380 
Observations on Shooting Apparatus. 
[Dec. 
as well, or better, for a single bird, at 4ft or 50 yards’ distance, than the other 
would at 100 yards ; the advantage of vei*y large bored guns being confined to 
firing at numbers of fowl together. Hence we may conclude, that the smaller the 
bore the better, so that it will carry a sufficient charge of shot without too much 
recoil ; but a small calibre leads and gets foul much sooner, and is more liable to 
burst than a large one, in the common way of loading: objections, however, which 
are entirely obviated by the new charges here ivcorn mended, which the writer 
considers as a peculiar advantage. 
Secondly. Whether fliere should be any deviation from a cylinder is still doubt- 
ful in some respects ; though the majority of gun-makers and others have approved 
of the slightest possible, and a very gradual enlargement from about the middle of 
the barrel to the breech, and a similar one from the middle to the muzzle, liable 
to some little variation, according to different opinions as to the part most pro- 
per for the contraction thus occasioned, and to the exact degree of opening or re- 
lief ; but as this variation from the true cylinder is in general scarcely perceptible, 
and as there are many who prefer the cylinder, we may safely conclude the differ- 
ence to be of not much importance in respect of the average shooting of the gun: 
for so infinitely varied are the results of trials at a mark, with even the same gun, 
and the same charge, that it seems almost impossible to arrive at any accurate 
conclusions, as to the difference in this or that system of boring, &c. But, in re- 
gard to safety, it is obvious, that should the contraction be too great, it might occa- 
sion a liability of bursting the barrel ; and that any kind of opening in the lower 
part, is also more liable to occasion the same accident than a cylinder, because 
either a wadding or a cartridge, after passing the tighter part, cannot be so secure 
of fitting close when down, as if it had not to pass through any smaller part than 
where it is to remain : for, if it would expand by ramming well, even that trifling 
operation might happen to be omitted in the hurry of sport. 
Thirdly. Length of barrel unquestionably increases the range of the shot, but 
in so trifling a degree, from a barrel of two feet to one of three or four feet, that, 
after all, it seems a mere matter of choice, and principally relates to the propor- 
tionable appearance of the gun : as to any length between the two extremes, length 
of barrel may, perhaps, afford some little advantage to a show shooter, but for the 
modern great quickness of action it must prove rather disadvantageous than other- 
wise. 
Fourthly. With respect to the size of shot, the writer, having plucked and exa- 
mined many pigeons killed at measured distances, and made a table of particulars, 
can confidently say, that No. 8 has (and of course will) with the wire-cartridge, 
in many instances, broken the thick hone of the wing' anti leg, or gone entirely 
through the thickest part of the body at 55 yards ; and is thence led to conclude, 
that No. 8 is sufficient for auy game, with equal measures of powder and shot, the 
shot being made into the cartridges, which will be presently described : but No. 6, 
which seems to be generally adopted, cannot perhaps be improved upon. As to 
the proportions, equal measures may be considered as the proper standard ; and 
any material deviations therefrom is merely fanciful ; the measure being regulat- 
ed by the recoil, so that it is just felt without being disagreeably sharp. 
Fifthly. Of wadding there is so great a variety as to puzzle the choice by the 
various recommendations ; the common mill-board, however, certainly answers 
every purpose wadding can effect as to the shooting of a gun ; but if any other 
sort does, as stated, either keep the charge more securely in its place, or prevent 
the leading and fouling of the barrel ; it must be a very great advantage with loose 
shot ; hut as the cartridges to be described here effect every thing possibly requir- 
ed in these respects, the writer considers it needless to add any thing under this 
head. 
Sixthly. The fouling of the barrel is perhaps one of the most important consi- 
deiations belonging to shooting; it must obviously alter the form of the bore, and 
is altogether highly disadvantageous and dangerous. It, therefore, appears a most 
t csiiable object to load in a manner to do away with leading and fouling altogether, 
J.y! ra . cticab,e > b y an y convenient means calculated for general adoption and utility* 
his is the writer’s object in the new cartridge, the stated merits of which, as it 
may >e so easily tried, will probably be speedily either generally known and ac- 
knowledged, or disproved. J 
tri l!r Ven ]^^* .^bibbing or balling is supposed, by many, to occur only with car- 
)u * a luos t dangerous mistake ; and those who consider that they 
. »e confidently without any regard to the position of their friends at any con- 
c stance with loose shot are in danger— certainly a very remote one we 
