It is interesting to note that the more gasoline is added, the thicker the emulsion becomes, and if the addition of gasoline and shaking is prolonged, a semisolid jelly is formed, which will not run from a bottle.—Contributed by H. E. Zschiegner, Wellsville, N. Y.
Locking Window Sash
An excellent lock for window sash is to use two small, but strong, hinges one fastened on each side of the top sash close to the upper edge of the lower sash. This allows one wing of each hinge to swing freely which permits it to be swung over the upper edge of the lower sash, locking both securely. In placing the hinges in this position, they are out of sight and not in the way.
THE SHOTGUN
AND HOW TO USE IT
By Stillman Taylor
PART II—The Choke and Pattern of a Gun
Having picked out a gun that “fits the man,” the matter of choke and pattern should be considered. For trap shooting and for wild fowling, the full-choke gun may be considered a necessity, since it will throw the charge of shot within a relatively small circle; in other words, make a denser pattern. Chokeboring is accomplished by constricting the barrel at the muzzle from ¹⁄₂₅ to ¹⁄₅₀ in., the amount of taper depending on the size of the bore and gauge. The narrowing of the muzzle forces the charge of shot together and prevents the pellets from scattering over a wide area. Guns are bored with varying degrees of choke, from the full to the plain cylinder, and the manufacturers compare them by recording the number of pellets which any given choke will shoot in a 30-in. circle at 30 yd., or any other range selected as the maximum distance. This gives the pattern from which we find that the full choke produces 70 per cent, the half choke 60 per cent, the quarter choke 50 per cent, and the cylinder 30 per cent.
For trap shooting and wild fowling the expert considers it essential that his 12-gauge should be capable of throwing not less than 300 pellets; hence he selects a full-choked gun with a pattern of 300 or better. As a full-choked 16-gauge will pattern about 275, it may be used for ducks with good success. For a general-purpose gun, a pattern from 250 to 275 will prove quite satisfactory for ducks and upland game, and this may be had by picking out a half-choked 12-gauge, or selecting a full-choked 16-gauge. The 20-gauge gives a pattern of about 245 shot, and thus scatters its charge over too large a circle to prove effective on wild fowl, although it is very effective on upland game, which is flushed not over 35 yd. from the shooter. A gun patterning from 225 to 250 may be considered the ideal upland gun, and this may be had by choosing a quarter-choked 12-gauge, a half-choked 16-gauge, or a full-choked 20-gauge gun. These are known as “open-choked” guns, are the most effective at short ranges, up to 35 yd., and cannot be depended upon to kill clean when used at longer ranges.
Shooting with Both Eyes Open
To handle the weapon well is the desire of every sportsman, and this knack is not difficult to attain, providing the novice will make a good beginning. First of all, it is necessary to hold the gun correctly, and while the forward hand may grip the fore end at any convenient point, a well extended arm gives a better control of the gun when aiming, by giving free play to all the muscles of the arm; hence the gun should be held in a manner natural to the shooter, rather than in imitation of the style of another.