THE SPORTSMAN'S VADE-MECUM 



shaped require swedging before they can be used again, while the 

 long-drawn may be fired many times without any such operation ; 

 I never swedged my old '450 or -500 cases, and used them over 

 and over again. 



So much for the bore. The next point is whether it is to be a 

 single or double ; if you can afford it, let it be the latter, but if 

 money is an object it is better to have a really first-rate single than 

 any second-rate double. My '450 was a single, and I never lost 

 or missed game owing to its being so, neither was my life ever in 

 danger from a wounded animal. It may be said I was lucky ; but 

 I think I ran little risk, for I never tried shots at bears up above 

 me ! I had decided on a double "450 magnum by the same maker, 

 when duty called me out of India, and, as I said before, that is the 

 weapon I would choose now. 



There should be a fixed sight for use up to and at 150 yards, 

 with one leaf for 200 yards. Between these distances I prefer to 

 take a fuller sight according to the increase in elevation required, 

 instead of putting up the 200 and aiming fine ; beyond 200, up to 

 230, you will find a good rifle will fully satisfy your expectations 

 with the 200 yards leaf up, and more foresight visible. The sights 



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ELEVATION 



here shown are excellent. There is a platinum line down the 

 centre of the back-sight, and the end of the fore- sight towards 

 the breech is counter-sunk, so that it is always a round black object. 

 The height of the back-sight is exaggerated in the sketch, to 



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enable the pattern to be seen ; the fore-sight is about right, and 

 will require a sight protector, such as I have described later on. 

 It is no use having a fore-sight nearly flush on the rib or lump 



