y82 The Shot- Gun. 



20 lbs. This gun is used in " point shooting " at ducks on the Ches- 

 apeake. It is charged with from 12 to 15 drams of powder, similar 

 to Hazard's No. 5 or to Dupont's No. 1, and with 2^ ozs. of shot. 



An eight-bore double-barrel gun weighs about 15 lbs., and is 

 charged with 7 to 8 drams of powder and with 1 % to 1 % oz. of shot. 

 The powder used in this gun is similar in quality and texture to that 

 used in the No. 4 gauge. 



A ten-bore gun weighs about 10 lbs., and its load is from 4 to 5 

 drams of powder and about 1 % oz. of shot. In this gauge, and in 

 the twelve-bore, I have found that the best powder is one similar to 

 Hazard's No. 4 duck-shooting powder. 



A twelve-bore carries a charge of from 3 to 3 ^ drams of powder, 

 and from 1 oz. to 1 % oz. of shot. 



The sixteen-gauge is loaded with from 2 to 3 drams of powder, 

 and with Y A oz. to 1 oz. of shot. In this gauge of gun, use a powder 

 like "Hazard's No. 4" or "Dupont's choke-bore" powder. 



The charges of powder and shot which will give the best shoot- 

 ing of a given gun must be determined by the sportsman himself. 

 The load depends on the weight of the gun, on the length and 

 texture of the barrels, and on the manner in which these are bored. 



To get the charge best suited to a gun, use the smallest quan- 

 tity of shot that will give the desired closeness of pattern, driven 

 with the largest charge of powder which, together with the load of 

 shot, will give a recoil which will not produce any disagreeable 

 effects on the shoulder, head, or eyes of the shooter. You will then 

 have obtained the three conditions essential to the best shooting of 

 this particular gun, viz.: First, such closeness of pattern that the 

 game does not escape between the pellets ; secondly, a high velocity 

 in the shot, giving penetration and range*; and, thirdly, comfort to 

 the shooter. To show how different guns of the same gauge may 

 vary in their charge in order to produce accord in the above-named 

 three conditions, we will cite experience with three twelve-gauge 

 guns in our possession. They are of different weights, differ in the 

 lengths of barrels, and they are bored differently. In order to get 

 the conditions I have mentioned, one of them in the closest accord 

 has to be charged with 3^ drams of powder and \]A oz. of shot; 



* The great advantage of the choke-bore is, that from the closeness with which it 

 throws shot, the charge of the latter may be much reduced, when compared with the 

 charge the cylinder-bore requires to give the same closeness of pattern. 



