328 SHOOTING. 



barrels are as efficient as long ones for short dis- 

 tances, viz. under thirty yards ; and nine-tenths 

 of game brought to the bag is killed within that dis- 

 tance. And for making long shots, the wire-car- 

 tridge has obviated the necessity of using long guns. 

 A short gun of the same weight as a long one, is 

 much less tiresome to carry. A pound additional 

 weight at the breech is not so fatiguing to the arm 

 as half that weight added to the end of the barrel ; 

 it is the top-heavy gun that distresses the shooter. 



Taking the season throughout, we are convinced 

 that the most effective gun is a short light one, for 

 which our standard charge is 1 f dram, or the tenth 

 part of an ounce of powder, and 2 oz. of No. 2 shot, 

 containing 220 pellets.* But when game is wild, 

 we would charge the reserve barrel, and on some 

 occasions both barrels with nearly double the above 

 quantity of powder, and a No. 5 cartridge for winter 

 partridge shooting in an open country, or with a 

 No. 4 or 5 cartridge for grouse shooting. No. 7 is 

 best for snipe shooting. Small shot may be used 

 for partridge shooting in September, though we do 

 not see any reason for not adhering to No. 2, except 

 that birds very near the gun are liable to be more 

 disfigured by it. 



All guns of the same weight require nearly the 

 same weight and proportions of powder and shot. 

 Unless they are bored with an unusual degree of 



* The powder and shot chargers may be regulated by weighing 

 the powder with a sixpence, and the shot with four half-crowns. 

 The shooter must not adopt these proportions if smaller shot is used, 

 as they would not only cause the gun to recoil, but would be 

 dangerous. 



