HINTS ON SHORE SHOOTING. 



I. CHOICE OF A GUN. 



For the benefit of young shooters who take an interest in shore 

 shooting, I purpose making a few remarks, which I hope will 

 prove useful and interesting. 



At the same time, I trust they will pardon any repetition of 

 detail with which they may be already well acquainted. 



First we will take the gun. 



I have tried all bores from four to twenty, and after an experi- 

 ence of over 40 years have come to the conclusion that, taking 

 every purpose in view, nothing will beat a i2-bore. 



Let it be a fairly heavy gun, say 7?lb., and full choked in both 

 barrels, which had best be 3oin. long. Bar locks (rebounding, of 

 course) are the best looking, but back action locks make the 

 strongest gun, and are more watertight. In a muzzle-loader the 

 bar locks make the strongest weapon. 



See that you have three-pin bridles, as these work so much 

 sweeter. It is difficult to explain what three-pin bridles are, but 

 they generally work with a solid scear, and you can take the lock 

 to pieces and put it together again with much less trouble than 

 with the common bridles. 



The double-grip under-lever is the strongest action. For wear 

 I prefer it to any top-lever. There is no spring to break, and if 

 the action gets loose with wear you can easily tighten it yourself. 



Of the top-levers the one with Greener's cross bolt may be 

 considered the best and neatest. 



In any kind of gun a simple doll's head is of little, if any, use. 



Let your stock be rather straight, as it is much better to shoot 

 a trifle high, when your shot will drop and may hit the bird ; but 

 if your stock is too much bent, and you shoot under, you are bound 

 to miss. 



Low hammers look the best, though it is doubtful whether they 

 assist aiming. They do not make it more difficult, at any rate, 

 and are less liable to get broken. 



Some contend that the hammers shewing on each side are a 

 guide to the eye. I really don't think they make any difference, 

 as when firing one usually does not see any hammers at all. 



Either steel or English damascus barrels are to be preferred. 

 Examine them carefully for flaws, which are difficult to detect in 

 a new gun. 



It is foolish to pay a large sum for a weapon which has to be 

 exposed to all kinds of weather, and especially to the sea spray. 

 This takes the polish off in no time. 



