Smellydog
Well-Known Member
I'll phone a friend on that one....
Alexander Graham Bell’s view on calibres
- Thread starter Heym SR20
- Start date
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
Very close, the closer the better.
So how does this discussion go if you start to stretch the range?
Presumably the capacity of something like a .275 to penetrate an elephant skull drops off quite fast with distance?
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
Bell preferred the shot from in front, through the nasal passages indicated by the boss on the top of the trunk. 10 to 15 paces he stated gave him the correct angle, this meant he didn't have to penetrate the skull bone itself.
He also favoured the base of the skull from behind at retreating animals, this particular shot needs to traverse the neck muscles to reach the brain. Although 275Rigby was his favourite round,he stated that 318 Mauser was best for this particular shot.
The man was a superb marksman,as his exploits prove. He used 256 Mannlicher a lot but abandoned it as the ammunition kept letting him down,not by its performance but by case's splitting at the neck and jamming his weapon. A legend within African hunting circles.
He also favoured the base of the skull from behind at retreating animals, this particular shot needs to traverse the neck muscles to reach the brain. Although 275Rigby was his favourite round,he stated that 318 Mauser was best for this particular shot.
The man was a superb marksman,as his exploits prove. He used 256 Mannlicher a lot but abandoned it as the ammunition kept letting him down,not by its performance but by case's splitting at the neck and jamming his weapon. A legend within African hunting circles.
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
Correct, service 303 , which them days was 215 round nose. Likewise 318 Mauser, not 323 with spitzer nose and boat tail. Most of his hunting was pre WW1.
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