Nov. 23, 1912 
FOREST AND STREAM 
671 
RECOIL AND RECOIL RESULTS. 
There is no doubt that the recoil, or 
“kick,” of a gun is due entirely to the method 
of loading used, and to the amount and weight 
of shot, says a writer in the Shooting Times. It 
can be easily understood, if one will but con¬ 
sider a little, what a loaded gun really is. The 
gun is a means to utilize the force exerted by 
the expansion of gases set free on the ignition 
of the powder; and the explosive force is placed 
between two confining obstructions—that is, be¬ 
tween the breech of the gun, as may be con¬ 
sidered the most nearly immovable obstruction, 
and the charge of shot. Now, the gases set 
free by explosion set up a momentary pressure 
in every direction within- the breech chambers of 
the gun of some 15 tons per square inch, more 
or less; and, of course, the obstruction of least 
capacity to hold its own (that is, the movable 
charge of shot) gives way first, and the pressure 
within the gun is relieved. But, the pressure 
being exerted in every direction, there is a 
backward blow (so to speak) on the breech of 
gun, and this blow is the “kick,” which causes 
the shoulder-ache and swollen middle fingers. 
The writer well knows these latter symptoms. 
But the action of these forces is easily under¬ 
stood. If the gun can be held so that no 
movement is possible, the force applied to shot 
is, of course, increased, as there is no loss due 
to recoil or the giving way on the part of the 
gun. But in shotguns or rifles fired from the 
shoulder it is not possible so to hold the gun 
that there is no loss of power to drive out the 
shot, as man’s body is not a rigid structure; 
and. therefore, if the gun is overcharged there 
must be a great increase in the “kick.” If the 
gun is so charged that the shot is immovable, 
the gun bursts, as is not uncommon in the 
hands of ignorant people. As some of your 
correspondents suggest, moderate and well-pro¬ 
portioned charges of powder and shot will pro¬ 
duce the best results; overcharge of either only 
causes disaster. Too much powder or too light 
shot charge produces a loss of power, as some 
of the powder is driven out of the gun in an 
unburned condition. This, of course, is not 
easily noticed in shooting game; but in larger 
guns, like those used on board ship, if the 
powder is not burned within the gun I have 
often seen the grains passing through the air 
lighting or blazing; and I have often watched 
the course of the shot through the air from be¬ 
hind the big gun. It sometimes looks like a 
cricket-ball in its flight. But I have never 
been able to see the gunshot from cartridge 
leave the muzzle, as perhaps it is too small to 
attract notice. Perhaps some one of your 
shooting correspondents may have noticed the 
flight of the shot through the air as I have de¬ 
scribed. To sum up, the explosion of powder 
charge between the breech and the cartridge 
produces the “kick” and the flight of the shot. 
Now, suppose an irresistible force were to meet 
.an immovable obstruction, what would be the 
result? 
LAST OF THE TEXAS LONG HORNS. 
The most perfect and practically the last 
survivor of the breed of cattle that made Texas 
famous is the property of the “Mule Shoe” 
Ranch. Burnet, Tex. 
His equal does not exist in the State. It is 
conceded that he has the most perfect horns of 
any animal now living in the State. The horns 
are fully three and one-half feet long. They are 
absolutely uniform in length, curvature and 
angle of divergence from the head. He is 
twenty-two years old and is sixteen hands high. 
Mr. Greene, the owner of Mule Shoe Ranch, is 
one of the old line cattlemen of Texas. He 
made a fortune in raising and selling the old 
long horns.—From the Indiana Farmer. 
An American gentleman one evening at din¬ 
ner happened to get a hair in his soup, and, rais¬ 
ing it on his spoon, said to the waiter: “Pat, is 
this an Irish hair (hare) ?” 
“Begor it is, sir, said Pat, “but it took an 
American hound to catch him.” 
PARKER GUNS 
Wear Well, Shoot Well and Handle Well 
Wear well because they are made of the best material by the most skillful craftsmen. 
Shoot well because they hold the charge compactly together at extreme ranges. 
Handle well because the greatest attention has always been paid to the distribution 
of wood and metal, to insure perfect balance and the most symmetrical outline. 
Twenty-bore Parkers have set the pace for small bores in America, and are growing 
in popularity every year with the most progressive sportsmen. 
For further information regarding guns in gauges ranging from 8 to 28, address 
PARKER BROS. Meriden, Conn. 
New York Salesrooms, 32 Warren Street 
New 
Model 
27 
Repeating 
Rifle 
The only gun that fills the demand 
for a trombone (“pump”) action 
repeater in .25-20 and 
.32-20 calibers. 
Shoots 
high ve¬ 
locity smoke¬ 
less cartridges, 
also black and low pres- 
sure smokeless. Power¬ 
ful enough for deer, safe to use in 
settled districts, excellent for target 
work, for foxes, geese, woodchucks, etc. 
Its exclusive features : the quick, smooth working "pump” action ; 
the wear-resisting Special Smokeless Steel barrel; the modern 
solid-top and side ejector for rapid, accurate firing, increased safety 
and convenience. It has take down construction and Ioory Bead 
front sight; these cost extra on other rifles of these calibers. 
Our 136 page catalog describes the full 772ar/i/l 
line. Sent for three stamps postage. Write for it. 
7/e 27Zar//n/firearms Co. 
27 WILLOW STREET, - NEW HAVEN, CONN. 
/^LEAR VISION means a sure shot. The bright rays of the sun, or the haze ofa 
^ dark day can’t affect your vision if you wear KING’S SHOOTING GLASSES. 
Made of Akopos Crystal, our exclusive product and infinitely superior to amber. 
Non-magnifying. Postpaid, $1.50 to $7.00. Prescriptions ground to order. 
The KING and the KING-BUSCH-STELLUX Binoculars have wonderful magnify¬ 
ing power, are handsomely finished, durable and scientifically correct. Endorsed by 
the leading sportsmen of America. You save $10 to $25 buying direct from us. 
Write to-day for Booklet and Prices 
THE F. W. KING OPTICAL CO. Cleveland. Ohio 
“Six fop a Quarter” 
To introduce Forest and Stream to new friends 
we are prepared to send it for six weeks’ trial 
subscription for 25 cts. If you do not know our 
magazine, or if you want to introduce us to some 
friend, send us your quarter. 
FOREST & STREAM. 127 Franklin St., New York. 
FOR ARCHERY SUPPLIES 
Write for Archery Catalogue. 
E. I. HORSMAN CO. 365 Broadway, N. Y. 
I 
Toils Co *jjxnr 
^t5P0BTSW(«$* v 
TkfHflJTMICMlt 1 
BtnutOOIlTMT H*J 
—'"ititniowcu 
Best Revolver 
and Gun Oil 
3 fOE 
^ Unless your revolver is in 
smooth working order when 
you want it, you will be likely to regret that fact 
as long as you live. N YOIL contains no acid, 
prevents rust, will not gum or chill. 
Put your weapon away in N YOIL and you 
can catch it up a year later in perfect con 
fidence. Ask any hardware or sporting 
goods dealer for NYOIL. Large 
bottle (cheaper to buy) 25c.; trial 
size, 10c. Take it with you when 
you go gunning , fishing, bi- f 
cycling, motoring. 
WM. F. NYE 
New Bedford, 
Mass, 
Ask your watch repairer whose Oil he is using on your watch. 
