THE SHOT-GUN, AND HOW TO USE IT. 319 



crooked. You will naturally feel inclined to do this, 

 because at stationary objects it will come up a little 

 easier ; but bear in mind that wild fowl will seldom be 

 stationary or on a level with you ; on the contrary, 

 they will be at an elevation, and far from you. The 

 tendency will then be to undershoot them, and experi- 

 ence will demonstrate that you will undershoot twenty 

 times when you overshoot once. 



The trigger pull should be' from 4 1-2 to 5 lbs. Not 

 less than those weights, because you are shooting with 

 gloves most of the time, and the trigger must not pull 

 too easy. Snap-shooting won't do on ducks in the long 

 run, and don't attempt it. You will find the hunter 

 who is a good judge of velocity, height, distance, and 

 the resistance of the wind, the cool, calculating shot, 

 is the one who is the expert in duck shooting. 



The barrels should be heavy at the breech, and have 

 an elegant taper from the breech to the muzzle. The 

 stock should be oiled, not varnished. As you are a be- 

 ginner, have your right barrel modified choke, and the 

 left full choke. A modified choke is a gun that will 

 throw from 300 to 325 No. 8 shot in a 24 inch circle at 

 35 yards, and a full choke 350 to 400 under like condi- 

 tions, the load being 1 1-4 oz. 



If a mechanic is known by the tools he uses, a sports- 

 man is equally known by the condition of his gun. Do 

 not bother with the locks, they will care for themselves ; 

 but it is well to look at them occasionally, especial- 

 ly after having been out in a storm. If they then need 

 attention, use only the finest watch oil. If some of 

 your friends tell you they never clean their gun ex- 

 cept when going to use it, accept the suggestion with 

 thanks, but don't you try it unless you want to give 



