244 VARIETIES OP SHOT-GUNS, ETC. 



which is described at page 196, and this is about what the 

 average of sportsmen would consider a pleasant-shooting 

 gun. 



LOADING. 



There are several points to be attended to in loading this 

 kind of gun, if the most is to be made of what can be done. 

 Thus, supposing a good pattern is desired, then the charge of 

 powder must be reduced ; while, on the other hand, if hard 

 hitting is the object, the powder is increased in proportion 

 to the shot. Again, if it is desired to make the gun shoot 

 slowly, the powder is to be rammed down into a solid mass, 

 a light tap being all that is necessary when a rapid explosion 

 is required. So, again, as the friction of small shot is greater 

 than that of large, the former requires more powder than 

 the latter. Short barrels require finer powder than long, 

 which latter allow more time for combustion, and if fine 

 powder is used with them they will expend a greater quantity 

 of it beneficially, though with a greatly increased recoil. 

 Taking all these points into consideration, the following 

 table will be serviceable : 



Weight of gun. Bore. <%% Chggeof 



7ilbs 12 2f 



7ilbs 12 2f 



7 Ibs 14 2| 1 



6|lbs 14 2J 1 



6ilbs 16 2^ | 



Having fixed upon the charge, either from theory or from 

 experiment with the particular gun, let it be brought out 

 thoroughly clean, and then proceed to load as follows. First, 

 put on a pair of caps, then explode them, and holding the 

 gun perpendicularly, with the butt on the left foot, at half 

 arm's length, and the right lock facing you ; pour down each 

 barrel' the proper charge of powder, beginning with the left 

 barrel, which is then placed farthest from you. Next put in 

 two greased felt wads, and ram them gently home, giving 

 one smart (but not violent) tap to each, to drive the powder 

 to the nipples. After this put in the charges of shot, again 



