318 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



ured from the front -trigger to the centre of the heel 

 plate, ranges from 14 to 14 1-2 inches, the length usu- 

 ally selected being 14 1-4. The drop of the stock, meas- 

 uring with a straight line from the full line of the rib 

 to the butt, runs from 2 1-2 to 3 3-4 inches, 3 inches be- 

 ing the standard American, while the English use much 

 straighter. Some stocks are made with a " cast off "; 

 that is, the stock is made or bent a little to the right of 

 the true line of the rib ; this brings the right eye nearer 

 the center of the rib, and enables one to catch a quicker 

 aim. The drop of the stock depends to a very great 

 extent on the position of the shooter. When one 

 stands erect he will require a crooked stock, whereas if 

 he stretches his feet far apart he will be surprised what 

 a great difference it makes. Stand in an easy, graceful 

 attitude, with the left leg advanced, the right but a 

 short distance from it, just far enough to act as a brace. 

 With a 10 gauge loaded with 4 1-2 dms. powder, the 

 pressure of recoil is fully 40 lbs. against the shoulder, 

 and unless you are prepared you will feel it. By all 

 means choose an easy, graceful position, for the attitude 

 you once assume will grow on and cling to you. Now 

 that you have chosen an easy way of standing, it will 

 not be considered as vanity on your part, but take 

 your gun, stand before a looking-glass, and repeatedly 

 sight at your right eye. If the gun ^fits you at the 

 shoulder, and each time covers the eye aimed at, so you 

 can see the entire line of the rib of the barrel, and the 

 gun's sight pointed at the lower edge of the eye, — ^then 

 you have a gun made for yon. You will, of course, 

 have to incline your head a little ; this is essential to 

 throw your eye-sight down the rib. 



For wild fowl shooting do not get your stock too 



