1/0 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE. 



much stronger, and are consequently heavier, than a 

 sportsman would wish his fowling-piece to be. 



A number of other proofs, by powder, might be 

 enumerated were it necessary; but as they are much 

 the same thing tried different ways, it would be em- 

 ploying the reader to no purpose. If a well-manu- 

 factured barrel will bear the explosion of six or seven 

 times the quantity of powder generally used for a 

 charge, with a bullet fixed close on the top of it, the 

 sportsman need not be afraid to use it. 



Causes of Bursting. 



The first step to prevent this is to purchase your 

 fowling-piece from a gun-smith of respectability, 

 giving at the same time a good price for it ; (for, 

 however respectable a gun-smith maybe, you have no 

 right to expect a good article for an inferior price.) 

 This is the most likely method of guarding against a 

 barrel made of bad iron, which to outward appear- 

 ance, and superficial examination, might appear per- 

 fectly unquestionable. But as there are a variety of 

 causes that may occasion a barrel made of good 

 materials to burst, I shall therefore proceed to enu- 

 merate them. 



The bursting of barrels generally arises from im- 

 proper treatment. If hy any mearcs, in loading, the 

 shot happens not to be rammed home (close on the 



