2 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
The charge of powder in ordinary use for a No. 
16 bore (which carried an ounce spherical ball) was 
dram, and the sights were adjusted for a maximum 
range of 200 yards. Although at this distance con¬ 
siderable accuracy could be attained at the target upon 
a quiet day, it was difficult to shoot with any precision 
at an unmeasured range owing to the high trajectory 
of the bullet. Thus for sporting purposes it was ab¬ 
solutely essential that the hunter should be a first- 
rate judge of distance in order to adjust the sights 
as required by the occasion. It was accordingly 
rare to meet with a good rifle-shot fifty years ago. 
Rifle-shooting was not the amusement sought by 
Englishmen, although in Switzerland and Germany 
it was the ordinary pastime. In those countries 
the match-rifle was immensely heavy, weighing, in 
many instances, 16 lbs., although the bullet was 
exceedingly small. 
The idea of non-recoil was paramount as neces¬ 
sary to ensure accuracy. 
It will be at once perceived that the rifle was a 
most inferior weapon, failing through a low velocity, 
high trajectory, and weakness of penetration. 
In 1840, I had already devoted much attention 
to this subject, and I drew a plan for an experimental 
rifle to burn a charge of powder so large that it ap¬ 
peared preposterous to the professional opinions of 
the trade. I was convinced that accuracy could be 
combined with power, and that no power could be 
obtained without a corresponding expenditure of 
powder. Trajectory and force would depend upon 
