The reasons given by most for a solid/soft combo in a double are IMO good ones. As I understand it in the case of the PH the soft solid combo would be ideal for stalking. You never know what may lurk in the next patch of cover, Just because your hunting one type of game doesn't preclude you from being charged or stalked by another, if your hunting buf and while stalking a lion charges your first shot would want to be a soft as you may not have the option of a second shot.

In a situation were you were stalking buff or any game that require the PH to carry solids only he would simply break the action and replace the soft with a solid once the stalk came to the point you were close in to the game you had been following. this of course was more a issue in the older days when day long stalks for long distances were more common.

This is the reasons giving by most I have spoke with or read of that carried a double with the soft/solid combo. It seams based in logic to me and if were to be in the bush for extended periods of time it would be my reason for this combo and IMO is one of the best real arguments for the double for a PH.

I of course would not at all feel less of a PH with a bolt rifle though, People tend to IMO put the spot light on an PH only in the charge ending situation, when IMO a good PH keeps his client out of a charge, I of course would also rather have a PH with any rifle the was a good shot over one with a double that wasn't.

James F. Nixon III