2 DEER-STALKING. 



This is mentioned because some gun-makers have 

 been known to take gentlemen to see their guns shot 

 at the plate with the most wonderful results for pattern 

 and penetration results which the gun quite fails to 

 maintain when it is sent home. This is how it is 

 managed. Having arrived at the shooting-ground, the 

 would-be purchaser is asked whether he would like to 

 see the gun first tried for pattern or penetration. 

 Suppose the former is chosen, the gun is forthwith 

 loaded, and both barrels are emptied at the three-foot 

 circle with grand results. Then comes the trial for 

 penetration ; the brown paper pad is suspended on the 

 plate, both barrels are again discharged, and once more 

 the result is extraordinary. Forthwith in exchange for 

 a cheque the gun becomes Mr. Buyer's own. 



Now the truth is, that when tried for pattern the 

 cartridge contains, say two drams of powder and one and 

 a quarter ounces of shot ; when tried for penetration 

 the cartridge holds, say four drams of powder and only 

 three-quarters of an ounce of shot ! 



The writer feels somewhat chary about telling this 

 story, but he is very credibly informed that this 

 trick has been played on inexperienced buyers by un- 

 scrupulous gun-makers, and it is mentioned to put the 

 unwary on their guard. With a rifle such a ruse would 

 not have anything like the same effect; but even in 

 trying a rifle it will always be best to see that each 

 cartridge contains what it professes to do. 



The *500 bore and the '450 bore each have their 

 partisans, but the latter is the rifle most usually carried. 

 It is hardly necessary to say that the '500 bore, whether 



