RIFLES, GUNS, AND OTHER SPORTING REQUISITES. 22 1 



On a sporting trip plenty of Rangoon or other mineral oil should, of course, be taken, 

 also a good supply of rags for cleaning guns. 



CARTRIDGES. 



For rifles of all descriptions I now use solid drawn metal cartridges, which possess many 

 advantages over the best paper cartridges. The latter frequently swell in damp weather, 

 rendering loading difficult or impossible, and if wet they become useless. Metal cartridges, 

 if properly loaded, are nearly waterproof, and they increase the shooting powers of the 

 rifle. 



Bottle-shaped cartridges are now nearly universally used with Express rifles, and the 

 proper method of loading them is generally understood. 



Large bore spherical bullet cartridges are, however, frequently improperly loaded, and, ■ 

 as this injuriously affects the shooting, it may be well to describe how they should be loaded. 



In the first place, the cartridge cases ("which are made in several lengths) should be 

 exactly the length of the chamber of the rifle. 



This point having been seen to, and the charge of powder determined upon, the powder 

 charges should be carefully weighed or measured, well shaken down in the cartridge, and 

 secured by a thin black jute wad. Over the thin wad a greased felt wad or wads should be 

 inserted, o"f such a thickness that nearly half the bullet shall project beyond the cartridge case, 

 and thus at once take the grooves of the barrel when started by the explosion of the 

 powder. 



On the top of the greased wad pour a small quantity of melted beeswax, and before it 

 has cooled, place the bullet in the mouth of the case, and press it firmly down. The bullet 

 will be imbedded in and secured by the wax, and no choking or turning down of the case 

 will be required. 



Cartridges thus loaded will keep in almost any weather for a very long time. I should 

 mention that bullets are best made of hardened metal, T V of tin (by weight) being added to 

 the lead. 



If gun-cartridges are not reloaded, the brown sort will be found quite good enough 



For a six months' trip in the Himalayas I would advise that three hundred rifle and 

 two hundred shot cartridges should be taken. Nos. 4 and 6 shot are the most useful sizes. 



The allowance of rifle cartridges is a liberal one, and it is unlikely that so many would 

 be fired, but it is best to err on the safe side. 



Cartridges should be made up in packages of ten, sewn up in cloth or waterproof, the 

 gauge, &c, of the cartridge being written on each packet. 



KNIVES AND BELTS. 



Some writers have disparaged the use of hunting knives, apparently considering that 

 to wear one marks a man either as a foreigner or as a cockney sportsman. 



Having experienced the want of one at a time when it would have been invaluable, I 

 have been careful to carry one ever since ; and I strongly recommend every one who shoots 



