March 24, 18»4.J 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



263 



Equalization of Shooters Solved. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The problem of how to equalize the shooters of a club has in my 

 humble judgment been solved, and is now in successful practice at all 

 the meetings of the Knoxville Gun Club. 



This question has agitated the minds of the shooters for a long time, 

 and systems have been evolved by enthusiastic, sportsmen from time 

 to time, but only partially practical in their results. 



To equalize a 60jS member of a club with the 75, 80, 85, 88 and Q2% 

 members seems impossible, and practically has been so considered, 

 yet with tbis system the club has no trouble, and the problem is solved 

 and simply works like a charm. 



The great difficulty on this problem was the key to the starting 

 point or basis to begin work on. Find this average basis, then let 

 merit of one's own shooting ability win. Experience at all our shoots 

 and other tournaments demonstrates that 92,<4 will win or tie. Now, to 

 obtain this base you cannot use 10 or 15 target race, because they are 

 too short to determine a shooter's average ability. Neither will 

 SO targets get 92#, as 18 out of 20 = 90 # and 19 out of 20 = 96£, hence we 

 go one step higher and find that 25 targets is not too long to tire a 

 shooter and is the only proper number to determine his shooting aver- 

 age, and the base 92$ = 23 out of 25, which will win or tie more than 

 the average. 



A shooter may make 15 out of 15 = 100$. but let him shoot 20 and he 

 makes 19 out of 20 = 96$, or 25 = 23 or 92$, the tie or win, as a shooter 

 will by his record show from the club scores his average on 25 targets 

 will not go beyond 23 out of 25 or 92$. Now, let merit step in and beat 

 the average base 23 if it can do so and the shooter feels proud of his 

 win on 24 out of 25 or 25 straight. 



Hence having determined the base or starting point for equalization 

 in all club contests (briefly stated, shoot at 25 targets, necessary aver- 

 age to win or tie=23 out of 25= 92$) we can begin to easily classify the 

 members of a club. 



There are always in a club two or more members who can shoot 88 

 to 92$ on an average=22 to 23 out of 25. They will constitute class A, 

 and are only entitled to what they can break out of 25 without any 

 allowance. The next class will be those who can shoot 80 to 88$, and 

 class C who sboot 60 to 80$, as follows: 



Class A=S8 to 92$=22 or 23 out of 25— no allowance made. 



Class E=80 to 88$=20 up out of 25, equalized to basis of 83 out of 25. 



Class C=60 to 80$=12 up out of 25, equalized to basis of 23 out of 25. 



As follows: 



Class B. 



Must make 16 out of 1st 20 or 80$, doing so allowed 2 targets=18 or 90$ 

 Making 17 " " 20" 85$, " "1" " =18 or 90$ 



18 " " 20 " 90$, " " 0 " =18 or 90$ 



Class A. 



Making 12 out of 1st 20 or 60$, doing so allowed 7 targets=19 or 96$ 

 " 13 " " 20 " 65$, " " 6 " =19 or 96$ 



" etc., etc., etc., =basis 19 



Class B must make 16 to be entitled to the benefit of class allowance, 

 and then if they break their last 5 targets straight, by merit, they 

 come in for tie or win on 23 or 92$. If they fail to make 16 out of 20 

 then their score counts for only what they make without allowance, 

 and hence come in on same basis as class A that fail to make their 

 supposed basis, 23 out of 25 or 92$. 



The same rule will apply to class C, who must make their class per- 

 centage, 12 out of first 20, to be entitled to their class privileges or 19, 

 and breaking their per cent. basis=3 to 2 out of 5, or places them on a 

 possible win at 24, but a probable win at 23 or 92$, as they will only 

 average 4 out of 5, hence breaking say 12+7, their allowance=19+4 

 out of last 5 shot at=23 out of 25= 92$ tie or win by merit of the possi- 

 ble win. 



If the clubs of the country will try this system of classification, and 

 in connection with it use our "certificate trophy challenge scheme," 

 they will find renewed interest taken by the old members. 



Our club is absolutely revived, as we now have out nine certificates, 

 and each holder of same wants another, and the consequence is great 

 rivalry to win and "rub it in on a fellow." 



Now, a word about nitro loads, shell, wads, etc. Above and beyond 

 all considerations, let each member of a club get the best shooting 

 qualities of his own gun by practical tests and not theoretical demon- 

 stration. We have been surfeited by certain theoretical tabulated 

 statements, that so far as they concern the individual merits of the 

 shooter's gun are practically of no value. 



