HEAVY RIFLES. 177 



more from theory or a limited experience than extensive practical know- 

 ledge. There are two well-known sportsmen, amongst others, whom every 

 one will admit to be thoroughly Cj[nalified to speak on the sul)ject, — namely, 

 the late Captain James Forsyth, Bengal Staff Corps, author of the Sjwrt- 

 ing Rifle and its Projectiles (which I strongly recommend to any young 

 sportsman who has not read it) ; and Sir Samuel Baker, whose experience 

 ■with large game is unrivalled. Both advocate the use of the heaviest rifle 

 the sportsman can manage upon all sorts of game. Yet it is not unusual 

 to hear men express a decided opinion to the contrary, generally conveyed 

 in the formula, "A 12 -bore is big enough for anything." Sir Samuel Baker 

 says that such should rather say, " I cannot carry a heavy gun," or, " I 

 cannot shoot with one," than speak against them on principle. 



AU the world over animals are divisible into but two classes considered 

 as objects for the rifle, and for each class a distinct rifle is required. The 

 first consists of such ponderous beasts as the elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, 

 and bison, whose hides are tough and whose bones are massive. The 

 second comprises tigers, bears, and all descriptions of deer and smaller 

 animals ; these may be termed the soft-bodied class. For the former a ball 

 of immense smashing power is necessary, otherwise it may be arrested by 

 powerful bones and muscles before it can do sufficient damage ; for the 

 second class, whose bodies do not offer a quarter the resistance of those of 

 the larger quadrupeds, a different kind of effect — that of the express or 

 explosive bullet — is the most advantageous, because it can be produced by a 

 rifle of a more manageable description than one required to effect as great 

 results with a solid bullet. 



I have generally found men who do not use or understand heavy-game 

 rifles make one or other of the following remarks on examining them : 

 " What a weight ! who could carry that ? " or, " It must kick fearfully ! " 

 It will be understood that, as regards the first objection, such pieces are 

 only taken in hand by the sportsman when actually firing at game, and 

 are at other times carried by his attendants. I may also say that the 

 weight seems very much less under the exciting circumstances in which 

 such pieces are generally used than when they are handled in cold blood. 

 As regards the kicking, their weight being proportionate to the charge of 

 powder used, they recoil little more than an ordinary 12-bore. 



It is sometimes argued that hundreds of large animals have been bagged 

 with 12 or 14 bore rifles, or even smaller weapons. True : but how many 

 more have escaped or have been consigned to die lingering deaths, that would 

 have been secured with heavier metal ? A 1 4 or 1 6 bore, with 4 drams 

 of powder, is sufficient to kill even an elephant if a fair shot can be had 



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