24 EQUIPMENT. 



loader, a slight increase in the gauge will admit 

 of larger charges being used for flock-shooting, 

 while the objections in the case of the breech- 

 loader do not occur. Their weights in propor- 

 tion to their gauges should be as follows : 



Tor a 10-bore, 9 to 10£ lbs.; 9-bore, 10£ to 

 12 lbs.; 8-bore, 12 to 14 lbs. The barrels should 

 never be under 30 inches in length, while anything 

 over 35 — and that only for an 8-bore — is super- 

 fluous, and only waste and useless metal to carry. 

 Damascus is, I think, the best material, on ac- 

 count both of its beauty and superior strength. 

 Laminated steel, if properly made, is about as 

 good, but so many cheap and almost worthless 

 imitations are in the market that it cannot be 

 relied upon. Damascus cannot be cheaply counter- 

 feited, and therefore is more to be depended on. 

 Select barrels, if possible, having nearly a true 

 taper from breech to muzzle. The rib should be 

 about £ to -| inch wide, slightly concave laterally, 

 but perfectly straight lengthwise, and sufficiently 

 elevated at breech to prevent under-shooting. 

 Sight-piece small and close to the muzzle. 



So many different principles and methods are 

 employed for breech-loading actions that a full 

 consideration of their merits and defects will be 



