V One of the requirements of a good cartridge is the use of a first-class wad or wadding, particularly over the powder; and to protect powder from the injurious effects of contact with a chemically prepared or greased felt it is advisable first to place over the powder a cardboard wad, or waterproof wad if preferred, of the exact size of the internal diameter of the shell and over this wad one or more felt wads one size larger than the bore. Good results are attainable in different guns with several methods of using wadding, and this can be ascertained by experiment some preferring to use one cardboard and tveo felt wads over powder, and others one felt between two cardboard wads. It is a question, however, whether the cardboard on top of felt wads is of any benefit. All that is necessary is to establish a complete gas-check by good wadding of some kind, made of a close, firm texture that will not per mit. gas front the powder charge to get to the shot. Over the shot it is con sidered better to use a material that will easily crumble to pieces. To hold this top wad in place, the shell should be carefully and evenly crimped down on the wad.
There is just as much depending upon the uniformity and perfection of the crimping of a paper shell to produce accuracy and regularity in the shooting ;1 there is intuit ativ one feature in making perfect ammunition. To perform this correctly the Ideal Manufacturing Company's Star Crimper, shown in the drawing, is used. It works positively on a straight line and permits of interchangeable heads, followers and pins, and that will turn both the square and round crimp. Only one Star frame is required for io, 12, 14, 16 and 20 gauge shells. The square crimp is preferred by users of single and double barreled shotguns, as that form is said to meet the expelling force of the powder with greater resistance, not straightening out as easily as the round crimp. The users of the repeating shot guns, however, find that the square crimp will at times catch on entering the cham ber, when being inserted by the mechanism, therefore the round crimp is required to obviate that trouble. Uniformity is the one thing desirable in cartridges. Without it there cannot be accuracy. There must be a uniform charge of powder and shot; there also must be a uniformity of wadding and ramming; and lastly, though not the least, there must be uniformity in the crimp and the pressure brought to bear upon it A difference in conditions must naturally bring about a difference in results. Uniform and regular shooting cannot be insured unless there is uniformity and regularity in loading the shells. Many have an idea that to get !strong shooting the whole charge must be rammed very snugly, and the powder, ?shot and wadding forced extra solidly and crimped as snugly as it is possible to force the loaded shell up against the crimping head, the shortness of the lever on the crimping tool only preventing the cartridge from being crushed.
An excellent implement for loading shotgun shells has been lately invented.
It is a very compact, complete and perfect working combination of instruments, •arranged in such a manner that each part can be operated for its specific work withoutcausing any inconvenience from the others, so frequently found in com bination tools. It is four distinct implements in one, viz.: a de-capper, re-capper, hammer and shell extractor, so arranged as not to be any larger than a common rammer.
The Ideal diamond crimper, the successor to the well-known Spangler closer, has frames, cranks and levers made of semi-steel castings. The lever is furnished with a pivotal crucible steel grip, making it a practical straight line feed for standard lengr,th of shells. The improved crimping-head permits the use of interchangeable pins. to form the square and round crimp. Sportsmen who use a sing,le-shot rifle and do not desire to crimp their shells. but seat the bul lets in the barrel in advance of the shell. will Ind the Ideal re- and de-capper a most handy tool. It opens on the side. The die "A" rests upon !I. perfectly machined scat. and is held in place with the screw "C." The de-capping plug "B" is also interchangeable. being securely held by the knurled set screw "C." Re-capping dies and de-capping plugs for any caliber from .22 tO .5o can be furnished to fit the same tool. The levers are polished and nickel-plated. 1 The implement weights complete bin five ounces. The Ideal "straight-line" re and de-capper will de-cap and re-cap all shot-gun shells with a central fire hole, I brass or paper. domestic or foreign make, whatever the inside shape may be, high or low base. It will seat anv and all sizes and shapes of primers, straight in the pocket of the shell, positively all the same depth, without concaving the head, or disturbing; the fulminate, which causes miss-fires.
The "Common Sense" re- and de-capper made by the Bridgeport Gun Implement Coinpany has a wide reputation. It is a combination to and 12 gauge, and will re-cap and de-cap any of the new high grade paper shells of any make. After inserting the bushing for 12-gauge shells, bend the ends slightly to prevent coming out when withdrawing the shell. It has been so constructed that the needle adjusts itself to whatever shell the sportsman may desire to extract the printer from. If the needle needs to be long for one shell, or short for another, this length is regulated automatically without any adjustment by the user. The needle being protected by a movable sleeve adapts itself to the desired h.-ngth required for extracting a primer the mo ment pressure is brought upon it. It is so protected by this movable sleev that there is no danger of breaking, the needle, as would be the case on any cvl the old style dv-cappers should one attempt to take off a primer requiring- a short needle with an extracting, needle that was too long. This movable sleeve, or holder is supported by a spiral spring, which enables it to adjust itself to the different lengths of shells and depth of primer pockets automatically.