FOREST AND STREAM 
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ABOUT THE GUN 
Conducted By Seneca. 
(In this department Seneca will be glad to answer queries from readers bearing on shot 
?guns, rifles, or ammunition. Do not hesitate to send in your questions. They will be 
■answered promptly, fully and as accurately as possible.) 
.LENGTH OF BARREL AND SHOOTING 
QUALITIES. 
What are the differences in the shoot¬ 
ing qualities of a twelve gauge gun with 
j2 6 inch barrels and one with 32 inch bar¬ 
rels? Do the longer barrels shoot harder 
-and give more penetration? 
J. W., Doniphan, Mo. 
Answer: The length of the barrels of 
the modern shot gun have little or noth¬ 
ing to do with its shooting qualities. 
Theoretically at least the gun with bar¬ 
rels just long enough to burn all of the 
powder would give the highest velocity, 
for after that is accomplished any fur¬ 
ther length of barrel^ simply increases the 
friction to the charge of shot. 
A charge of smokeless powder is 
•consumed in a barrel about 18 inches long 
and a gun barrel of that length would 
give the highest velocity with a suitable 
■charge. It would be very inconvenient, 
however, to use a gun with 18 inch bar¬ 
rels in the field, as they could not be 
aligned easily or accurately. The ten¬ 
dency would be to whip all over the hori¬ 
zon, while these longer barrels can be 
aligned more accurately. They are par¬ 
ticularly useful on crossing birds, as they 
swing into position with a steady, regular 
facility that is impossible with short 
barrels. 
A gun with 26 inch barrels excels for 
snapshooting in the brush. It can un¬ 
questionably be handled . more quickly 
The 32 inch barrel gun is superior for 
trap shooting or in the duck blind. The 
increased length of barrel permits of more 
accurate alignment.—Ed.] 
THE TWENTY GAUGE AS AN ALL 
ROUND GUN. 
What is your opinion of the twenty 
gauge as an all around game gun for par¬ 
tridges, quail and ducks? What length of 
barrels do you recommend and is it true 
that a twenty gauge will shoot harder than 
a twelve gauge? 
B. W. H., Chicago, Ill. 
Answer: The twenty gauge is a very 
tuseful and highly effective weapon. It 
does not carry as much shot as a twelve 
gauge, consequently has not as wide a kill¬ 
ing circle, and it requires more skill to kill 
game with a twenty gauge than it does 
with a twelve. The disparity in size of 
these guns is not, however, a true measure 
•of effectiveness. It is modified by the fact 
that it is easier to handle a twenty than a 
"twelve, and birds can be covered more 
•rapidly. Most small game is killed within 
fifteen or twenty yards and at these dis¬ 
tances the killing circle of the twenty ap¬ 
proximates the killing circle of the twelve 
much more closely than it does at longer 
ranges—that is to say, the greater power 
and effectiveness of the twelve is expressed 
at distances over thirty yards and not be¬ 
low it. The proper weight of a twenty 
gauge is from five to six pounds and 26 
or 28 inch barrels will properly proportion 
a weapon in this class. Some sportsmen 
recommend 20 gauges with barrels 32 and 
34 inches. Weapons of this kind can be 
aligned more perfectly, but in a way we 
consider them freakish, and as handy, all 
around weapons are undesirable. The 
regular factory loads for 20 gauges are 
better balanced and will yield more satis¬ 
factory results day in and day out than 
special freak loads that are frequently 
written up in the papers.—Ed.] 
BOLT OR LEVER ACTION ON BIG 
GAME RIFLES. 
I have had one side of an argument as 
to what influence the style of bolt of a 
rifle has upon its shooting qualities. A 
friend of mine claims that a bolt action 
rifle will shoot harder than one of the 
lever action type on the grounds that the 
latter, through a lack of rigidity in the 
breech, is less accurate and less powerful. 
