The Shot-Gun. 783 



the second, with t>% drams of powder and 1 }i oz. of shot; and the 

 third, with 3 drams of powder and 1 oz. of shot. The last gun gives 

 the best results in the field. 



The recoil of a gun is greater than one on first thought would 

 suppose. If a twelve-gauge gun of y}4 lbs. weight is held against 

 the shoulder with a pressure of 80 lbs., it will, when discharged 

 with a load of 3 % drams of powder and 1 yi oz. of shot, give a 

 blow of 30 lbs. to the shooter. A 16-gauge gun, with 2% drams 

 of powder and 1 oz. of shot, will have a recoil of 20 lbs. above 

 the 80 lbs. of pressure against the shoulder; while a 20-gauge, 

 charged with 2% drams of powder and j£ of an oz. of shot, will 

 give a push of 15 lbs. above the 80 lbs. of pressure against the 

 shoulder. Often the recoil is such that, though not noticed after 

 only a few shots, separated by considerable intervals, it becomes 

 disagreeable, and even painful, to the shoulder, and especially to the 

 head and eyes, after many shots have been made in rapid succes- 

 sion ; therefore the sportsman, in adjusting his load for recoil, should 

 consider whether he is to shoot only occasionally, as in the greater 

 portion of the shooting over dogs, or whether he is to make a great 

 many shots in rapid succession, as in shooting bay-snipe, rails, or, 

 sometimes, in duck-shooting. 



Whether the 10, 12, or 16 gauge is the best for upland shooting 

 depends on the endurance and weight of the sportsman, on the dis- 

 tances at which shots are offered, and whether these are in the open 

 or in covert. Taking the best performance of each of these gauges, 

 the advantages of penetration, pattern, and range lie with the larger 

 gauge. A 12-bore, taking all in all, is, in our opinion, the best 

 for shooting over dogs, either in the open or in covert. Whether it 

 shall have both barrels full-choked, or one barrel full-choked and the 

 other either cylinder-bore or modified choke, and whether the barrels 

 shall be long or short, depends on the kind of " shot " the sportsman 

 is. In these matters he must, as in selecting the charges for his gun, 

 decide from his experience what best suits him. To lay down laws 

 on these matters to which all sportsmen should conform is evidently 

 absurd. If a sportsman is slight of build and of moderate powers 

 of endurance, let him select a light 12-gauge gun of 7 lbs. weight 

 or a 16-gauge of 6 lbs. If his favorite sport is shooting Hob White 

 and woodcock, and he can afford only one gun. then let him get a 

 16-gauge, of weight from 6 to 6# lbs., with barrels of 26 inches in 



