152 
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION 
The selection of guns is a serious matter on a trip of this kind. 
Very often a man’s life depends entirely on the accuracy and perfec¬ 
tion of this part of the equipment. A defective lock or weak ejector 
has cost more than one life in the jungle. Most hunters of late years 
have taken the following assortment: First and most important, of 
course, is the heavy double barrel .450 (45/100-inch) express rifle, 
using cordite and usually either soft-nose or explosive bullets. This 
rifle is used for the largest game, such as elephant, rhinoceros, hippo¬ 
potamus, etc., when the range is not too great. Next come the lighter 
guns with smaller bore and greater range. Many hunters prefer the 
Mannlicher sporting rifle of eight or nine millimeters bore (about as 
large as a drawing crayon, 33/100 and 35/100 of an inch). Others 
prefer the Winchester. Mr. Roosevelt has used the latter in most of 
his work. These smaller bore rifles are very useful for the fleet 
antelope family, zebra, giraffe and the wary and easily frightened 
gazelles or smaller antelopes. Their range is greater than that of the 
express and a kill can be made at 1,000 yards or more. In addition 
to these weapons, a 12-bore repeating shot gun and a service revolver 
usually suffice to complete the list. 
Alterations in guns are sometimes necessary. For instance, Mr. 
Roosevelt is said to be somewhat color blind. In trying out his rifles 
it was found that with the regulation gun metal sight he was rather 
a poor marksman, but when a pink bead had been substituted for this 
his targets were remarkably good. 