M. M., St. Paul, Minn. 
Answer: This is a very old controversy 
and like most other prolonged arguments 
is groundless. The type of bolt or action 
used in modern rifles has absolutely no 
influence upon the bullet. The bolt action 
unquestionably is a sound, safe action, but 
the many thousands of lever action rifles 
that have been in use for years and which 
haye rendered the most efficient service un¬ 
der the most trying conditions is all the 
evidence that is necessary to prove the me¬ 
chanical soundness of the principles upon 
which it is constructed. The bolt action 
type is more easily operated while the sol¬ 
dier is lying flat on the ground. The lever 
action can be operated more rapidly by the 
majority of men. This has had a good deal 
to do with its popularity.—Ed.] 
THE LIMIT OF THE SMALL RltuE. 
This winter I shall take a trip through 
the Southwest in a motor car, camping on 
the way. I am fond of rifle shooting and 
very partial to the 22 calibre, but fear it 
is not heavy enough for the game I may 
meet. What calibre do you advise me to 
purchase that will be powerful enough for 
the game I am liable to come across; also, 
what length of barrel do you recommend 
and single shot or repeater? 
J. P. T., Rochester, N. Y. 
Answer: Your purposes will be filled 
splendidly by either the 25-20 or the 32-20. 
They are strong enough for all game 
smaller than deer and if properly held will 
account for them also. The question of 
single shot or repeater is entirely a matter 
of personal taste. As a rule the man who 
has only a single shot on call uses more 
care and in time will become a better shot 
at standing objects, but for quick snap¬ 
shooting the repeater affords a most ex¬ 
cellent schooling. Twenty-four inches is 
a long enough barrel and is much easier car¬ 
ried than one that is longer.—Ed.] 
(Continued on page 44.) 
The SPORTSMAN TOURIST 
Sportiest Nine Hole 
Golf Course in Florida 
—right in the midst of the big- 
game fishing waters; laid out by 
a sportsman under the direction 
of a famous professional. If you 
can, get down during one of the 
tournaments. 
At Tarpon Inn, you not only have 
the best of big-game fishing; but 
you also have the advantage of 
our private Golf Course, Tennis 
Courts, Boats, Fruit Groves and 
everything. Write now for booklet. 
TARPON INN 
Useppa Island, Lee County, Florida 
SOUTHERN HUNTING GROUNDS 
Northampton Hunting Lodge will open for 
guests November IS to March IS, 1916-1917. 
30,000 acres of fine hunting lands, comfortable 
house, with moden improvements; 40 miles 
from Charleston, S. C. Children and con¬ 
sumptives not taken. For further particulars 
write to 
P. R. Porcher Benneau, Berkeley Co., S. C. 
Best Duck and Goose Shooting 
Also Bay Bird Shooting 
For real sport and plenty of birds come down 
to Currituck Inlet. Miles and miles of marsh. 
The kind of point and pond shooting you have 
always wished for. Live decoys. Comfortable 
accommodations and good food. Another attrac-^ 
tion for the sportsman is good fox and coon hunt¬ 
ing. Write for full information and rates. 
L. R. WHITE, Jr., Prop. 
Sportsman Home Seagull, North Carolina 
NEW SPRUCE CABIN INN 
Finest location in Pocono Mountains. Shoot¬ 
ing season opens October 15th. Grouse or Phea¬ 
sant, and Woodcock, Squirrels, hare and rabbits 
in season. Rooms en suite and. with private 
bath; accommodations for families. Bowling, 
Pool, Tennis, Golf, Livery, Saddle Horses, 
Garage. Illustrated booklet. Inn closes Decem- 
W. J. & M. D. PRICE 
Canadensis, Pa. Cresco Station, D. L. & W. R.R. 
Sportsman’s Hotel in Florida 
For Sale 
Owing to the sudden death of the 
owner, the hotel at Homosassa, Florida, 
known as the RENDESVOUS, booked 
fully for the coming season and now 
open for guests. 
Extensive water front on the Homo¬ 
sassa River with 78 acres of land. For 
further particulars apply to 
MRS. T. D. BRIGGS, Homosassa. 
