Over and Under rifles seem to be the stepchildren of the DR community, perhaps an outgrowth of the fact that the British gun industry never took to them with the zeal of their Continental cousins in preference to the SXS, and most collectors favor the British outlook on DRS. However, they are fine rifles.

Capt Curl and I both own Merkel 323E sidelock O/U, which rival a 'best' SXS in terms of quality --- build, engraving, balance, etc. Both are in 375H&H. I have several other O/U that function well and are very well done, mostly German or Austrian built.

The O/U is supposedly a bit slower to reload as the action must open more to allow access to the lower bbl. I have not found this to be significant in use at all. Another limitation on the O/U is real, the limitation on cartridge length that precludes chambering in anything much beyond the 375/9.3X74R length. Anything longer will require the opening to tilt down beyond a practical limit.

That said, and a limit on use for 'dangerous game' other than supposedly leopards (I don't know as I haven't tried and don't plan on it) the O/U will function just as well and just as easily as a SXS. Since upper and lower bbls are in the same vertical plane, you will find many more O/U scoped than a SXS as the scope can be easily zeroed for point of impact with a slight 'hold over' for the lower bbl. That will allow use, IMHO, at greater range than a SXS. (I have a Suhl-built pre-war O/U in 7.65R that is very accurate at 300yds and sighted in with a scope for that distance.)

Dave