MISCELLANEOUS. 233 



12 -bore poly groove by a celebrated maker, but had two 

 great defects which frequently placed me in danger, viz., the 

 cartridge cases often jammed after discharge, and it could 

 only burn 2-J- drachms of powder. This absurd charge 

 behind a hollow bullet (which was recommended by the 

 maker) gave very little penetration. 



After some experience I substituted spherical balls for 

 these with better results, but much was still to be desired. 

 I then had a 12 -bore central fire poly groove made to 

 order by Rigby, chambered to burn 7-| drachms of powder 

 (Curtis and Harvey's No. 6 coarse grain), barrels 24 inches 

 long. With 4 drachms powder and spherical bullets, it 

 could put shot after shot from both barrels well into the 

 centre of an 8-inch bull's-eye at 100 yards. 



Behind shells, the charge used was 4^ drachms powder, 

 and for bison and elephants 5^ and 7^ drachms respectively, 

 with solid, hardened bullets. I have shot some tigers, 

 panthers, bears, and a good many deer with a *500 Express 

 rifle, and in the majority of cases found it very effective ; 

 but it lacks penetration, owing to the bullet being too 

 light, too much metal is lost by the size of the cavity ; no 

 rifle could drive such a projectile through a tiger's shoulder 

 so as to reach the heart or lungs in a position which is not 

 unfrequently offered to the sportsman, viz., a three-quarter 

 shot facing you ; indeed, with even a very small cavity, it 

 is doubtful if any bullet from a sporting rifle can do so. 

 The detonating mixture for shells was composed of equal 

 weights of chlorate of potash and black antimony. This 

 compound was not too sensitive, and never burst until the 

 projectile had penetrated some inches ; its effect was very- 

 marked, splinters of lead penetrating the softer tissues 

 to a distance of nearly a foot from the seat of explosion. 

 About 20 per cent, of these shells failed to explode ; 



