.450” small bore? In the days of black powder it was. But the logic behind a .450” in 1885 and a .303 today is the same, flatter trajectory. The real question begs, why a double? .577” or .303 – the answer remains the same; the double is the ultimate expression of the rifleman's rifle, the gunmakers art and the fine collector.

I doubt there is a single rifle that can do it all – a 9 Lbs 450-400 may come close - but, this gives rise to a collection of rifles: a small, medium and large bore. It's the reason I have decided to sell one of my large bores in favor of a small bore.