hoppdoc,

Like many others, I prefer the SxS, for its traditional style, if for no other reason.

However, for many years my "go to" double rifle was a Valmet 412 in .30-06. It was scoped with a fixed 4x, and I want you to know IT WAS DEADLY!

I passed the Valmet along some years ago, but still sometimes think I should have kept it. If it had been a 9.3x74R I think I would have kept it for sure.

I still have one O/U double rifle, and a fine one indeed. It is a very high grade Merkel 323E in .375 H&H (gasp!).

This rifle is handy, quick, and well balanced. Workmanship is impeccable. It is a best gun in every sense of the word. But it is an O/U, so not much in favor.

My point is - there are a lot of fine O/U's out there ready to do yeoman service. You can usually buy one for less than a comparable SxS. Being "in favor" is a factor of opinion. What it feels like in the hand is founded in reality!

One of our prominent members, 4seventy, has the guts and gumption to stand behind an O/U. Maybe he will comment here.

One last comment: I would certainly stick with double triggers, whether in a SxS or an O/U. In fact, I replaced the single trigger in my Valmet with their double trigger assembly. A double rifle should have two triggers.

Curl