Gentlemen, you have things backwards! The scope on a "BIG" bore double is the sencondary sight, and is a special purpose sight. The rifle is carried with Iron sights, and the scope seperately. When the scope in needed for a long or difficult shot, the scope is attached. I don't know where the idea came from that a double rifle is only a short range rifle. It is quite common to be miles from your hunting vehicle, and your plains game rifle tracking a herd of Buffalo, and spot a Kudu of a life time, at 150-200 yds while carrying a 400- or 470NE double rifle. If you have the scope in your bag, it can be attached and that shot made quite eaisly. There is absolutely no reason a 470 cannot be as accurate as any other large bore rifle with a properly zeroed scope sight, and a shooter who knows his rifle. However if the shooter's eyesight is bad, the scope can be his primary sight as well, but that is not the only legitimate reason to have a scope available on any dangerous game rifle, regardless of type.