82 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



tried as corroboratory at twenty, thirty, fifty, sixty, and, as 

 a matter of curiosity, with increased charges of powder and 

 various elevations, at fancy distances, 70, 80, and upward, 

 till you fail to touch the paper at all. 



If, however, the gun perform thoroughly well, and to 

 admiration, at forty yards, it will do so at all distances, 

 and may be held capable of all that can be asked of wood 

 and iron. 



It must be remembered, lastly, that by increasing the 

 quantity of powder to an equal charge of shot, you in- 

 crease the force and velocity, but detract from the close- 

 ness of the shooting ; and vice versa. A light charge of 

 powder and a heavy one of shot will tell wonderfully for 

 closeness, but not all for strength. 



With wire cartridges, however, the results of charging 

 are precisely the reverse of this. The heavier the charge 

 of powder, the closer the cartridge places its shot, as well 

 as the farther. The reason is obvious. 



The utility of the cartridge arises from its power of 

 keeping its shot together after being propelled from the 

 muzzle, which it leaves as a single ball. According to the 

 stiffness of the cases, this quality endures longer, and the 

 cartridges are graduated and distinguished as blue, red, 

 and green — the latter being fit only for sea-shooting, and 

 often going several hundred yards before they burst, 

 though they ought to open at 70, and deliver their shot, 

 at its best, at 100. Therefore the heavier the charge of 

 powder, the farther the cartridge is sent unbroken, and 

 the closer will the shot be planted at any given distance. 



I should, perhaps, add to this, in order to obviate the 