I believe in theory, but I must say when combined with practical, 

 painstaking work, experimenting by shooting loads of different pow- 

 ders, wadded differently in different length shells of different kinds is 

 the only way, for each individual can determine the best results for 

 his own gun. This is absolutely necessary to become an expert with 

 his gun, which may fit him perfectly, but he shoots a certain load that 

 some one recommends with no good results, simply because he did not 

 try it before he used it at the match which he lost. 



No two guns will shoot alike, however near they may seem to be 

 bored. A small percentage of powder added will give different results 

 in one from the other; also make a change in length of shell for long 

 or short crimp and different wadding, and your results will be sur- 

 prising. 



The average target is broken 30-35yds., and the load must be tar- 

 geted at the proper distance each individual kills it. If you target at 

 40yds. and you kill your target at 30 you are certainly handicapped by 

 a surprising target if you will only test the question. This point, 

 proper distance to target for open even results, is what every shooter 

 should bear in mind when ordering a gun and have it bored that way. 

 The quicker the load or greater the shot velocity the nearer you can 

 hold on a target and consequently the better chances to kill, as you 

 eliminate the per cent, holding so and so. Hence practically and not 

 theoretically determine the load your own gun will give best regular 

 results, and when found stick to it, even if Mr. A, who shoots some- 

 thing entirely different that fits his gun, says: "Why, try some of my 

 shells and I am sure you will do better." Confidence in your load by 

 practical trial and sticking to it will improve any shooter's score, even 

 if he does make a few bad scores, as he absolutely knows it is himself 

 at fault and not the gun or load. The sooner the vascillating shooters 

 find this out the better and quicker will it be to their own good and 

 improvement as a trap shot. 



I have been all along this whole line, and doubt not many others also 

 who read the records, and by practical hard work I have found out 

 that my Smith ejector No. 12 will give the best results for open, even 

 distribution (pull the load out from center, the great fault of all guns) 

 after trying all sorts and kinds of powder, shells and wadding as fol- 

 lows: Climax 3in. shell, primed with 3grs. FFFG Hazard .Kentucky 

 rifle, 45grs (trap) E. C, American made, one trap wad No. 11^, one 

 white felt % No, lijg (all D.M.C ) one black edge No. 12 (Winchester), 

 lJioz. No. 7y z chilled shot and their Keystone trap shot wad. 



All the wads put down solid not to mash the grain of E. C., but to 

 prevent also the hard grain priming from getting displaced. Let 

 some one try E. C. loaded this way and I will guarantee he will not 

 have a "torture to a pigeon" if he "holds on" with his gun. 



The best cheap killing load for targets I find to be as follows and 

 next best for even work: Climax or Rival 2?£ primer as above and 

 41grs. (trap) E. C, one trap or field wad, one black edge J4in. 

 U. M. C), then ljgoz. full No. 7y 2 chilled shot and thin shot wad (all 

 the time). This load gives a full J4in. crimp which is absolutely 

 necessary with any nitro powder for even and regular results. 



I prefer to use the % white wad because it will in 100 birds give 

 more regular results and relieves the recoil of the gun at the small 



additional cost. Also the new No. 3 W. Rival 2% primed lgr. and 

 41grs. E. 0., with trap wad 1J4 black edge No. 11U and one common 

 12; then lJ4oz. chilled No. 7%. This load is a killer and is used by 

 some of the Knoxville Gun Club with great success. 



If the shooters of the country will now in friendly criticism "tear 

 out the thread of my narration" for my modest claims, and by such 

 discussion advance the cause of shooting, my object will have been 

 accomplished. R. Van Gildbe, Sec'y Knoxville Gun Club. 



Knoxville, Tenn. 



Trap At San Antonio. 



The trap shooting season of 1894 was officially ushered into being by 

 the two clubs of this city on the 11th inst. The attendance at West 

 End and Lakeview was large for the first shoot of the season, and the 

 interest shown bespeaks well for a successful year at the trap. 



