MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 391 



As before said, a series of experiments sliould be instituted 

 to find out the exact charge that suits your gun best; that is, 

 what proportion of powder and what proportion of shot will 

 kill the farthest with the most certainty. This can be accom- 

 plished by firing at sheets of paper at a distance of forty yards 

 with different sized loads, and marking down the result of each 

 discharge. 



To make this chapter more complete, we cannot do better 

 than introduce a few paragraphs from Greener on this subject, 

 and at the same time remark that every Sportsman will derive 

 abundance of information appertaining to the gun by the peru- 

 sal of this highly instructive work. 



"I have repeatedly stated that all guns will burn a certain 

 quantity of powder; you must, therefore, ascertain what that 

 quantity is, which can only be done by practice. Suppose you 

 begin with two drachms, and vary the charge one-eighth of a 

 drachm each shot up to three drachms and a half, or as may be 

 required, according to the length and bore of the gun ; and for 

 precision, taking three shots with each charge at a sufficient 

 number of sheets of paper; whichever 3^ou find strongest, with 

 the least quantity of powder, that is the best charge, as very 

 likely the two next additions of powder will shoot equally 

 strong, and yet not stronger, because more of it remains un- 

 burnt. Therefore, the least quantity that shoots equally strong 

 is the proper charge, which, having once ascertained, never 

 change for an}'' person's plan. 



" Next, as to the charge of shot. All guns, according to 

 their bore and length, will shoot a certain weight and a certain 

 size of shot best. A great deal of shot in a small bore lies too 

 far up the barrel, and creates an unnecessary friction ; and the 

 shot, by the compression at the moment of explosion, becomes 

 all shapes, a circumstance which materially affects its flight. If 

 of too great a weight, the powder has not power to drive it 

 with that speed and force required to be efficacious, because the 

 weight is too great in proportion. Those who reason with 

 mathematical calculation will object to this doctrine. Say they, 

 the greater the weight the greater the effect. No doubt it is so, 

 if thrown with a proportionate force ; but that cannot be ob- 

 tained with a small gun. We must adapt the weight of projectile 



