28 EQUIPMENT. 



side of the straight-edge to the stock, both 

 at the top of the rise from the wrist, or the 

 nose, as. it is called, and at the butt-plate ; this 

 will give the bend. From the right trigger to 

 centre of heel-plate is the length of stock required. 

 About three inches is found to be the ordinary 

 bend, and fourteen to fourteen and one-half inches 

 the usual length of stock required. 



As to the shooting powers of the gun when 

 properly loaded, they are dependent mainly upon 

 the form of bore, in connection with the elasti- 

 city of the material of which the barrels are 

 composed. It is a very foolish idea, though one, 

 I am sorry to say, quite prevalent among sports- 

 men, to suppose, because some one gun is found 

 to do very strong and close shooting, that all 

 others made by the same maker will do equally 

 or nearly as well. This is a very unreasonable 

 presumption, especially in the judging of those 

 gunmakers who manufacture to order. Their cus- 

 tomers generally order their guns made to shoot 

 as their use requires. One who may not be over- 

 particular in aiming, or who desires a gun solely 

 for wood or brush shooting, and where he seldom 

 has to shoot far, will, perhaps, order the gun made 

 to shoot open. Another, who may shoot nothing 



