84 THE COMPLETE SHOT 



at a point is much more apt to "wobble" than when it is 

 intentionally kept moving in any one direction. One of its 

 worst " wobbles " is a drop of the muzzle at the instant the 

 trigger is pulled. It is caused by sympathetic action of the 

 muscles. In order to avoid " wobble " of any kind, it is best 

 to hold the hands as far on either side of, or rather in front 

 and behind, the centre of gravity as possible. To try this, 

 let the gun be presented and aimed without the butt resting 

 on the shoulder ; first, with the hands in the usual positions ; 

 second, with one hand on either side to right and left of the 

 centre of gravity that is, just in front of the breech. The 

 tendency to " wobble " will be easily observed in the latter 

 holding and aiming. If one should be so steady as not to 

 see it, then a trial of the same thing in a high side wind will 

 very quickly show which is the steadiest way of holding. 



But even if we are such clever shots as to require no swing 

 to get on to " the spot " for the first barrel, we shall certainly 

 require to swing for the second shot, or, alternatively, adopt 

 the plan of taking the gun down from the shoulder and 

 re-presenting it. For this reason the position of the left hand 

 is not ideal for the second barrel when it is outstretched to 

 the full length of the arm, or when the arm is shortened with 

 the elbow bent is the position ideal for getting on a point 

 without swing. It is doubtful whether such a thing as the 

 latter can happen on fast crossing game, because there is 

 obviously unconscious swing in the act of bringing the gun 

 from the " ready " to the " present." 



There is no doubt that the learner, as well as the gunner 

 who is temporarily out of form, are best served by a method 

 in which they can most easily swing the gun, because it is 

 by the act of swinging the gun with the game that good form 

 is so often recovered, through increase of confidence, after 

 a partial absence without leave. But the act of swinging 

 can be done as much with the body as with the arms, and 

 certainly lateral swing can be very effective when partly 

 accomplished in this way. 



One of the most fertile causes of missing is swinging round 



