Eternal discussion, but some are for so fixated on the double rifles that they are hard to convince that they are using absolutely obsolete rifles and that they have to adapt their hunting to their rifles if they want to are successful in all cases.
By that reasoning, I should throw away my single-shot rifles as "obsolete." But I won't, because they are superbly accurate and I just plain enjoy hunting with them. More so than my bolt-actions, I might add. Sure, I have to adjust my hunting technique somewhat. But that's part of the challenge and the enjoyment derived therefrom.
As an aside, there is a separate hunting season in many places for "muzzleloader only" or sometimes called "primitive weapons" season. Those of my friends who hunt that season use cap-lock rifles, but I prefer a flintlock. I suppose that by your reasoning, I should only use a modern "inline" muzzleloader, built on a bolt-action receiver and using a #209 shotgun primer. No thanks, not for me.
You only have two shots and reloading quickly a double rifle is not easy, especially the heavy big bores.
Oh horse-feathers! If you grew up using a double shotgun then the reloading process becomes second nature. Same as when people argue about the supposed "difficulty" of adapting to two triggers on a SxS (rifle or shotgun). I will grant that there is an associated learning curve if the hunter has never used one, but that applies equally to any other mechanism (bolt, semi-auto, etc.).
One of the reasons I’m so interested in a DR is that I’ve shot so many thousands of rounds through a SxS shotgun. A double just jumps to my shoulder. In a dangerous situation I’m confident that muscle memory would be helpful.
Shotgun shooting is a high volume game. I doubt many people have put as many rounds through a bolt rifle as I have a SxS shotgun. And all of those were swing mount shoot not from a bench.
Agree completely. Familiarity and repetition breeds success.
If you want a double, and can afford a double, just get one.
And that's the bottom line. If you already have a capable bolt-action rifle, and can afford a quality double, why not buy it? Don't know about you, but the money in
my bank account was put there as a result of the sweat of
my brow; why shouldn't I have the opportunity to enjoy it as I see fit? Just be aware of the fine-points in purchasing a double.
