I 
THE RIFLE OF A PAST HALF CENTURY 
17 
requires the bullet. He should ask himself the 
questions—What is a bullet ? ” and “ What is the 
duty of a bullet ? ” 
A bullet is generally supposed to be a projectile 
capable of retaining its component parts in their 
integrity. The duty of the bullet is to preserve its 
direct course; it should possess a power of great 
penetration, should not be easily deflected, and 
together with penetrating power it should produce a 
stunning effect by an overpowering striking energy. 
How are we to combine these qualities If the 
projectile has great penetrating force it will pass 
completely through an animal, and the striking 
energy will be diminished, as the force that should 
have been expended upon the body is expending 
itself in propelling the bullet after it has passed 
through the body. This must be wrong, as it is 
self-evident that the striking energy or knock-down 
blow must depend upon the resistance which the 
body offers to the projectile. If the bullet remains 
within it, the striking energy, complete and entire, 
without any waste whatever, remains within the body 
struck. If, therefore, a bullet *577 of 648 grains 
propelled by 6 drams of powder has at fifty yards 
a striking energy of 3500 foot pounds, that force is 
expended upon the object struck,—provided it is 
stopped by the opposing body. 
We should therefore endeavour to prevent the 
bullet from passing through an animal, if it is neces¬ 
sary to concentrate the full power of the projectile 
upon the resisting body. 
VOL. I 
c 
