BHOOTING SYSTKMB.] ''V FIELD, WOOD, AND UAIHIi. [SUOOTINO BYSTEMB. 



Bbooting detonator? Because it is found by 

 cxpcricuco tliat, notwithstanding tho force and 

 quickness with which tlio shot is propelled by 

 the best of guna, if tho gun be directed at right 

 nns^lcd at a crossing bird which is at the ilia- 

 tauco of thirty-tive yards, tho charge will arrive 

 too late. The bird has, during tho transit of 

 the charge, advanced about two feet through 

 tho atmosphere, although, doubtless, a minute 

 portion of time is lost between tho pulling of 

 tho trigger and the discharge, as well as be- 

 tween tho deterniiuation to pull and the actual 

 pulling. At all events, from these combined 

 causes of delay, the bird obtains an advance of 

 from one to three feet, the judicious anticipa- 

 tion of which by the sportsman is requisite to 

 •access. 



A further consideration presents itself as 

 involved in the theory of shooting; and this is 

 in the gravitation of the charge towards the 

 earth. As this tendency, however, is remedied 

 in all good guns by the proper setting of the 

 barrels, the sportsman is under no necessity of 

 making any calculations in regard to it, at least 

 within the distance of forty yards, as all guns, 

 turned out by first-rate makers, are so well put 

 together, that what is termed a point-blank 

 aim may be taken at that distance. This 

 point-blank aim means, that the, centre of the 

 charge will hit the object to which the gun is 

 directed, if a correct aim be taken, the rib 

 being elevated iu proportion to the length of 

 the barrels and the strength of their shooting, 

 so that the direction of the l./cter, in point of 

 fact, at a distance of forty yards, is from eight 

 to twelve inches above the line of sight, whereby 

 the gravitation of the charge is remedied. 



As the rib is not parallel with the calibre, 

 and as the breech end of the barrels must bo 

 sunk into tlie stock, more or less, according to 

 the thickness or elevation of the rib, it is evi- 

 dent that the elevation of the barrels will be 

 increased in proportion to the elevation of the 

 rib; but it is hardly necessary to enlarge upon 

 60 clear and obvious a mathematical truth — as 

 the French say, " cela saute aux yeux." "We 

 will, therefore, only make the following short 

 remark, whicli will obviate all misapprehension : 

 A one straight line be drawn from the rib, and 

 another from the centre of the calibre, to the 

 distance of forty yards, they will be found to be 

 from about eight to twelve inches apart, pro- 



vided the elevation of tho rib and tho Bettinjj 



of tho barrels bo cornet. 



If all guuB wero of similar strength in their 

 shooting, tho preciso degree of elevation might 

 bo ascertained to a mathematical nicety, and 

 tho gun- maker would have a fixed rule for 

 his guide, irrespective of trials; but this not 

 being tho case, proofs must be resorted to, and 

 the rib elevated accordingly. Not that this 

 is always tho case, as guns badly set are not 

 unfrequently to be met with, and to which 

 tho elevation is insufficient, consequently occa- 

 sioning much disappointment at all long dis- 

 tances, by wounding and breaking the legs of 

 birds, instead of killing thcni ; and although tho 

 sportsman is oftcner in fault than the gun, yet, 

 we believe that there are some instances in which 

 the fault is in the gun. In addition to the pro- 

 per setting of the barrels, and the correct eleva- 

 tion of the rib, the balance of the gun and tho 

 peculiar make of the stock, from the locks to 

 the point or tip, merit the attention of the 

 sportsman, especially in a heavy gun. Heavy 

 guns, with the point of the stock bent too 

 much downwards, are apt to deceive the best 

 of shots in quick shooting, and, with moderate 

 shots, create frequent disappointment, espe- 

 cially at the end of a long day's shooting, after 

 much hard fagging. We think the gnu ought 

 to balance evenly, when placed on the palm of 

 the hand, immediately past the end of the 

 locks. 



Much has been said on the superior advan- 

 tages of the use of two eyes over one : in fact, 

 some of the advocates of the two-eyed system 

 have spoken very disparagingly, and, as we 

 cannot help thinking, with unbecoming 

 severity, of those who support the one-eyed 

 plan— tho latter being represented as slow- 

 coaches, their practice behind the times, obso- 

 lete, &c. But is this tho fact ?— is it tim ? 

 We think not ; and, if we may be permitted lo 

 judge from observation and experience, we 

 should say tho one-eyed men, ccvteris parihi(s, 

 are quite as competcut to " fill the bag" as 

 their opponents, eimply because we believe 

 each system to have its relative advantages and 

 disadvantages, presuming each party to have 

 guns of similar make and construction, of like 

 setting as to the barrels, and of equal elevation 

 of the rib. But, if guns are badly set, and 

 with insufficient elevation, then it must bo 



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