SCR00007.171

LAND AND WATER.

MISS OAKLEY'S PIGEON SHOOTING.

SIR,—In a recent issue you very kindly published the result of a private exhibition by Miss Annie Oakley's shooting on August 10, with a pair of 20-bore breech-loader hammerless shots gun I had just finished for her.

I have now the pleasure to give you particulars of a match which took place at my private shooting ground on September 30, under the following conditions:—To kill 35 out of 50 of the very best bluerock pigeons at 25 yards rise; five traps, Hurlingham rules, weight of guns, 5lb. 2oz.; 2 1/2drs. of powder, 3/4oz. shot. I append herewith score of Miss Annie Oakley's shooting, in which you will see she grassed 41 birds out of 50, winning the match by 6 birds over the stipulated number:—

Number. Full Score.

1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 — 8 out of 10
1 0 1* 1 1 1* 1 1 1* 1* — 9 " 10
1 1 1 0 1 — 4 " 5

Interval.

1* 1 1 1 1 1* 0 1 0 0 — 7 " 10
1 0 1 1* 0 1 1 1 1 1 — 8 " 10
1* 1* 1 1* 1 — 5 " 5
41 " 50

*Denotes both barrels fired.

The birds were supplied by Mr. T. Morgan, of Latimer-road, Notting-hill.

At the conclusion of the match, Miss Annie Oakley was warmly congratulated on her brilliant shooting by her friends and the gentlemen present.

Charles Lancaster.

151, New Bond-street, W.

[We would suggest that there is a certain amount of cuelty in shooting pigeons at the distance of twenty-five yards with so light a gun and charge. It is a fine performance from a gunnery point of view, doubtless, but it involves the principle of shooting at birds which rise at too great a distance to be killed every time, even with the most perfect aim. At fifteen or twenty yards rise, Miss Oakley would only have missed when she did not hold straight. At twenty-five yards the case is different. No such charge is powerful enough to kill with certainty at such a distance.—ED.]