1 5 2 PREP A RA TIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION 



The selection of guns is a serious matter on a trip of this kind. 

 Very often a man's life depends entirely on the accuracy and perfec- 

 tion of this part of the equipment. A defective lock or weak ejector 

 has cost more than one life in the jungle. Most hunters of late years 

 have taken the following assortment: First and most important, of 

 course, is the heavy double barrel .450 (45/iC)0-inch) express rifle, 

 using cordite and usually either soft-nose or explosive bullets. This 

 rifle is used for the largest game, such as elephant, rhinoceros, hippo- 

 potamus, etc., when the range is not too great. Next come the lighter 

 guns with smaller bore and greater range. Many hunters prefer the 

 Mannlicher sporting rifle of eight or nine millimeters bore (about as 

 large as a drawing crayon, 33/100 and 35/100 of an inch). Others 



FOX DOUBLE BARREL SHOT GUN 

 A gun of this same model was made for Mr. Roosevelt 



prefer the Winchester. Mr. Roosevelt has used the latter in most of 

 his work. These smaller bore rifles are very useful for the fleet 

 antelope family, zebra, giraffe and the wary and easily frightened 

 gazelles or smaller antelopes. Their range is greater than that of the 

 express and a kill can be made at 1,000 yards or more. In addition 

 to these weapons, a 12-bore repeating shot gun and a service revolver 

 usually suflice to complete the list. 



Alterations in guns are sometimes necessary. For instance, Mr. 

 Roosevelt is said to be somewhat color blind. In trying out his rifles 

 it was found that with the regulation gun metal sight he was rather 

 a poor marksman, but when a pink bead had been substituted for this 

 his targets were remarkably good. 



