I must admit I like the looks and handling of a SxS and agree that reloading the U/O is a lot slower, not the least because of the Kirsten cross bolt extensions.

BUT in a non DG rifle having the two barrels in the same vertical alignment is an advantage - for example my 243 Merkel regulates with 100gn projectiles with the scope on but also puts a 70gn projectile into the same group at 100m and a bit higher at 200m. This means I can use lightly constructed 70gn projectiles on rabbits and crows out to 300m with less worry about ricochets (?sp) and change to 100gn projectiles if a goat or pig puts his head up.

I'm currently tryin to set up my 375 H&H Belted Brno to shoot 350gn Woodleighs with the open sights and 250grainers from the upper barrel with the 4x scope. If the gods were being really friendly it might regulate 350gn projectiles with both the scope and iron sights, but I doubt it - the scopes makes 300gn projectiles cross badly while I get 2" groups at 50m with open sights and velocities between 2400 and 2550fps.

The U/O means that the scope is on in the horizontal plane at all ranges.

mike