296 MY SOMALI BOOK 



From what I have said before of the -450 Express 

 this energy would appear to be decidedly insufficient ; 

 but in point of fact, practical experience has proved 

 the Paradox bullet to afford a striking example of the 

 value in stopping power of a large striking surface and 

 sheer weight of lead. So that its effectiveness at 

 ranges not exceeding one hundred yards is probably 

 superior to the '500 Magnum Express, while at thirty 

 yards or so it is not inferior to the '577 Express. 



With this bullet effectiveness, it remains a shot- 

 gun ; in weight and general handiness unquestionably 

 superior to any rifle that exists. And herein lie 

 advantages that in my opinion constitute it the ideal 

 weapon for jungle work. Of course it has killed animals 

 at ranges over one hundred yards, but these are outside 

 its proper sphere. 



This last remark was written more particularly 

 of the Paradox which was for long the ball-and-shot 

 gun. But there are others : notably Messrs. Westley 

 Richards' " Explora " gun, the latest development 

 of which, the 12-bore Super Magnum, is stated to have 

 attained a muzzle velocity of 1500 f.s. without any 

 practical reduction in weight of bullet. The result 

 is that the energy obtained represents a 75 per cent, 

 increase on that of the Magnum Paradox, combined 

 with improved ranging power, but with no correspond- 

 ing increase of weight or consequent loss of handiness 

 in the gun. 



Great qualities of expansion are claimed for the 

 " Explora " bullet. If these claims are justified, and 

 there is good reason to think they are, the Paradox 

 must take second place. But that matters little, the 



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