American Big-Game Hunting 



best for bear and elk and sheep. With ex- 

 ceptional opportunities for several years past 

 among all our big game, together with a 

 careful study of the subject, based on a dis- 

 section of wounds made by different combi- 

 nations of powder and ball, I think the 

 2}i 45-caliber shell, with no grains strong 

 powder and a 340-grain express-ball such 

 as I use, the most destructive charge in all 

 American rifles for bear, elk, and sheep. A 

 little lighter ball might answer, perhaps, but 

 I am not sure. The amount of powder would 

 not be sufficient for a heavier one for best 

 results. The best results not only depend 

 on the relative proportion of powder and 

 ball, but also on the diameter and depth of 

 the hole in the point of ball. If the walls 

 around the hole are too thin, they will break 

 off too soon, or in too fine pieces. If the 

 walls are too thick, they may not disintegrate 

 until the ball's velocity has been so much re- 

 tarded that the particles will not have veloc- 

 ity to make their own way, but will follow 

 the channel made by the butt; so that a 

 good many considerations enter into the 

 problem. The ball in question, shot directly 

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