180 AN IMPROVED -450 EXPRESS. 



precludes the use of a charge of powder proportionate to the weight of the 

 ball. A recent writer on Indian sport speaks of " a powerful 6 -bore (2§ oz.) 

 rifle, burning 4 drams." About three times this charge would be more 

 nearly what such a rifle would require. A big ball before a light charge of 

 powder is as useless as a heavy sword in the hands of a weak man. 



Were I asked my opinion as to a battery to be taken out to India I 

 should recommend a "450 express'"' as the sportsman's own weapon — the 

 one to be always in his hands, whether tiger-shooting in the jungle or 

 antelope-stalking in the plains ; and a heavy rifle of No. 8 gauge, to burn 

 up to 12 drams of powder, and weighing between 16 and 17 lb., for any- 

 thing larger than tigers. Of course if the sportsman can afford a pair of the 

 latter weapons so much the better. If he intend to shoot elephants — and 

 the day may come when elephant-shooting will be allowed again in India — 

 he should have a stni larger double rifle or smooth-bore. I should recom- 

 mend a No. 4. I have, for my own part, become so thoroughly impressed, 

 after giving them a fair trial, of the indispensabOity of heavy rifles for large 

 game, that I disposed of a pair of pet 12 -bores I had, and with which I had 

 Idlled many big beasts, in favour of a double 4, a double 8, and a double 

 express. Without something of the cannon kind, game of the ponderous 

 class cannot be brought to fightiug quarters with even a moderate degree of 

 safety or effect. The sportsman wiQ have to foUow the ignominious plan 

 of popping at them from safe places, or, however boldly he may encounter 

 them, he wiU. find small weapons entail constant disappointment. With 

 really heavy metal he feels that confidence and power to overcome the 

 hugest beasts which constitute the chief elements of pleasure in following 



nd faciag them. 



I am decidedly opposed to the use upon buffalo, bison, and such ani- 



lals, of the express rifle of either '500 or "450 bore (equivalent to 38 and 

 5 spherical gauge). The express is essentially a rifle for soft-bodied animals, 

 and is not adapted for use on those with thick hides and massive bones. 

 Though bison have not unfrequently been kiQed with the express, a return 

 of the beasts wounded and lost for each one bagged would, as far as the expe- 

 rience of my friends and myself goes, be a terrible document. Sir Samuel 



* Messrs Lang & Sons, 22 Cockspur Street, are now building for me a '450 express, to burn 

 t>\ standard drams. The advantages which will be secured by this unprecedentedly large charge 

 will be apparent to those who understand that most admirable weapon the express. About 44 

 drams is the largest charge that has been used hitherto in the '450. Powder-measures supplied 

 by various gunmakers differ considerably, and often bear about the same proportion to the stan- 

 dard measure as the reputed quart does to the imperial. It is advisable, therefore, to have a. 

 guarantee from gunmakers as to the actual amount of fiowder which their cartridges are capable of 

 holding. 



