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 
27 45-caliber shell, with 110 grains strong 
powder and a 340-grain express-ball such 
as I use, the most destructive charge in all 
Ametican’ rifles tor bear, elk, and Sheep) 7 
little lighter ball might answer, perhaps, but 
Iam 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 
236 
