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The great advantages of having a "repeater" over a single barrelled rifle are so obvious, before the invention of true "repeater" rifles.
As has been said above many early DRs were in medium sized calibres for medium sized game.
With more modern bolt action (and other) designs in smaller and medium calibres offering multiple shots, the DR in heavy calibres came into its own where the second shot being instantly available became more important for dangerous game hunting. The reason they are again growing in popularity today with 'relatively' cheaper modern made DRs available to the average 'heeled' hunter.
Still haven't been replaced as an ideal for close fast hunting of running game, with the balance of a shotgun, or for closer action on dangerous game.
JMOs.
Great thread and comments in the thread above.
All true, and in fact the calibers we consider as medium size today were considered small bore at the turn of the 20th century, and that included cartridges up to and including 500 caliber. Aas NitroX, says the double rifle was a God send to hunters in driven boar, and deer hunts, as was the double shotgun, for driven birds. Many people bought the double rifles like the 500/450#1 express, in pairs, and use loders to re-load for them on these driven hunts. Fire two rounds, trade rifles, fire two more, trade again! Talk about a repeater! I'm lucky enough to have a Westley Richards S/S hammerless double rifle, sold out of the London store in 1892, and chambered for the 500/450#1 express, with selective ejectors, and rifled with Newton rifleing that almost looks worn out, but was designed for paper patch lead 300 gr bullets.
That little rifle shoots very well, and is a real wild boar rifle, for our abundant Russian wild boar, and deer populations! Fun rifles all! 
Mac >>>===(x)===>
DRSS
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Re: Origins of the Double Rifle??