GUNS AND AMMUNITION. 



475 



This gun is so nearly obsolete, in the West, 

 that one is rarely seen. One of the best 

 hunters I ever knew used a gun of this 

 model for several years, but discarded it 

 because, as he said, it would not bleed a 

 deer. This seems the principal objection 

 advanced by those who do not favor the 

 use of any of the smaller calibres. 



M. Fenwick, of this State, who is a skilful 

 hunter of big game, and who is said to be 

 the best running shot in the State, nearly 

 always uses a gun of 45 calibre. He admits 

 that the rifles of smaller calibre are more 

 accurate; but thinks more game can be se- 

 cured by using a repeating rifle of large 

 calibre. 



B. D. Pane, Eugene, Ore., a fine shot 

 and a successful hunter, says the Winches- 

 ter or the Marlin rifle, using a 30-40 smoke- 

 less cartridge, is large enough for any game, 

 if a soft point steel jacketed bullet is used. 



Personally I have never had any experi- 

 ence with rifles of this class. They may be 

 all right, but it seems to me if the men who 

 so strongly advocate their use had to stop 

 a grizzly bear, in open ground, they would 

 feel better to stand behind a 45-90 Win- 

 chester. 



R. D. K., in February Recreation, says: 



" My idea of a good hunter is that his 

 bullet should never hit a bone on the side 

 of the animal on which it enters." 



This reads strangely to Western hunt- 

 ers who kill most of their game running, at 

 full speed, with repeating rifles. At stand- 

 ing game the shoulder shot is considered 

 the best and the safest. With a rifle sighted 

 to shoot a trifle high, to pull up the foreleg 

 until the sight darkens full, is certainly a 

 good shot. 



I trust R. D. K. will take no exception to 

 this criticism, as it is kindly given. In fact, 

 I think one secret of the popularity of Rec- 

 reation, over other periodicals of its class, 

 is owing to the simple, candid manner in 

 which sportsmen are allowed to express 

 their opinions through its columns. 



E. L. H. 



This locality is not noted as a game coun- 

 try; but we have fair fishing, in season. 

 Owing to the scarcity of game, lovers of the 

 gun and rifle must needs content them- 

 selves with shooting at inanimate targets. 

 Since early in November we have been 

 shooting once or twice a week, for turkeys 

 or for jack pots. 



Most of the shooting, with the rifle, has 

 been on the Standard American target, at 

 50 yards. There is one little 22 calibre rifle, 

 with 22 inch barrel, that has been winning 

 two-thirds of all the meat and money, 

 against a half dozen others, all of larger 

 calibre. At first the boys derisively styled 

 it the popgun, but lately they have learned 

 to have more respect for it. 



I am looking for a repeater that can do 



as good work, with the .22 long rifle car- 

 tridge, as that same single shot. I would 

 like to hear from some of your readers, who 

 are expert rifle shots, as to the best sights 

 for rest shooting, at 50 to 200 yards. 



Moody, Rushville, N. Y. 



Editor Recreation: I have been using 

 Winchester rifles for 3 years. First was a 

 44-40-200 with which I did good work. I 

 killed deer, squirrels, rabbits, and one wild 

 cat. Then I tried a 32-20-115 and find it 

 just the thing to use here. With this I have- 

 killed deer, rabbits, squirrels, quails, coons, 

 etc. It does good work up to 150 yds.. 



Many shooters claim that a 32 is too small 

 for big game; but if they know where to 

 hold it is large enough for here in Hum- 

 boldt and Trinity Counties. The deer. 

 coons, bears, panthers, rabbits, and game 

 of all kinds, is easy to get within shooting 

 distance of. If the hunter is careful he can 

 get within 50 to 60 yards of deer. 



I am now using a 92 model 32-20-115 

 Winchester rifle and have had good results 

 from the first time I went out with it and 

 think I always shall have. 



W. B., Bridgeville, Cal. 



I am very much interested in your won- 

 derful magazine. It is a prize to sportsmen 

 and the only trouble I find is in waiting 

 from one month to another. I have it all 

 read through long before it is time for an- 

 other issue. Guns and ammunition is the 

 first thing I strike for, and I wish there was 

 more on that subject. Am showing your 

 magazine to all my friends that I think have 

 a drop of sportsmen's blood in them, and 

 hope Recreation will reach the millions, 

 which it will if given justice. 



G. R. R.. Northfield, Vt. 



I am a small bore crank, and would say 

 to J. V. that for all-around shooting I con- 

 sider the 22 Marlin best. I bought one and 

 have never regretted it. The 22 short car- 

 tridge is about as good as the 22 long, and 

 is cheaper; while the 22 long rifle is far 

 better and no dearer. I should like to hear 

 from some one who has used the 22 short, 

 hollow point bullets. 



A. H., Paterson, X. J. 



Replying to J. V., I have a 22 short Mar- 

 lin single shot rifle, which I have used 5 

 years. I have tried several other makes of 

 same calibre, but like the Marlin best. With 

 slight elevation, it shoots accurately at 100 

 yards, and point blank at 50 yards. 



I use a graduated peep rear sight and a 

 Beach combination front sight 



J. S., Xew York City. 



