H 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
hardened metal, and it retains its figure even after 
striking a tough hide and bones. The advantage 
of such a gun is obvious, as it enables a charge of 
buck-shot to be carried in the left barrel, while the 
right is loaded with a heavy bullet that is an admir¬ 
able bone-smasher ; it also supersedes the necessity 
of an extra gun for small game, as it shoots No. 6 
shot with equal pattern to the best cylinder-bored 
gun. 
There are many persons who prefer a *500 or a 
*450 Express to the ‘577 or the *400. I have 
nothing to say against them, but I prefer those I 
have named, as the *577 is the most fatal weapon 
that I have ever used, and with 6 or 6^ drams of 
powder it is quite equal to any animal in creation, 
provided the shot is behind the shoulder. This 
provision explains my reason for insisting that all 
animals from a buffalo upwards should be placed in 
a separate category, as it is frequently impossible to 
obtain a shoulder shot, therefore the rifles for ex¬ 
ceedingly heavy game must be specially adapted for 
the work required, so as to command them in every 
conceivable position. 
I have shot with every size of rifle from a half- 
pounder explosive shell, and I do not think any 
larger bore is actually necessary than a No. 8, with 
a charge of 12 or 14 drams of powder. Such a 
rifle should weigh 15 lbs., and the projectile would 
weigh 3 ounces of hardened metal. 
The rifles that I have enumerated would be all 
double, but should the elephant - hunter desire 
