264 WILD SPOJtTS OF BURMA AND ASSAM 



those mentioned above for the Mannlicher. Two cartridges 

 may be used for Gibbs -461 Metford rifles, one taking a charge 

 of 90 grams powder and 570 grams bullet, hollow and copper- 

 sheathed projectiles, and the other 90 grams powder and 360 

 grams bullet, hollow. All cartridges should be hermetically 

 sealed in tins of twenty-five each to protect them from 

 the climate and damp ; they are then always fresh and give 

 better results than if they had been lying in a cartridge 

 magazine exposed to the air day after day. Each tin should 

 state on the outside the gauge of the cartridge, bullet charge, 

 etc. If you have paper-cases (get Eley's brass shells, they 

 are dear, but never or scarcely ever fail) for your double 8 

 and 12 Paradox's, a cartridge-extractor for each should be 

 taken for use, should a shell expand and remain in the 

 chamber. Smokeless powder in preference to black should 

 not be used for any rifle larger (for all rifles if possible) than 

 a '45o-bore or '500 at most. Many gun-makers will not 

 recommend the use of nitro powders for even small bores, as 

 the pressure is so great as to allow of an accident happening 

 to the breech at anytime. Smokeless powder should never 

 be used out of any rifle not originally built for the purpose, 

 unless the maker has first been consulted as to the feasibility 

 of doing so. All rifles should, if possible, be hammerless. 

 There is no reason why big bores should not be hammerless 

 any more than small bores. Many men are, however, under 

 the impression that big bores should not be hammerless, 

 because the second hammer is apt to go off" by the jar 

 or recoil occasioned by firing the right barrel. This is 

 altogether an erroneous idea, and, if such ever happens, it is 

 entirely the fault of the weapon and the firm who made it. 

 (I perfectly agree.) Rifle-sights, both fore and back, should be 

 screwed down to the rib of the rifle, as sights that are let in 

 from the side or front without screws are apt to slip or be 

 jerked out of their places when, with head down, you are 

 engaged in boring your way through jungle in hot haste after 

 a wounded or other animal. Strong waterproof covers for 

 each weapon should also be taken; white enamel night-sights 

 to fold down flush with the rib should be fitted on to your 

 8 and 12-bore "Paradox," as many opportunities occur of 



