It seems the ideal double for hunting the States is the gun that you primarily use on BIG stuff, also the stuff that could hurt back. Such as Grizzly, Brown Bear, Mountain Lion, Big Boars or even Moose. This gun could be used on deer or black bear or smaller hogs too. But I think for shooting from mountain side to mountain side---you know, those LONG shots out west---you are talking a different gun.

Like many people here on this forum agree: there is NOT one gun that can do it all unless you are talking perhaps about a gun with three or four barrel sets and even then it is a stretch. But an idea double for hunting in the US is a big bore gun for big animals or animals that charge and you want stopping capability as opposed to long range attributes. (For those long range shots get a single shot or bolt, anything from a high wall to a mannlicher), but let's face it that long range shooting is not ideally double territory anyway so why not focus on what doubles are primarily designed for: 0-100 yards. Stopping pwoer with the quickest second shot of any gun. Ergo that means asking oneself what game would you really be hunting in the states at those distances? Regardless of the continent it still spells dangerous game or the big game similar to those mentioned.

I prefer the idea of a bigger verses smaller round for doubles. Sure I may often hunt deer with a "little" 243 but that is a different kind of hunting. When a person says double hunting I instinctively think: bang bang stopping power. Why would I need that second quick shot unless I wanted two barrels full of maximum and instant taming capability of something that could hurt me back. So, I would vote for a big double even here in the States because the primary uses here would still be to stop the big ugly ones. IMHO. Sure I might take it out to shoot a big ole buck too, but that is a secondary useage. IMHO.