Wild Beasts and their Ways, vol 1 | Page 7

guns, varying in their characters
almost as much as human beings, he should never listen to the advice
of the manufacturer until he has asked himself what he really requires.
There are many things to be considered before an order should be
positively given. What is the rifle wanted for? What is the personal
strength of the purchaser? In what portion of the world is he going to
shoot? Will he be on foot, or will he shoot from horseback or from an
elephant? Will the game be dangerous, or will it be confined to deer,
etc.?
Not only the weapon but the ammunition will depend upon a reply to
these questions, and the purchaser should strongly resist the delusion
that any one particular description will be perfect as a so-called general
rifle. You may as well expect one kind of horse or one pattern of ship
to combine all the requirements of locomotion as to suppose that a
particular rifle will suit every variety of game or condition of locality.
In South Africa accuracy is necessary at extremely long ranges for the
open plains, where antelopes in vast herds are difficult of approach. In
Indian jungles the game is seldom seen beyond fifty or sixty yards. In
America the stalking among the mountains is similar to that of the
Scottish Highlands, but upon a larger scale. In Central Africa the
distances are as uncertain as the quality of the animals that may be
encountered.
Upon the level plains of India, where the blackbuck forms the main

object of pursuit, extreme accuracy and long range combined are
necessary, with a hollow Express bullet that will not pass through the
body. How is it possible that any one peculiar form of rifle can
combine all these requirements? Rifles must be specially adapted for
the animals against which they are to be directed. I have nothing to do
with the purse, but I confine my remarks to the weapons and the game,
and I shall avoid technical expressions.
The generally recognised small-bores, all of which are termed
"Express" from the large charge of powder, are as follow:--
Small-bore Charge of Large- Charge of For all Game Express. Powder.
bores. Powder. such as*
'577 6 1/2 drams 4 bore 14 drams Elephants. '500 5 1/2 " 8 " 14 "
Rhinoceros. '450 5 " 10 " 12 " Buffaloes. '400 4 " 12 " 10 " '360 Toys.
'295 Toys.
The two latter rifles, '360 and '295, are charming additions, and
although capable of killing deer are only to be recommended as
companions for a stroll but not to be classed as sporting rifles for
ordinary game. They are marvellously accurate, and afford great
satisfaction for shooting small animals and birds. The '360 may be used
for shooting black-buck, but I should not recommend it if the hunter
possesses a '400.
It would be impossible to offer advice that would suit all persons. I can
therefore only give a person opinion according to my own experience.
For all animals above the size of a fallow deer and below that of a
buffalo I prefer the '577 solid Express--648 grains solid bullet,--6
drams powder not 6 1/2, as the charge of only 6 drams produces greater
accuracy at long ranges.
The weight of this rifle should be 11 1/2 lbs., or not exceeding 12 lbs.
For smaller game, from fallow deer downwards, I prefer the '400
Express with a charge of from 85 grains to 4 drams of powder--solid
bullet, excepting the case of black-buck, where, on account of

numerous villages on the plains, it is necessary that the bullet should
not pass through the body. The important question of weight is much in
favour of the '400, as great power and velocity are obtained by a
weapon of only 8 1/2 lbs.
I should therefore limit my battery to one '577, one '400, and one
Paradox No. 12, for ordinary game in India, as elephants and other of
the larger animals require special outfit. The Paradox*, invented by
Colonel Fosberry and manufactured by Messrs. Holland and Holland of
Bond Street, is a most useful weapon, as it combines the shot-gun with
a rifle that is wonderfully accurate within a range of 100 yards. (* Since
this was written Messrs. Holland have succeeded after lengthened
experiments in producing a Paradox No. 8, which burns 10 drams of
powder, and carries a very heavy bullet with extreme accuracy. This
will be a new departure in weapons for heavy game.)
It is a smooth-bore slightly choked, but severely rifled for only 1 1/2
inch in length from the muzzle. This gives the spin to the projectile
sufficient to ensure accuracy at the distance mentioned.
The No. 12 Paradox weighs 84 lbs. and carries a bullet of 1 3/4