INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



subject it to a patient series of trials at a target; 

 and, having accurately proved the heaviest charge 

 it will carry, with the best effect shooting close 

 and true adopt that as your loading. Some 

 years ago the correct proportions were declared 

 to be, an equal measure of powder and shot; 

 while some of the great professors, in their pigeon 

 matches, used only four drams of powder to two 

 ounces of shot No. 4. Where game does 

 not abound, we would recommend the use of 

 heavy charges; because when a bird is hit, it is 

 hit hard : in preserves, less ammunition will do. 

 It must always be borne in mind, that the heavier 

 the charge, the more quickly a barrel becomes foul, 

 As a principle, let the substance of the wad- 

 ding be regulated by the bore of the gun. Let 

 it also be elastic, and of a texture sufficiently 

 solid to resist the blast of the powder. The 

 article of wadding is sold everywhere that powder 

 and shot are to be had; and the great gun manu- 

 facturers have fitting contrivances of the sort, in 

 vast varieties. But there is not one of them 

 better than felt for large, and strong pasteboard 

 for small, bores. Keep these as dry as your 

 powder ; and ram your wadding, whatever it may 

 be made of, well down upon both your powder and 



