadding, and some pasteboard. But, what- 

 ever material is chosen for this purpose, it 

 should be strictly regulated according to the 

 bore of the barrel. "Wadding punches are 

 often made for distinct barrels, when more 

 guns than one are used. The range and de- 

 livery of the shot are greatly influenced by 

 the wadding. The common opinions on the 

 matter are, that all waddings should be quite 

 close to the barrel, but not rammed too hard. 

 The material should be rather soft than other- 

 wise, and yielding to a certain extent, but still 

 of sufficient consistency to carry the shot in 

 a body to a certain distance from the muzzle 

 of the piece. Eor if the wadding is rammed 

 too close, or is of a hard and rigid nature, 

 such as stiff" brown paper, the piece will recoil, 

 and the shot will spread ; if, on the contrary, 

 the wadding is not sufliciently close, and is 

 composed of a slight and too pliant material, 

 such as wool or cotton, it will not have 

 enough of consistency to carry shot, and the 

 discharge will lose its proper force. Besides, 



