THE SHAPE OF THE BULLET, 



323 



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ter 



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of 



lally 

 the 

 the 



Itive 

 the 

 the 

 )int, 



the other two-thirds of tt bciii^ a cyhndcr. The front 

 part of the bullet is transversely divided into four 

 equal sections by the finest possible partitions (the 

 finer the better). In the apex of the ball is to be 

 placed a circular wedge of hard wood, scarcely a 

 quarter of an inch broad at top and three-eij^hths of 

 an inch long ; the top of this wedge to project slightly 

 beyond the metal into which it is fixed with as little 

 derangement of the cross incisions as possible. This 

 being accomplished, dip the bullet up to the shoulder 

 in common paraffin candle grease dissolved. What 

 adheres of this liquid externally need not be removed. 



The advantages that I claim for these alterations 

 is that if the cruciform formation does not penetrate 

 through too great expansion, the olid cylinder 

 behind does, even passing through the flanges thrown 

 out. 



A large bone in a powerful animal, if struck, broke 

 the former bullet up ; in the new form the bone 

 must give way, although the shape of the ball becomes 

 altered ; but this is really an advantage, for the wound 

 inflicted by it is much more serious than if the bullet 

 had retained its former regular shape. 



For general guidance the "450 bore bullet should 

 be about one inch long, the length of the missile 

 being increased if the bore is larger, the same external 

 proportions being retained in regard to shape. 



With a '500 bore and this projectile, a Cape buffalo 

 (Bos Kaffir) would most assuredly fall if the ball was 

 well placed, and I am inclined to think the same 

 would be the result if tried upon an elephant ; 

 however, for game possessing such thick skins and 

 wonderful vitality, the "560 rifle, if the sportsman 

 possesses suflficient strength to carry it, would be 

 an infinitely preferable weapon. 



For killing the game I have mentioned, under very 

 rare circumstances indeed, a smooth 8 or even 10, in 

 my belief, is the best ; of course using a spherical 



Y 2 



