To the Editor of the "Nortu-Cuina Darty News."
Sir,—Here are a few hints for the friend of Mr. Query.
The shots are numbered according to their si; A No i shot is bigger than a No. 6 shot. The bigger the shot the more striking power it has, and the farther it shoots.
The use of shots depends upon the kind of the game, the distance, weather, season, position of the game, gun, cartridge, calibre, etc., with a 12 bore.
For geese:—At 30 yards, use No. 2 shot. From 30 to 50 yards, BB shot.
For small deer:—At 15 yards, use No, 2 30-40 yards No. BB, when over 40 use buckshot. From 75 yards on, a rifle is necessary.
25-20, a 22 Hi-power.
For ducks:—At 30 yards, use 4 and 6; from 40 yards No. 2. At 50 to 63, BB shot.
For hare:—At 15 yards, use No. 6...25-35 yards, No. 4. At 40, No. a For pheasants:+25 yards, use 6: 30-35, use 4: 40 to 50, No. 2.
Snipes:—First shot, use No. 10, second shot, No. 8.
Those shot are of English size, which is about a number smaller than the French, American or German shot. A No. 7} American is nearly equivalent to a 6 English.
An ordinary cartridge of No. 6 shot, at 30 yards, should give a 30 in. pattern. The gun must be of choke-bore, and a 12 cal. The more the gun is choked, the closer are thy shots The smaller the shot, the bigger the pattern. A No. 1 shot must give about 22 in. pattern at 30 yards, a No. 8 at the same distance, should give approximatively 45 in. pattern with a 12 cal. 28 in. barrel, ordinary choke.
A good cartridge of 12 bore, with full charge, and well loaded with three's, fired from a strong double-barrel, 28 or 30 in. long and full choke, will knock down any small deer, geese, etc., at 35- 45 yards.
I am, ete., J. Devaa.
PS. When shooting pheasants and hares, load the gun with 4 left barrel, 6 right barrel. For geese, ducks, plovers, ete., use 4, 2, and BB.
J. D.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.