8 WILD HEARTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



bullet, G drnms powtlcr, not GJ, as the charge of only 6 drams 

 produces greater accuracy at long ranges. 



The weight of this rifle should be 1 1| Ibs., or not exceeding 12 

 Ibs. For smaller game, from fallow deer downwards, I prefer the 

 400 Express with a charge of from 85 grains to 4 drams of powder 

 solid bullet, excepting the case of black-buck, where, on account 

 of numerous villages on the plains, it is necessary that the bullet 

 should not pass through the body. The important question of 

 weight is much in favour of the '400, as great power and velocity 

 are obtained by a weapon of only 8| Ibs. 



I should therefore limit my battery to one '577, one '400, and 

 one Paradox No. 12, for ordinary game in India, as elephants and 

 other of the larger animals require a special outfit. 



The Paradox, 1 invented by Colonel Fosberry and manufactured 

 by Messrs. Holland and Holland of Bond Street, is a most useful 

 weapon, as it combines the shot-gun with a rifle that is wonderfully 

 accurate within a range of 100 yards. 



It is a smooth-bore slightly choked, but severely rifled for only 

 1| inch in length from the muzzle. This gives the spin to the 

 projectile sufficient to ensure accuracy at the distance mentioned. 



The No. 12 Paradox weighs 8] Ibs. and carries a bullet of 1 

 ounce with 4^ drams of powder. Although the powder charge is 

 not sufficient to produce a high express velocity, the penetration 

 and shock are most formidable, as the bullet is of hardened metal, 

 and it retains its figure even after striking a tough hide and bones. 

 The advantage of such a gun is obvious, as it enables a charge of 

 buck-shot to be carried in the left barrel, while the right is loaded 

 with a heavy bullet that is an admirable bone-smasher ; it also 

 supersedes the necessity of an extra gun for small game, as it shoots 

 No. 6 shot with equal pattern to the best cylinder-bored gun. 



There are many persons who prefer a '500 or a -450 Express to 

 the '577 or the '400. I have nothing to say against them, but I 

 prefer those I have named, as the '577 is the most fatal weapon 

 that I have ever used, and with G or G.^ drams of powder it is 

 quite equal to any animal in creation, provided the shot is behind 

 the shoulder. This provision explains my reason for insisting that 

 all animals from a buffalo upwards should be placed in a separate 

 category, as it is frequently impossible to obtain a shoulder shot, 

 therefore the rifles for exceedingly heavy game must be specially 



1 Since this was written Messrs. Holland have succeeded after lengthened 

 experiments in producing a Paradox No. 8, which burns 10 drams of powder, 

 and carries a very heavy bullet with extreme accuracy. This will be a new 

 departure in weapons for heavy game. 



