Remarks on Rifles. 267 



A single magazine or a falling block is generally more 

 accurate than a double, as with the latter it is difficult for 

 the rifle maker to adjust both barrels to shoot the same. 



People who have done a lot of shooting with a shotgun 

 often prefer a double rifle, as they say they can shoot 

 quicker, especially for running shots. This may be so, 

 but rifle shooting and shotgun shooting are two absolutely 

 different accomplishments. 



With a rifle, if the sights are not properly aligned on the 

 object, the bullet will not hit it except by the greatest 

 fluke, and with a shotgun hand and eye act together, and 

 there is not the need of great accuracy with a charge of 

 small shot. 



No doubt if some of our best shots with a shotgun had 

 bullets in their guns instead of shot, they would often hit at 

 short ranges, but they would not hit much at the ordinary 

 range for big game shooting, which is usually between 

 100 and 200 yards, even if the ball carried as far. 



For a sum of from 12 I2s. to 20 one can get the best 

 magazine rifle made, and nowadays fairly large bores can 

 be got in magazine form, such as '375, '404, '416, and '425. 



The '416, which has lately been introduced by a first class 

 London firm, shoots a very strong charge, and the solid 

 bullets have particularly well covered nickel jackets, so as 

 to improve penetration. Such a rifle I would infinitely 

 prefer to a double '450 or '470; and with a 7'9mm. as the 

 small bore for all-round work one could not do better than 

 get one of these new -416 Mausers for use on very heavy 

 and dangerous animals. Being special rifles, they cost 

 30 guineas, but this figure includes a rubber heel pad and 

 a spare front sight. 



Such a rifle would be the best for elephant and rhino 

 obtainable, used with solid bullets, and, with hollow point or 

 soft nose bullets, buffaloes would seldom need more than 

 one shot with such a rifle. The bullets weigh 410 grains, 

 the velocity is about 24ooft. sec., and the striking energy 

 at muzzle is over 5oooft lb., which is equivalent to the -450 

 type of nitro rifles. 



