THE SHOT-GUN, AND HOW TO USE IT. 317 



making no difference in shooting qualities as between 

 these two. As the 30 inch is more generally used, we 

 will as an illustration accept one of that length. The 

 weight depends on the physique of the party using the 

 gun. For wild-fowl shooting 10 bore guns run in weight 

 from 9 to 12 pounds. We will not be an extremist 

 either way. Should we accept the lighter weight, the 

 strong charge of powder necessary to use would make 

 the recoil unpleasant. This we could partially do away 

 with by making our charge of shot smaller. But we 

 are inexperienced as yet, and must not do that, for we 

 don't want to be handicapped on our load. Should we 

 take the extreme weight, then our gun would be un- 

 pleasantly heavy and unfit for ordinary shooting. If 

 you are of strong build, and capable of withstanding 

 fatigue, choose a 10 or 10 1-2 Ib. 10 bore, for you will 

 bear in mind that so much of your shooting will be 

 from blinds and boats that you can stand a heavy gun ; 

 besides, the heavier the gun the slighter the recoil. 



If your business is such that your habits are seden- 

 tary, and have little opportunity for out-door enjoyment, 

 choose a 9 1-2 or 9 3-4 Ib. 10 bore, or an 8 34 or 9 Ib. 12 

 bore. Please remember these guns we are now men- 

 tioning are for wild fowl shooting, not upland birds, 

 and great shooting power must be obtained. 



Select a gun that fits you, that is, one that comes up 

 right. The length of one's arms and neck have much 

 to do in this respect. At the same time, no rule given 

 generally can be accepted as true, for long-armed men, 

 at times, use short stocks, and short-armed men use the 

 contrary. The only correct way is to experiment with 

 guns until you find one that fits you, and take your 

 measurement from that. The length of the stock, rneas- 