At West End, the Powder Hill Gun Club regular medal shoot took 

 place. The new medal for 1894 is the prettiest ever contested for in 

 this region and is the result of Mr. A. B. Critzer's good taste. This 

 club has departed from the stereotyped rapid firing system and is 

 now shooting from five unknown traps. Thirty singles and five pairs 

 constitute the regular medal contest. The medal to become the 

 personal property of any member winning the same three consecutive 

 times. It was won on the 11th by Mr. A. B. Critzer on the modest 

 score of 32, and the scores of all the members are a clear indication of 

 what 90 per cent, men at the rapid firing system will do when they face 

 unknown traps without practice. Score: 



Singles Doubles Tntal 



Critzer 24 8 32 



Texas Field 20 7 27 



Gloeckner 18 6 24 



Dreiss Jr 18 7 25 



George 20 8 28 



Olmesorge 20 7 27 



Arthur 19 6 25 



At the Lakeview grounds the members of the San Antonio Gun Club 

 were treated to a merchandise prize shoot at 20 singles and 5 pairs, 

 known traps, unknown angles, with the following result: 



First class: Black 23, Bresenbach 22, Epp 23, Kelley 26, McCormack 

 19, Vernor 26, Chabot 22, France 17, MeVicker 19, Paris 21, Thiele 20. 

 Rothwell 23, Veith 13, Adams 21. 



Second class: Shields 20, Learn 16, Witchell 17, Riellv 16, Fay 15, 

 Tendick 18, Wagenfnhr 20, Hice 17, Philips 22, Barber 15, Volbrechtl9, 

 Grossmann 11, Frank 18, Smith 10. 



The prizes were distributed in the following order: First class: 

 Silver flask, won by Vernor; lamp, second, won by Samuels; gun case, 

 third, won by Rothwell; hat, fourth, won by Chabot; pocket knife, 

 fifth, won by Paris. For second class: Silk umbrella, first prize, won 

 by Phillips; Shields won second prize, a shell case; Vollbrecht won 

 third, a pair hunting shoes; Vendickwon fourth, gold pen; Witchell 

 won fifth, jointed fishing rod. 



No. 2, 15 singles: Adams 13, France 10, Barber 5, Samuels 12, Chabot 

 11. McCormack 13, Vollbrecht 9, Paris 9, Philips 11, Rothwell 14, Shields 

 11, Learn 10, Tendick 13, Rielly 11, Kelley 13, Wagenfuhr 14, Fay 8, 

 Veith 12, Biesenbach 14, Vernor 14, Hice 10. 



No. 2, 10 singles and 2 pair; France 11, Learn 4, Shields 7, Vollbrecht 

 10, Adams 10, Tendick 9, Paris 9, McCormack 9, Black 10, Hice 6, Sam- 

 uels 10, Chabot 8, Philips 9, Biesenbach 10, Rothwell 10. 



No. 4, 15 singles: France 13, Adams 13, Rielly 11. Barber 6, Rothwell 

 9. Tendick 13, Grossmann 10, Paris 6, McCormack 7, Samuels 13, Black 

 15, Frank 11, Chabot 12, Biesenbach 11. O. G. 



Parkway Rod and Gun Club. 



The monthly shoot of the Parkway Rod and Gun Club at Dexter 

 Park on Wednesday of last week brought together the average attend- 

 ance of members and the usual crowd of spectators. The day was a 

 typical March day, the weather pleasant with a strong northwest 

 wind blowing across the grounds. As we have had previous occasion 

 to remark, the Parkway's day at Dexter Park brings extra prepara- 

 tions on the part of mine host Miller, for the Parkways are active and 

 numerous, circulation normal and their digestive organs generally in 

 good order. Mr. Miller's preparations on Wednesday were of the 

 order that brings satisfaction to both the patron and host. The birds 

 that went into the traps were mostly good, strong flyers, and made it 

 difficult for the gunners to put up clean scores. In fact, only one of 

 the fifteen men engaged in the club event at 7 birds killed all of his 

 birds. This honor fell to Henry Bramwell, one of the Class B men. 

 He was later in the day decorated by President Bookman with the club 

 trophy. The three prizes donated by the club for the best score in 

 each class on this occasion consisted of three sets of knives and forks 

 (silver). The prize for Class A was won by Jim Bennett, who killed 6 

 of his 7 birds. Lew Helgans was second with 5. The Class B prize 

 went to Henry Bramwell, along with the club trophy on the score of 

 7 kills; Jas. Link was second with 6. 



Sweep lor shotgun, 5 birds, $2: 



C M Meyer 20222—4 Bookman 22120—4 



W R Selover 11000—2 J B Kay 12220-4 



J Young 2010w. Wooley 01002—1 



Edgerton 11110—4 Bramwell 11112—5 



Bennett 01122—4 Helgans 12112—5 



H Selover 22001—3 Martin 1202 w. 



Club handicap, 7 birds: 



Class A - -28yds 



C M Meyer 2021002—4 Lee Helgans 2222200—5 



J Bennett 1111022—6 



Class B — 25yds. 



