A Self-Loading Shotgun in the Positions of the Action Open and Closed
How to Select a Shotgun
The Measurements are Taken of the Drop at the Comb and Heel, and of the Stock from the Butt to the Forward Trigger
That the shooter may not be handicapped by using a misfit gun, it is well to make a selection at one of the larger dealers’ where guns of various sizes, weights and lengths, as well as drops in stocks, may be tried until one is found that fits the gunner the best. A good shot can pick up almost any gun and do fairly accurate shooting with it, but he can do better work with a gun fitting him properly. The chief measurements of a gunstock are the length and drop of the stock, and the drop and shape of the comb. The ordinary thickness of the grip will suit the average hand, but in the case of unusually large or small hands, this must be taken into consideration. For the average man these measurements will probably be about right: Length of stock, from forward trigger to center of butt plate, A-A, 14 to 14¹⁄₂ in., drop at comb, B-B, 1¹⁄₂ to 1⁷⁄₈ in., which will give corresponding drop at the heel, C-C, from 2¹⁄₂ to 3 in. A fairly straight stock of good length may be reckoned an advantage for trap shooting, but for use in the field, a somewhat crooked stock with more drop at the comb, say, 1⁵⁄₈ in. with 2⁵⁄₈-in. drop at the heel, will more fully meet the average shooter’s idea of a well-balanced gun. However, as men differ, and there are as many faces and eyes as there are men, every shooter must decide this question for himself. So far as the circumference of the grip is concerned, the size of the shooter’s hand and the length of his fingers will decide this detail. For a small hand, a 7-in. grip is about right, while a grip of 7¹⁄₂ in. will probably fit the large hand well. The question of straight or pistol grip is purely a matter of personal taste, for one is as good as the other so far as accurate handling of the gun is concerned.
A Repeating Shotgun and the Position of Its Different Parts When Cocked and After Firing
The Gauge, or Size of Bore
The 10-gauge may be occasionally useful for long-range duck and goose shooting, but for ordinary duck and upland use the 12-gauge is plenty large enough. The larger the gauge the greater will be the killing zone, and up to their ranges the small bores may, for all practical purposes, be regarded as shooting quite as accurately and with as much power as the heavier gauges, that is, the small bores will shoot to kill if held correctly. The standard 12-gauge gun is fitted with 30-in. barrels, weighs 7 to 8 lb., and the standard load for the field is 3 dr. of powder and 1¹⁄₈ oz. of shot. This gives a killing range up to 40 yd. The standard 16-gauge, with 30-in. barrels, weighs from 6¹⁄₂ to 7¹⁄₄ lb., and the standard load is 2¹⁄₂ dr. of powder and 1 oz. of shot, with a killing range up to 35 yd. The standard 20-gauge, with 28-in. barrels, weighs from 5 to 6¹⁄₂ lb. and the standard load is 2¹⁄₄ dr. of powder and ⁷⁄₈ oz. of shot. Best killing range up to 30 yards.
For an all-purpose gun, suitable for wild fowling as well as upland shooting, the 12-gauge is the best choice although the 16-gauge will be found a hard-hitting weapon. For the good shot, the 20-gauge will prove a fine little arm for upland work, only the gunner must shoot well with the small bore to kill his bird clean. Contrary to the notion, the large bore, not the small gauge, will bring the most game to the novice’s bag.