NOTES ON RIFLES AND AMMUNITION 397 



up too soon, causing only a flesh wound, and not having 

 sufficient penetration to reach a vital part of the animal shot. 

 The above remarks apply both to '450 and '577 rifles, but 

 especially to the latter, so without going into further details 

 illustrations are here given of the light '450 and '577 bullets 

 generally used (see fig. n), and the longer ones now recom- 

 mended (see fig. 12). 



Since Sir Samuel Baker has so strongly recommended 

 '577 6-dr. rifles, they have become much better known, and 

 are now much more used than formerly. There can be no 

 question that when fired with proper bullets they are very 

 effective weapons, even against the largest kinds of game. Of 



45 '577 



270 grains 455 grains 

 Fig. ii 



'45 '577 



340 grains 625 grains 



Fig. 12 



course for use against the latter it is necessary to employ solid 

 hardened bullets. 



The weapon used and recommended by Sir Samuel Baker 

 is somewhat heavier than the ordinary '577, weighing between 

 ii and 12 Ibs. ; it was specially made for him, and is sighted 

 up to 400 yards. 



For soft-skinned animals, Sir Samuel used solid pure lead 

 bullets, and he always found them deliver the whole power of 

 the charge upon the animal, being generally forced into the 

 shape of a mushroom, and found under the skin upon the 

 opposite side of the beast. 



Count Teleki, in his successful three years' expedition in 



