OF THE OLD WOr.LD. 471 



There is less recoil in a breech-loader than in a 

 muzzle-loader of the same size and weight, which I 

 account for by its construction rendering it neces- 

 sary to have more weight of metal at the breech ; 

 and also because at the bottom of the cartridge of 

 the breech-loader there is a tight roll of j^aper, about 

 one-eighth of an incli in thickness, which (like the 

 buffer of a railway carriage) gives with the action of 

 the powder and lessens the recoil. 



After five years' experience with breech-loaders, 

 during which I have made a series of practical 

 experiments, I have come to the conclusion that 

 they shoot rather harder than ordinary muzzle- 

 loading guns ; and my way of accounting for this 

 fact is, that all luindarje is prevented, (l)y the wad- 

 ding used being a size larger than the bore ;) be- 

 sides which, I think they will hum more jJOiuder, 

 and of a larger grain than that in general use for 

 percussion-guns, which is stronger, because there 

 is more air that facilitates combustion between the 

 grains. I also consider that they shoot quicker, 

 because there is no long communication (the nipple) 

 between the point of ignition and the charge, the 

 explosion of the cap taking place in the centre of 

 the powder, which is inflamed almost simultane- 

 ously ; for it is an error to suppose that gunpowder 

 explodes instantaneously, as, however rapid its pro- 

 gress, it takes a certain time in travelling from the 

 first grain to the last. 



The sportsman can easily make up his own car- 