H Bramwell 2112121-7 T Short 1221070-5 



H Bookman 0000020- 1 W R Selover 2122210-6 



T Edgerton 1012000-3 H Lemire 0112201—5 



J Link 2122101—6 



Class C— 21yds. 



C Wissel 1010112-5 J Young 2120212—6 



J Wooley 1120101—5 J B Knowlson 1101121—6 



H Selover 0211211—6 



Interstate Bates. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The sixth tournament of the Interstate Manufacturers' and Dealers' 

 Association will be given at Elwood, Ind., June 27 and 28, under the 

 auspices of the Elwood Gun Club. The Elwood Gun Club will add 

 $200 in cash to the purses. 



The seventh tournament will be given at Louisville, Ky., July 18 and 

 19, under the auspices of the Kentucky Gun Club, of Louisville. The 

 Kentucky Gun Club will add from $200 to $400 to the purses. 



Elmer E. Shaner, Manager I. M. and D. A. 



Arkansas State Sportsmen's Association. 



Hot Springs, Ark., March 13. — Editor Forest and Stream: I con- 

 tinue to receive letters from shooters all over the country inquiring 

 about our tournament, and it is safe to say that the fourth annual 

 tournament of the Arkansas State. Sportsmen's Association will be a 

 grand success. Recent advices from Ft. Smith are to the effect that 

 the Igl.OOO added money is a certainty and they are making prepara- 

 tions already lor a big crowd. J. J. Si'mpter, Jr., Sec'y. 



Boiling 1 Springs Monthly. 



Rutherford, N. J. March 14.— Inclosed please find scores made at 

 our monthly live bird shoot. 



Sweep No. 1, 15 singles, $1: Carlos 10, Simpson 7, Van Dyke 12, 

 Lenone 11, Mackey 9, Paul 8, Richmond 13, McAlpin 12, Elliott 15, 

 Hobart 12, Huck 12, Lindsley 10. 



Sweep No. 2, 10 birds, 50 cents: Lenone 9, Carlos 4, Paul 7, Mackey 

 7, Van Dyke 10, Richmond 7, Simpson 7, Elliott 9, McAlpin 4, Frank 6. 



Sweep No. 3, expert rules, 50 cents: Elliott 6, Simpson 6, Hobart 6, 

 Lindsley 6, McAlpin 6, Lenone 8, Paul 7, Carlos 6, Geofrey 6, Abbott 8, 

 Wellock 1. 



Sweep No. 4, 25 singles, $1: Lenone 17, Abbott 17, McAlpin 23, 

 Paul 24. 

 Seven live birds: 



Lenone 0001010—2 Loomis 1102122—6 



Greiff 2011021—5 James , . . .0111222— 6 



Mackey 2210111—6 Dill 2200010—3 



Collins 1120100—4 Hobart 1201210—5 



McAlpin 2112222—7 Elliott 2112212—7 



Van Dyke 1102111—6 Simpson..., 1122212—7 



Richmond 2200221-5 Lindsley... 2222222—7 



Carlos 1110002—4 Paul 000121L-1 



Sweep, 3 birds, $3: 



Lenone 001—1 Loomis 111—3 



Greiff 201-2 James 211-3 



Mackey 220—2 Dill 112-3 



Collins 110-2 Hobart 212-3 



Mc A lpine 211—3 Elliott 211-3 



Van Dyke 112—3 Simpson 111—3 



Redmond 222—3 Lindsley 222-3 



Carlos 110—2 



Match between Lenone and Van Dyke, 25 birds, $25: Lenone 6, Van 

 Dyke 17. 



Sweep No. 5, 10 singles, 50 cents: 



McAlpin 1101111011-8 Paul 1111101110-8 



Lenone 0110011101—6 Abbott 1111110101—8 



Lindsley 1100001101—5 Huck 1111100111—8 



Sweep No. 6, 25 singles, $1: 



McAlpin 1111110111111110111111111-23 



Lenone 0111011110011111101111100—18 



Paul ..1111111111100111111111101— 21 



Abbott 1111111011011101110101101—18 



Sweep No. 7, 25 singles, $1: 



McAlpin 1111111111111110110111111—23 



Lenone 0111101010111011100110111—17 



Abbott. 1111010100111110111111101—19 



Paul 1100111001111010011111101-17 



Hartford. 



