12 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. . 



remains intact, the striking energy being concentrated within the 

 body. 



The difference in the striking energy of a hollow bullet from 

 that of a solid projectile is enormous, owing to the inequality in 

 weight The hollow bullet wounds mortally, but it does not always 

 kill neatly. I have seen very many instances where the '500 

 hollow Express with 5 drams of powder has struck an animal well 

 behind the shoulder, or sometimes through the shoulder, and not- 

 withstanding the fatal wound, the beast has galloped off as though 

 untouched, for at least a hundred yards, before it fell suddenly, 

 and died. 



This is clumsy shooting. The solid bullet of pure lead would 

 have killed upon the spot, as the bullet would have retained its 

 substance although it altered its form, and the shock would have 

 been more severe. The hollow bullet exhibits a peculiar result in 

 a jwst-mortem examination : the lungs may be hopelessly torn and 

 ragged, the liver and the heart may be also damaged, all by the 

 same projectile, because it has been converted into small shot 

 immediately upon impact. Frequently a minute hole will be 

 observed upon the entrance, and within an inch beneath the skin a 

 large aperture will be seen where an explosion appears to have 

 taken place by the breaking-up of the lead, all of which has 

 splashed into fragments scattering in every direction. 



Common sense will suggest that although such a bullet will kill, 

 it is not the sort of weapon to stop a dangerous animal when in full 

 charge. Weak men generally prefer the hollow Express because 

 the rifle is lighter and handier than the more formidable weapon, 

 and the recoil is not so severe, owing to the lightness of the bullet. 



My opinion may be expressed in a few words. If you wish 

 the bullet to expand, use soft lead, but keep the metal solid. If 

 you wish for great penetration, use hard solid metal, either -j 1 ^ tin 

 or T 1 T quicksilver. Even this will alter its form against the bones 

 of a buffalo, but either of the above will go clean through a wapiti 

 stag, and would kill another beyond it should the rifle be '577 

 fired with 6 drams of powder. 



The same rifle will not drive a soft leaden solid bullet through 

 a male tiger if struck directly through the shoulder ; it will be 

 found flattened to a mushroom form beneath the skin upon the 

 other side, having performed its duty effectively, by killing the 

 tiger upon the spot, and retaining intact the metal of which it was 

 composed. 



A. post-mortem inquiry in the latter case would be most satis- 

 factory. If the bullet shall have struck fair upon the shoulder- 



