RIFLES, GUNS, AND OTHER SPORTING REQUISITES. 219 



The charge of powder for a '360 bore should be about 2 drams, for a -450 bore \]/ 2 drams, 

 for a "Soo bore 5^ drams. 



The principle on which the Express hollow bullet has been constructed is, by weaken- 

 ing the projectile and increasing the charge of powder, to insure the bullet's breaking up 

 when it strikes an animal, and thus cause extensive laceration and shock to the system. 

 This end is attained with thin-skinned animals of medium size, but if these light projectiles 

 are employed against such ponderous beasts as Rhinoceros or Buffaloes, it will be found 

 that the result will generally be a merely superficial wound. 



Again the lightness of the bullet renders it peculiarly liable to the influence of wind, 

 and materially lessens the value of the rifle at the longer sporting ranges. 



It has been found moreover that Express bullets are not to be trusted in jungle shoot- 

 ing, as they are apt to be broken up or diverted from their course by contact with twigs or 

 even with thick grass. 



Both the drawbacks just alluded to have been overcome to a certain extent by substi- 

 tuting solid bullets for hollow ones, but it must be remembered that this entails additional 

 recoil, and increases the curve of the trajectory. The solid bullet, moreover, if used for the 

 smaller deer and antelope, would not meet with sufficient resistance to cause it to break 

 up or ' set up a head,' so that one of the principles of the Express system would be 

 sacrificed. 



It is evident therefore that it is highly desirable that different weapons should be 

 used for different purposes ; and I should recommend any one who is likely to have 

 extensive opportunities of shooting, and who has ample means, to procure a pair of double 

 barrelled large bore rifles, and a pair of double barrelled Expresses ; the weight and calibre 

 of each being that best suited to his strength. 



If means are limited, one rifle of each description will still form an excellent battery ; 

 indeed I only recommend a pair of each in case of any accident happening to one of the 

 rifles, or for heavy game-shooting on foot. 



The cost, however, even of two double barrelled rifles is considerable, and to those who 

 can only afford one rifle, I say without hesitation that a 12-bore rifle on the Forsyth system, 

 to carry a spherical bullet with a large charge of powder, is the best of all weapons for 

 general purposes. It will be found sufficiently powerful for the largest animals if the shots are 

 at all well placed, and accurate enough up to a hundred and fifty yards for all practical 

 purposes ; while its trajectory is nearly, if not quite, as flat as that of the Express rifle at 

 short ranges. 



Such a rifle, not exceeding 1 1 lbs. in weight, will carry seven drams of powder without 

 inconvenient recoil, and will be found perfectly manageable by any man of average 

 strength. 



I have used a rifle of the above description for several years, and have rarely lost an 

 animal hit with it ; while my shooting has been better than I ever remember to have made 

 with any other rifle. With it I have killed Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Gaur, Panther, Bear, Sam- 

 bur, Ibex, Tahr, &c. 



