130 
WILD BLASTS AND THEIR WAYS 
CHAP. 
lbs., with a solid 650 grain hard bullet, and at the 
least 6 drams of powder. I impress this upon all 
who challenge the dangers of the chase in tropical 
climates. No person of average strength will feel 
the weight of a 12 lb. rifle when accustomed to its 
use. Although this is too small as a rule for heavy 
game, it is a powerful weapon when the bullet is 
hardened by a tough mixture of antimony or quick¬ 
silver. A shoulder shot from such a rifle will kill 
any animal less than an elephant, and the front 
shot, or temple, or behind the ear, will kill any 
Asiatic elephant. 
I would not recommend so small a bore for heavy 
thick-skinned game, but the *577 rifle is a good 
protector, and you need not fear any animal in your 
rambles through the forest when thus armed, where¬ 
as the *450 and even the *500 would be of little use 
against a charging buffalo. 
At the same time it must be distinctly understood 
that so light a projectile as 650 grains will not break 
the bone of an elephant’s leg, neither will it penetrate 
the skull of a rhinoceros unless just behind the ear. 
This is sufficient to establish the inferiority of small- 
bores. 
. I have seen in a life’s experience the extraordinary 
vagaries of rifle bullets, and for close ranges of 
20 yards there is nothing, in my opinion, 
superior to the old spherical hardened bullet with 
a heavy charge of powder. The friction is mini¬ 
mised, the velocity is accordingly increased, and 
the hard round bullet neither deflects nor alters its 
