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Parallel trajectories.

As distance opens the group size, barrel spacing makes less of a difference.
Even at twenty yards the distance of a group's center from the sight line is irrelevant - the double rifle is a hunting rifle after all.

Furthermore there is no good reason to settle for poor accuracy around the build and accuracy of a double rifle. We've seen time and time again excellent field accuracy from these rifles, even from 150 year old guns.

And the notion that a double rifle is only a dangerous game gun or only a close quarters gun or only a gun for stopping charges etc is hogwash. We've seen front-loading double rifles in small calibers from early on which were obviously built for deer or smaller game, as well as cartridge double rifles in pea-size calibers for rook and small game through time to modern times with examples in rimfire and pistol cartridges and high intensity small bore cartridges for deer etc.

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Tinker, thanks. Some good discussion points.

When I refer to "long range" in my article above, I mean something like 200 yards or metres. Most hunting in within that sort of distance.

To me, very long range in the field is like 400 yards or metres. But in the past we did not have range findgers, trajectory calculators, wind meters etc.

Extreme long range shooting now adays of 800 metres to 1000 metres to me is not huntin. And not ethical for actual game hunting.

I know some of our members talk about 600 metre type shots, particularly in mountains etc. I suppose if I felt confidant on an extrmely expensive hunt in Kazahkstan or similar and that was the only shot, I might try it. But only if I was confident and had practiced. And not with a double rifle of course.

I plan to get my .30-06 barrels working on my Tikka. And give them a thorough go on paper at different ranges, once setup and with a suitable load.

I could try the 9.3x74R as well of course and why not. Except it has a more rainbow trajectory.

I think the sights on double rifles are one limiting factory for longer ranges. On vintage non scoped rifles, the shooting can only be as good as the usual open sights will perform.

If I can shoot my Tikka with a 12 gauge and .223 barrel, scoped, very accurately and at longer ranges in theory no reason why the same with two rifle barrels won't do the same. Especially if ONE barrel is relied upon more.

I am not confidant using my Jeffery .450 NE on longer medium ranges. O It shoots well enough for bovines and elephant, and I do hunt closely. I should try it out well at game paper targets at medium long ranges, to 200 yards, where a wounded beast is not at risk.