<1S4 THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE. 



also of the powder, being kept the same as has been 

 already found best suited to the piece. 



Tfie Patent Hreech. 



That this is an improvement must be allowed by 

 every one acquainted with the nature of it ; but I am 

 confident there are many who suppose it of much 

 greater importance and utility than on close exami- 

 nation it will be found. Some, for instance, imagine 

 it throws the shot much farther, which, generally 

 speaking, is not the case. The advantages to be 

 derived from the patent breech are, that it takes less 

 powder, and fires quicker; the explosion is instan- 

 taneous, and more of the powder is kindled than in 

 the common breech : it will be found, on firing, par- 

 ticularly with a common breech, that some of the 

 powder will come out without having exploded ; and, 

 to prove the truth of this assertion, it will be neces- 

 sary only to put a sheet or two of white paper imme- 

 diately under the muzzle of the piece, and after 

 firing, grains of powder will be found thereon. But 

 I am inclined to think, that the recoil is greater from 

 the patent breech ; as well as its getting foul or dirty 

 sooner: notwithstanding which, it is, on the 

 to be strongly recommended. 



