i THE RIFLE OF A PAST HALF CENTURY 9 



adapted for the work required, so as to command them in every 

 conceivable position. 



I have shot with every size of rifle from a half-pounder explosive 

 shell, and I do not think any larger bore is actually necessary than 

 a No. 8, with a charge of 12 or 14 drams of powder. Such a rifle 

 should weigh 15 Ibs., and the projectile would weigh 3 ounces of 

 hardened metal. 



The rifles that I have enumerated would be all double, but 

 should the elephant -hunter desire anything more formidable, I 

 should recommend a single barrel of 36 inches in length of bore, 

 weighing 22 Ibs., and sighted most accurately to 400 yards. Such 

 a weapon could be used by a powerful man from the shoulder at 

 the close range of fifty yards, or it could be fired at long ranges 

 upon a pivot rest, which would enable the elephant-hunter to kill 

 at a great distance by the shoulder shot when the animals were in 

 deep marshes or on the opposite side of a river. I have frequently 

 seen elephants in such positions when it was impossible to approach 

 within reasonable range. A rifle of this description would carry a 

 half-pound shell with a bursting charge of half an ounce of fine 

 grain powder, and the propelling charge would be 16 drams. I 

 had a rifle that carried a similar charge, but unfortunately it was 

 too short, and was only sighted for 100 yards. Such a weapon 

 can hardly be classed among sporting rifles, but it would be a useful 

 adjunct to the battery of a professional hunter in Africa. 



There can be little doubt that a man should not be overweighted, 

 but that every person should be armed in proportion to his physical 

 strength. If he is too light for a very heavy rifle he must select 

 a smaller bore; if he is afraid of a No. 8 with 14 drams, he must 

 be content with a No. 12 and 10 drams, but although he may be 

 successful with the lighter weapon, he must not expect the per- 

 formance will equal that of the superior power. 



It may therefore be concluded that for a man of ordinary strength, 

 the battery for the heaviest game should be a pair of double 

 No. 8 rifles weighing 14 or 15 Ibs., to burn from 12 to 14 drams 

 of powder, with a hardened bullet of 3 ounces. Such a rifle will 

 break the bones of any animal from an elephant downwards, and 

 would rake a buffalo from end to end, which is a matter of great 

 importance when the beast is charging. 



Although the rifle is now thoroughly appreciated, and sportsmen 

 of experience have accepted the Express as embodying the correct 

 principle of high velocity, I differ with many persons of great 

 authority in the quality of projectiles, which require as much con- 

 sideration as the pattern of the gun. 



