12 OUR BIG GAME 



out against this, but their contention was unheeded. 

 After the lapse of time nitro powder was invented — a 

 smokeless explosive that was hailed as a blessing by 

 sportsmen. The small-calibre rifle made its appear- 

 ance, and its lessened weight and smokeless ammuni- 

 tion soon made it a popular favorite even with those 

 who distrusted its small-calibre and diminutive pro- 

 jectile. Some of the more enthusiastic of the brother- 

 hood discarded the heavier weights and larger calibre 

 for the more portable light-weight, small-bore and 

 smokeless ammunition. 



"The older manufacturers suddenly awoke from 

 their lethargy and produced a large-calibre rifle of 

 lighter weight and adapted for nitro (smokeless) pow- 

 ders, and now but little is left to choose between them 

 on the score of weight or freedom from the smoke of 

 the old saltpetre, brimstone and charcoal powder. 



" For the small calibre, of which the .30-30 may be 

 mentioned as a type, a greater initial velocity is 

 claimed, and consequently a flatter trajectory and 

 greater accuracy in long-distance shooting. Be this 

 as it may, long-distance shooting is not a factor in 

 moose-hunting, either by calling or still-hunting ; and 

 some old hunters of long experience and great success, 

 who have given both large and small calibres abun- 

 dant trial, have discarded the latter and will take them 

 to the woods no more. 



" Doubtless some sportsman who may have made a 

 chance lucky shot through the heart or broken the 

 spinal column of a noble buck or lordly moose, may be 

 highly pleased with the execution of the small-calibre 

 weapon with which he made the shot; but is he justi- 



