It would render it very unhandy,
and would also weaken the stock.
The sights should be of platinum at the muzzle, and blue steel,
with a platinum strip with a broad and deep letter V cut in the
breech-sights. In a gloomy forest it is frequently difficult to
catch the muzzle sight, unless it is of some bright metal, such
as silver or platinum; and a broad cut in the breech-sights, if
shaped as described, allows a rapid aim, and may be taken fine or
coarse at option.
The charge of powder must necessarily depend upon its strength.
For elephant-shooting, I always rise six drachms of the best
powder for the No. 10 rifles, and four drachms as the minimum
charge for deer and general shooting; the larger charge is then
unnecessary; it both wastes ammunition and alarms the country by
the loudness of the report.
There are several minutiae to be attended to in the sports of
Ceylon. The caps should always be carried in a shot-charger (one
of the common spring-lid chargers) and never be kept loose in the
pocket. The heat is so intense that the perspiration soaks
through everything, and so injures the caps that the very best
will frequently miss fire.
