THE LOADING OF CARTRIDGE-CASES. 287 



shooting of his gun there ought to be no difference from that 

 of Lefaucheaux, and it must stand or fall by the merits of 

 its breech and cartridge. Those who use it must do so with 

 the full knowledge that they cannot renew their stock of 

 cartridges without resorting to Mr. Lancaster, whereas the 

 French cases may now be obtained in all our principal towns. 

 Lastly, the needle gun of Count Chateauvillier has several 

 objections to which I have alluded, and which will always 

 militate against its general adoption. 



Li addition to those gWMwbioh I have minutely described, 

 there is one put forth by Messrs. Terry and Calisher. on the 

 same principle as their rifle, to be hereafter described. The 

 fact, however, that it requires the strong rifle percussion- cap 

 to perforate its cartridge is quite sufficient to condemn it. 

 Moreover, its performance at the target is very inferior, and 

 I have not thought it worth any further notice. 



THE LOADING OF CARTRIDGE-CASES. 



Tlie various cartridge-cases are loaded according to the 

 particular plan adopted with each, and it is therefore neces- 

 sary to allude to them seriatim, beginning with 



The ordinary French cartridge fof Lefaucheaux's gun, 

 which requires only the powder and shot to be put into 

 it and wads exactly similar to those used with muzzle- 

 loaders. These are rammed down precisely as described for 

 the old-fashioned gun at page 244, but with a short tool of 

 the same diameter as the case, made expressly for the purpose. 

 When this is done, it is usual to turn over the case with a 

 stamp, so as to prevent the wad from becoming loose in the 

 pocket. Most people cut their cases to the length which will 

 just hold the charge and allow for turning over, but my own 

 decided opinion is that the proper mode is to have them cut 

 so as to be of exactly the length of the chamber of the gun, 

 within an eighth of an inch. That is to say, there should be 

 a small interval between the edge of the case and the com- 

 mencement of the shoulder of the chamber. Then use such 

 a thickness of \vad between the powder and shot as shall 

 bring the latter up to the proper level, and all difficulty is 

 avoided. When thus loaded, the turn-over tool, which in 



