MIX= SHOT.
One ounce of No. 4, 5, 6, common shot, contains 232 Charge for ditto 434 One ounce of patent ditto, No. 4, 5, 6 263 Charge for ditto 493 Difference 59 grains.
One ounce of No. 5, 6, and 7, com mon shot, contains . . . 297 Charge for ditto 582 One ounce of patent, No. 5, 6, 7 330 Charge for ditto 599 Difference 17 grains." Our readers connot fail to perceive, that the word "charge" is, in the above case, purely arbitrary : we necessarily conclude that Mr. Daniel found such answer well for the double barrel gun which he used : which might be of a large, or of a small bore. Taking the average, we compute his charges to weigh about 9 or 10 to the pound ; and this we may, perhaps, find to be tolerably correct, as a standard on common occa sions; since it is found, in general, that a bag of shot, weighing a quarter, i. e. 28 pounds, will make about 260 charges.
Mr. Daniel continues as follows : "The smallest shot above mentioned, (i. e. No. 7.) will kill at forty yards ; the velocity of a charge of No. 7 being equal to one of No. 3, at that distance ; and since small shot fly thicker than large in proportion to size, and as there are many parts about the body of a bird, wherein a pellet of No. 7 will affect its vitality equal to a pellet of No. 2, the chances for using the former are multiplied in the marks man's favour ; for it is the number and not the magnitude of the particles, that kills on the spot. If sportsmen would be persuaded to use No. 5 and 6 in grouse and patridge, and No. 7 in woodcock shooting, instead of No. 3 and 4, and No. 4 and .5 for black game and pheasants, instead of No. 2 and 3, they would bring home one-third more game, and not de stroy one bird more than usual. They who prefer large shot, and accustom themselves to fire at great distances, leave nearly as many languishing in the field, as immediately fall; whereas those that use small shot, and shoot fair, fill their bag, with little spoil or waste, be yond what they take with them from the field." We derive much satisfaction from the support of so respectable an authority, and from the assurance of another veteran in ornithologic devastation, who assures us, that for upwards of twenty years he never used any shot for field sport above the size of No. 6, with which he has kill ed bustards and deer ; the same authority further states, that for the ordinary birds of small game, such as snipes and quail, No. 8 was always found perfectly ade quate. For geese, and in general for ducks, it was his constant practice to load with No. 2 or 3, according to the expanse of water. We are likewise indebted to the same authority for a kind of standard, by which sportsmen in general may be guided with propriety ; which serves, at the same time, to supply the deficiency prevailing in all publications on this sub ject.
" Many persons are unable to estimate the proper charges of powder and shot for their respective pieces : it is true, some authors tell us to be guided by the weight of the ball ; but it often happens, that a ball is not at hand ; and, when ob tained, unless it fits exactly, and is per fectly spherical, will not determine the true dimensions of the bore. I have al
ways found that, with the best powder, a charge equal to a diameter and a half of the bore was the best, that is, the most efficient quantity ; that it impelled an equal quantity of shot with great force ; and that without causing too great a re coil. Thus, if the bore were six-eighths of in inch, the load of powder, poured loose ly into the piece, should raise the ram rod nine-eighths of an inch ; or one inch and one-eighth. The wadding should be of thick leather or felt (1. e. old hat) cut out with a machine ; that should be ram med down firmly, htit not so as to bruise the grains of powder. Then put in the same measure of shot as you did of pow der, and ram it down rather moderately, after covering with a second wadding as above. Observe, that shot will spread more or less in proportion to the force with which it is rammed down ; the more it is rammed, the less it will diverge. The above mode of charging will cause the charge in a piece of three quarters of an inch bore to occupy a depth of full two inches and a half in depth. Some, who have a great predilection for large charges, may smile at the above quantity, which has, however, answered admirably with me, and will be found, under fair and repeated experiments, to be the most killing charge than can be used. But I must remark, that, owing to some fault in the construction, and especially if the vent be placed at all beyond the bottom of the barrel, some guns will recoil se verely, even with the above moderate charge. When such is the case, I should recommend that the piece be chamber ed." The foregoing perpicuous mode of charging appears so reasonable, and is founded on so regular a computation, that we feel a confidence in urging all sports men to give it a fair trial ; it is obvious ly moderate ; therefore, may be consider ed as devoid of danger. Upon that prin ciple we could expatiate, at great length, regarding the highly culpable practice of carrying a piece full-cocked ; also of letting it swing in such a direction as might cause the charge, in case of accident, to wound any person in the field. The muzzle ought always to be carried above the shoulder ; and, in general, it ought to be the endea vour of every sportsman to avoid every liability to endan6:-r either himself, or any other person. However inconveni ent stop locks may prove on some occa sions, they nevertheless have the great recommendation of being on the safe side of the question : when a gun is put by in a situation accessible to other per sons, even when unloaded, it ought to have the lock stopped, to prevent its be. ing injured ; but when a piece is loaded, which should never be the case, except under very pressing circumstances, due care ought to be taken to prevent its being in the hands of children, or of any but those for whose use it may be intend ed.