The good weather of March 10 brought out a fair attendance at the 

 medal shoot. Following are the scores at 25 targets thrown from five 

 traps: 



Purington 1011100001111110110111101—17 



Hall 1101111110000000111101001—14 



Melrose - 1101101011101111111111101—20 



Risley 1011111111111111111111111—24 



Tucker 0111101100111101101100110-16 



Sexton 0011111011111011110110101-18 



Pitkin 0101011100111110100100111—15 



Hotchkiss 0111111111101101111111111—22 



Olmsted 0111110111100111111111110—20 



Colt 0110101011000100011101001—12 



Cook 1111111111101111111111111—24 



Alger 1001010111110010111001010-14 



White 0110001111111011111101111—19 



•Villey 1111111111111111111111011—24 



Williamson 1111110111111111111111110—23 



W Hills 0101001111111111111111011—20 



Manross , 1111111111111111110111111—24 



Collins 1111011010111101011001100—16 



Douglass 1111101111110111111110111—22 



O B Treat 1111100111111011011111111—21 



Vibberts 1111111101011111111111110-22 



O Treat 1111111111111011111101111—23 



Geisleman 1101111111111011110011010—19 



Cook, Sec'y. 



Morfey Outshoots Coulston. 



A match at 50 live birds each for $50 a side, loser to pay for the 

 birds, took place at Woodlawn Park, L. I., on Saturday, March 17, the 

 principals being T. W. Morfey of Paterson and Geo. W. Coulston of 

 Brooklyn. The day was delightful and the birds fairly good. Morfey 

 was in great fettle and shot his opponent out in the third quarter. 

 John L. Brewer was referee. The scores: 



Morfey 1 120120121221222212222122—23 



20111102221221.2.21122211-21 - 44 



Coulston 22021 2022221 1 122022OO0222—19 



002200220122200202002.1 01—13—32 



Jfmwerg to (^orresyondqnts 



No notice taken of anonymous communications 



C. M., Winchester, England.— I am a constant reader of Forest and 

 Stream, and seeing what you say Feb. 24 about the quantity of wild- 

 cats in Massachusetts, I should like very much to know whether they 

 could be hunted with hounds like a fox, or would they tree at once? 

 Ana. They would tree. 



F. C. A., Auburn, N. Y.— Will you kindly inform if spring duck 

 shooting is prohibited on Cayuga Lake and Seneca River? There has 

 been shooting there this spring, and if it is legal I want my share. 

 Ans. The law closes the season March 1 everywhere in the State 

 except on Long Island. See Game Laws in Brief. 



I. W. F., Roscoe.— Will you please inform me when the open season 

 on trout begins? Is there any local law affecting the trout season in 

 the counties of Sullivan, Delaware and Ulster? There are various 

 opinions expressed by the local fishermen here. It requires watchful- 

 ness to keep posted on the game and fish laws, owing to the constant 

 "tinkering" of our representatives at Albany. Ans. By the general 

 law the trout season will open on Long Island oh April 1, elsewhere in 

 the State on April 15. County supervisors' laws extend the opening 

 date to May 1 in Columbia and Madison. 



R. S , Madison, Wis.— Will you kindly inform me through your 

 columns whether 32in. barrels give better penetration when using 

 black powder than 30in. barrels on a 12-bore gun. Ans. For all prac- 

 tical purposes the difference in length mentioned would have very 

 little effect on the shooting. Many 30in. 12-bores will surpass 30in. 

 guns. With ordinary loads the penetration is about equal. The 



onger barrels, however, would have the advantage when increased 



oads were used. 



SAVE YOUR TROPHIES. 

 Writs for Our Illustrated Catalogui 



"HEADS AND HORNS." 



It gives directions for preparing and preserving 

 Skins. Antlers, etc. Also prices for Heads and 

 tiuga, Birds and Fish, and all kinds of work In Taxi- 

 dermy. 



WARD'S NATURAL SGIENGE ESTABLISHMENT, 



ROCHESTER, N. Y. 



For Seasons 



for all Fish and Came 



and other points of Fish and Game laws consult the 

 Game Laws in Brief, which is sold by all dealers or 

 sent by ForeBt and Stream Pub. Co. Price 25 cents. 

 Covers the whole country. Is reliable and has 25 

 half-tone pictures. 



It will give us great pleasure to forward a copy of our catalogue to any 

 one who "goes a-fishing." Some people charge for their catalogues, some 

 charge for the postage, some charge for both. We are more than willing to 

 give away our catalogues and prepay postage on them. No angler, after 

 looking at the catalogue, can resist buying from us or from our trade- 

 customers all the fishing-tackle he can afford to pay for. That is where we 

 get back a good deal more than cost of catalogue and postage. 



ABBEY & IMBRIE, 



18 Vesey Street, New York Cm 



