V 



must be determined by the space to be filled. If n 

 dense powders are being used, which take up but ^ 

 little space in the shell, high base shells, that are \ 

 made especially for those powders, should be used. 

 If shells are to be loaded and kept long before be- 

 ing used, we would advise a field wad on top of 

 the powder. This is placed next to the powder to 

 avoid the possibility of grease destroying the pow- 

 der if left in a warm place. If cartridges are to 

 be used soon after loading, one good # inch pink 

 edge or black edge wad will be all right, followed 

 by a good % inch felt wad and a cardboard, on 

 which is placed the shot. If shot is placed on a 

 wad that is too soft, the pellets will sometimes 

 sink deeply into the wad, causing it to keep com- 

 pany with the shot, which is not beneficial. For 

 shells that have been cut off short to be reloaded, 

 we would recommend two y% inch pink or black 

 edge wads, and a cardboard before the shot. Re- 

 member to leave % inch for crimping in every 

 case. Hard cardboard wads of large sizes should 

 be avoided, as there is nothing that will destroy 

 the choke in a fine barrel sooner. 



Whether shells are loaded by yourself or at the 

 factory, it is well if using a repeating shot gun, to 

 test the cartridges, by inserting them all in the 

 chamber of the gun before putting them in the 

 magazine. This may prevent a jam at a time when 

 it would cost more than the time it takes to gauge 

 them. 



Cartridges will sometimes upset in the magazine 

 being jumped together by the recoil of previous 

 discharges. Loaded cartridges should be kept in 

 a dry place, for dampness will cause them to swell. 



Cut "O" illustrates the Ideal Loading Machine 

 Model 1899. It is provided with triple gradua- 

 tions, which are as follows: One for drachms and 

 fractions thereof, from y 2 drachm to 5 drachms. 

 Another is for grains, from 40 to 140 grains, in 

 marks 5 grains each, for shot gun and larger rifle 

 charges. Still another will accurately measure 

 from i to 35 grains, I grain each mark; thus the 

 smallest and largest charges desired can be se- 

 cured. When the weather is humid and heavily 

 charged with moisture, the cold metal of which 



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