FOREST AND STREAM 
319 
THE KICKING GUN. 
When in the field gunning, the remark is too 
often heard, “my gun kicks.” To such my own 
invariable reply has been, “it is not the gun’s 
fault but in its being improperly loaded.” This 
is something which the writer, now a retired 
sportsman, long since learned by practical ex¬ 
perience, and many a sore arm after a day’s 
shooting, from the recoil of his gun. Few well- 
made guns, when clean and in good order, will 
perceptibly recoil if properly loaded, and the 
explanation is simply this: that the quantity of 
powder used and the weight of the shot in the 
charge, together with the size of grain in the 
powder, should always be studiously calculated 
and the proportions adjusted and measured 
against the weight of the gun, be that seven or 
eight, or more pounds, and whether one is after 
quail, snipe, chickens or ducks. 
I carefully practised this until I was often un¬ 
able to tell, so far as any recoil was felt, whether 
my piece had “gone off” or not. The remedy is 
primarily in the hands of the dealer in ammuni¬ 
tion and the salesman, and who should make it 
their duty to first know themselves and, after 
being informed of the weight of his own gun, 
be able to inform and explain it to any buyer, 
and particularly the beginner, as does the phy¬ 
sician, who first says, “Let me feel your pulse.” 
Generally speaking, too much shot is put into a 
charge in proportion to the pozvder. 
It is seldom that it is the gun, but rather the 
man who loads and shoots it, who is responsible 
for the recoiling. D. M. E. 
THE PROPER TRAP GUN. 
This question can be answered simply when 
it comes to gauge but otherwise it is not so 
easily taken care of. Of course, 12 is the only 
gauge, and the barrels must be full choke. The 
principal thing is the fit of the gun. It never 
is a question of the cost of the gun. For in¬ 
stance, the Durston Special, made by LeFever 
Arms Co., and shot by “Dusty” Durston, one of 
the best aerosaucer breakers in this country, and 
costing only $25, will get the birds for you—if 
you hold on ’em. It is impossible to tell you 
how far to lead a target—there may be some 
psychology in this but it is mostly going ahead. 
No one will question the efficiency of the auto¬ 
matic as a buster of mud discs. Only in your 
first duck shooting trip with an automatic do not 
expect to do much business, for a new man with 
an automatic—even though he be a fine shot 
with pump or double—will fall down hard with 
the automatic on his first day, and—I have proved 
this on a bet with Remington automatic—they 
call it a self-loader, but it is the same thing. If 
you want a booklet telling “How to Trap Shoot,” 
write Du Pont for a copy of Ed. Banks’ book, 
“The Sport Alluring.” No charge but some 
results. Right here we will answer another 
question, which is, whether more targets can be 
broken with eight than with seven and a half 
shot. Aside from holding on, the problem re¬ 
solves itself into the fact that there are more 
pellets in a load of eights than in seven and a 
halves, but they do not shoot so hard; the ve¬ 
locity is imperceptible and the number of shot 
only ten to the load. My personal preference 
is for the seventy-thirty. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I have been a reader of Forest and Stream for 
thirty-one years and could hardly practice medi¬ 
cine without it. C. W. BRAY 
PARKER BROS., Meriden, Conn. 
NEW YORK SALES ROOMS, 32 WARREN STREET 
(Send for Free Booklet About Small Bore Guns) 
The “PFLUEGER - REDIFOR” 
Anti-Back-Lash Casting Reel 
NO WIRES TO FRAY THE LINE 
makes casting a real pleasure for beginners as well as experts It 
cannot break or get out of order and requires no adjustment. 
Automatic Thumbers, attached to the flange of the spool enclosed 
within the reel, free from all dirt and possibility of damage, thumb 
the rf? 1 mechanically, retarding the spool as the bait slows down. 
This reel is made of best German Silver, satin finish has 
genuine Scarlet Agate Jewels, balanced crank, fluted Pyralin 
Amber Handle, with Phosphor Bronze Bearing, and adjustable 
front sliding click and drag. 
This reel will hold from 60 to 100 yards according to size of line 
used. Price, <£7 cn (Fully guaranteed against defects of all 
q>l ■*'" kinds for all time.) 
If your dealer does not carry this reel, we will send it postage 
prepaid on receipt of price. 
THE ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURING COMPANY 
Akron Fishing Tackle Works, Successors to The American Fish Hook Co., 
AKRON, OHIO, U. S. A. 
ESTABLISHED 1864. 
The 
“Old Reliable” PARKER GUN 
We Specialize on 20 and 28-bore Guns 
Try a 20-bore PARKER Gun if you wish 
to truly enjoy shooting. They are light, 
handy, and powerful shooting little guns. 
Just the thing for ladies’ use, and for those 
who wish the maximum of pleasure in 
shooting, coupled with the minimum weight 
to be carried afield. 
FISHING AND 
UTFITS 
I have completed a revised edition of our catalog and want to send 
a copy to everyone who is interested in outdoor life, whether 
for health or recreation. I call it a 
SPORTMAN’S HANDBOOK 
for it not only illustrates and describes the many things an outer- 
man or woman needs but tells of my personal experiences in the 
wilds when camping, fishing and hunting, with advice as to equip¬ 
ment and many “ kinks” in wildcraft. 
SEND FOR THIS CATALOG 
I*■ te ^s °f l ^ e goods we supply the camper, the angler, the hunter and 
all who enjoy base-ball, golf, tennis or in fact, any game or pastime. 
Every article is reasonably priced and sold with the distinct un¬ 
derstanding that the money you pay is yours until you are satisfied. 
This 472 page book will be sent you free if you mention No. 625 
PRESIDENT 
NEW YORK SPORTING GOODS CO. 
15 and 17 Warren Street, New York 
