Arizona, Shotguns are not double rifles, and there is a real reason to shoot a double barreled shotgun both ways! Firstly, a shotgun is not well enough regulated to make any difference, and secondly, most shotguns are choked differently in each barrel. With that thought in mind, if you are shooting birds that are comeing in to water, and a pair is flying together, you fire the left barrel first, because that barrel is usually choked tighter than the right barrel, this hits one of the birds farther out, and the other bird will slide in another 4 or 5 yds before he can vier off, so is closer when you fire on him, with the open choke. If, however, you are walking up birds, when they flush, you fire the right barrel first because the birds are closer, then follow up with a shot on the other bird with the tighter choke, be cause he will be farther out!

The double rifle, however, has the same "CHOKE" no matter the distance to the target, and the barrels are regulated very percicely! Anyone, who has shot a double rifle much, will know that the very thin barrels can be felt HEATING as soon as the bullet passes your forehand fingers. This heating in short order suddenly warps the fired barrel, but it also effects the barrel it is tied to, The effect of the warping of the right barrel determines to some extent, the cool left barrel's positioning in realtion to suddenly HOT right barrel. This doesn't effect all rifles the same, but some are effected enough to cause a different impact on the target at a distance, for the second shot. This is more important with longer range shots, as with the first, and second shots on an animal at say 75 yds for the first shot, and 80 to 90 yds for the second shot at a fleeing animal. It is true, that at a 10 yd charge, it makes no difference, because both shots are fired off the end of the barrels, but if you get into the habit of shooting rear trigger first, sooner or later you will gut shoot something, by doing that way on a longer shot as well, on something like a lion.

IMO, regardless what rifle you are shooting, you should learn to shoot one way, instinctively, and that requires doing it the same way every time without thinking. Anyone can learn to shoot a double rifle without getting an unintentional discharge. It is my contention, that this is the best way to do things with a double rifle, but others may do as it suits them. That right, however, doesn't mean the order of pulling triggers has no effect, on regulation, for the second barrel!

OPINION, be assured, and not binding on anyone not willing to heed good, and free advice!