Among PHs the choice between Doubles and Bolts is determined by essentially 2 factors.

1. The animals and terrain in which they hunt. There's a world of difference between playing tag with bull elephant in Chewore's thick jess vs chasing springbok in the Namib. I would expect to see many more doubles in the former circumstance.

2. Money. Most PHs are not independently wealthy, so tend to start their career with the best bolt they can afford. Often they'll upgrade to a double as finances permit, though it still would depend on what and where they usually hunt, as mentioned above.

As for clients, well, on my first "general bag" safari I used a 375 bolt on everything. It worked perfectly for all, including lion and 2 buff.
But when I went back to Africa in search of elephant I took a 470 double, which I carried, and a 416 RSM, carried by a tracker. It was purely an emotional choice. I decided that I was likely to kill only one elephant in my lifetime, and wanted to do so in the romantic, traditional style. I'm glad I did.

I think it's that certain something about the double that drives most of those clients who take them hunting. It's the same appeal as taking a deer with a flintlock. Doing it the way it used to be done. Nothing quite like it.

As for me, when I go back.......well, there's defintely a No 1 in 450/400 in my future!

SOS