84 SEAFOWL SHOOTING SKETCHES. 



As regards hammerless, my own opinion is that the Anson and 

 Deeley is the most reliable, and any gunmaker who has not got 

 his own peculiar patent will tell you the same. 



Now for a few words on cartridge loading. If you desire full 

 charges in brass cases have the wadding of such thickness as will 

 bring the top wad within i-i6th of an inch of the end of the case, 

 which you can then turn over in an ordinary machine. By this 

 plan the cartridges are much pleasanter to handle than when 

 crimped, and the cases last much longer, there being no crimps 

 to split. It is not advisable to use any kind of cases too many 

 times, as they swell and are apt to strain the gun. 

 . You can, however, get a deal more use out of the cases by 

 using a re-sizer, which may be purchased for about is. 6d, But 

 a much more effective one may be made out of an old flat file by 

 softening and then drilling a hole the exact size of case, after 

 which the file must be re-tempered. Those sold are not long 

 enough in the handles, which should be, at least, sin. on each 

 side. Charge your cartridges in the proportion of sdr. powder 

 and IQZ. shot, using as much more as you comfortably can. For 

 choice Schultze or E.G. in the first barrel and black in the second. 



You will find that moderately small shot tells best in the long 

 run. Generally I use only s's and Q'S, which I wear in a belt, the 

 g's on the right side and the s's on the left. Thus they do not 

 get mixed. The belt is, perhaps, the slowest mode of loading 

 from, but it distributes the weight nicely and keeps the cartridges 

 dry and as before remarked separate. 



I make my own cartridge belts, using leather for both belt 

 and loops, the latter being fastened with brass wire. They are 

 very neat and strong. 



A loose gun sling is easily made. The gun must be attached 

 to a loop of leather by a small loop for the barrels, and either 

 a short strap and buckle or a leather lace and noose for the grip. 

 If you simply buckle a strap to the grip and barrel, leaving it to 

 play up and down the latter, you will find it tighten across the 

 chest most uncomfortably when carrying the gun on your back. 



When cold and tired the sling is most useful, as it enables the 

 hands to be thrust in the pockets. I have shot without taking off 

 the sling several times, and killed, too. 



II. ACCESSORIES. 



I have observed a criticism or two about using small shot. All 

 I have got to say is that I much prefer it for the smaller waders 

 to any other size. Strip a dunlin of its feathers, and it is a very 

 small object. 



With regard to No. 5, both our local gunmakers (old-established 

 firms) assure me they sell more of it than any other size. I have 

 tried all sizes, and speak well of the bridge that's carried me over. 



