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A lot of these articles are written often by quite un-intelligent people. Who lack simple logic in putting together an argument with supporting facts.

Not particularly referring to the writer of this article but similar articles ad naseum in the past.

"Recoil"? Recoil is completely irrelevant to the argument. If one assume a cartridge of similar power and recoil is used in both types of rifles, why would a double suffer more than recoil than a bolt action? Stupid lack of logic. Some of these writers on this argument, argue recovery from recoil means a double is slower than a bolt action because of recoil! Obviously the writer is probably referring to his lack of experience in shooting say a .500 Nitro double versus a .375 H&H Mag bolt action. Or some such. If one took say a .500 NE in a double and a .500 Jeffery in a bolt and if loaded to similar ballistics, and if the weight of each rifle was similar, no difference whatsoever in recoul recovery OTHER than fit of the rifle. Where often the double is superior.

Secondly as any experienced shooter knows, recoil is often not a huge factor when actually hunting. What is punishing at a range, is hardly felt in the field.

Experience. Is the shooter actually experienced in the rifles he is using. Or another armchair internet expert sprouting off. On forums we are all sometimes guilty of the latter now and again. We all wish we could be in the field hunting a lot more, and using our firearms a lot more. Also the modern "collection" mentality means often we have twelve guns to the one which is actually needed. "Fear the one gun hunter" was a saying once upon a time. Because he is very experienced in its use. If he uses it a lot.

Having said that, if a person is experienced with both a double rifle and a bolt rifle, there is no doubt whatsoever than the experienced shooter and hunter will shoot two rounds from his double rifle than with a bolt rifle. And for four or five rounds, the bolt rifle should be able to shoot faster.

Is the bolt rifle shooter dropping his rifle down to the waist to work the bolt? A very common method of so many inexperienced and even experienced shooters. PRACTICE reloading a bolt action at the shoulder until it is second nature. Forget about locating brass for reloading until afterwards. A double rifle needs never to be dropped from the shoulder to shoot a second shot.

And if we take the example of Alex Beer ising big bore single shots, he was practiced enough to win rapid fire eight shot competitions with his rifle. When many of us, have trouble putting accurate rapid fire rounds down in the time period, with bolts, having to reload the magazine half way through. Practice, experience and cool headedness makes a big difference.

Shooting in herd conditions? I was able to shoot multiple buffalo in culls using my Tikka 9.3x74R. Cows and younger bulls. Shooting one, then another. I did have a spotter advising me to go back and reshoot one of the earlier animals if it got up again. And after every two shots, open the action, the automatic ejectors throwing the shells over my shoulder, reloading and rapidly shooting two rounds again.

Another time, three years ago, shooting a wounded bull, and missing it, encouraged a charge. The second barrel had no seeming effect. Empty double. Ducked behind a tree expecting big trouble. But luckily the second shot must have effected a turn in the bull and he went past instead of chasing me around the tree. Another round in him as he ran past. I found him dead after an extensive search later one. Recorded elsewhere on the forums.

Now I could have wished for a bolt action when my rifle was empty. Could have been in big trouble.

But also it again reinforced to me a lesson. To wait in a charge for the bull to be a lot closer. Successful shooters will often wait for it to get a lot closer to put in a good shot, than shoot at a distance. Tough thing to do, but also easier to blast away multiple shots hoping for a result. Only experience and practice in running and charging shots (or luck) counts here.

Reloading fast? A bolt action with a removable spare magazine, can be reloaded very fast. Double rifle shooters who shoot a lot often have aids to help fast reloading. A wrist cartridge carrier puts spare rounds in a readily accessible place. Or a cartridge belt or pouch without a flap on top of the loops.

The place where a big bore double is ALWAYS better is in the very thick bush. When one can trip over a downed beastie before one even sees it ... A bolt action will NOT get two rounds off in such a situation, but a double can.

A bolt action is often preferred in more open country, where many shooters shoot them more accurately than they can a double rifle.

I like and use both. I always prefer my .450 NE double rifle to a bolt action for buffalo, elephant, other bovines though. More open country where plains game and perhaps some dangerous game might be hunted, I prefer a scope sighted bolt action. Maybe with the right double rifle if fitted with a scope, and able to be shot at longer medium ranges, it would be very usuable as well.

These articles shoudl stress one factor far more than simplistic comparisons. Learn to use your chosen rifle, and use it a lot. So it can be used well.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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