260 MY SOMALI BOOK 



weight of a large- bore bullet. The modern small-bore 

 bullet is mtended to attain the necessary shock-effect 

 by a combination of high velocity and expansion ; 

 but, effective as it often is, it frequently fails on thin- 

 skinned game, either by reason of excessive penetra- 

 tion, or by breaking up and thus failing to penetrate, 

 and occasionally by deflection from its course owing 

 to its elongated shape. It lacks, moreover, the knock- 

 ing-down power of a slower bullet of larger bore. For 

 these reasons its immediate effect is less to be depended 

 upon in the case of a charging animal, especially if a 

 vital part is not struck ; while its extremety low 

 trajectory is of no advantage at the short ranges at 

 which dangerous game is usually shot. Applying these 

 views in the light of experience I arrive at the following 

 conclusions : — 



(i.) In the older class of Express rifles the '500 

 Magnum is the least powerful that can be considered 

 a safe weapon for tiger or lion. 



(ii.) Of high- velocity rifles none smaller than '400 

 bore has a bullet of sufficient weight and striking 

 surface. 



(iii.) The balUand-shot gun of the Paradox or 

 Explora type, with its large but slow travelling bullet, 

 excels in stopping-power. 



Finally, as between these three classes, the light 

 weight and handiness of the 12 bore ball-and-shot 

 gun give it the preference for thin-skinned da,ngerous 

 game over the '400 cordite rifle, which is in its turn to 

 be preferred to the older Express rifles on account of its 

 more general utility. 



Further, with regard to pachydermatous game, 



