GUNS. 33 



For an 8-gauge, 5 to 7 drachms powder, l£" 

 to 1£ ounces shot. 



These charges are amply sufficient for single 

 ducks, and will kill as far as heavier ones if the 

 game be fairly held on. For flock-shooting or a 

 poor marksman, more shot may be added with 

 advantage, as giving more striking surface ; and in 

 using larger shot than No. 4, one-quarter ounce 

 should be added to each of the foregoing charges, 

 on account of the fewer number of pellets con- 

 tained in the ounce. As good a way as any to 

 determine the best size of shot to be used for 

 game is to shoot at a target the actual size of 

 the game it is intended for, and at any distance 

 where you can be tolerably certain of striking 

 the target, with four or five pellets, and suffi- 

 cient force and penetration (which is the main 

 point), you may be sure you will be able to 

 secure your bird if fairly held on. 



For duck-shooting with a breech-loader I would 

 recommend the use of metallic shells. I am satis- 

 fied they shoot stronger. Paper shells are very 

 liable to get wet and thereby spoiled, besides 

 requiring so much room if a large amount of 

 shooting is expected. Their extra cost, too, 

 though an insignificant item in the minds of some, 



