American hunters crave accuracy and velocity. The double rifle delivers neither, at least not to the degree that most of us desire. First, there’s the practical impossibility of getting both barrels to shoot absolutely parallel. The bullet paths must either diverge slightly. Or, must converge, meaning the bullet paths will cross at some point, and then drift apart.
When it comes to velocity, break-open actions are not strong, naturally trying to unhinge with each shot. At its best, and for most lasting use, a double rifle needs to be chambered to cartridges with breech pressures in the 40,000 PSI range, about a third less pressure than our fast magnums.
Then, there’s that pesky issue of weak primary extraction. Doubles are most reliable with rimmed cartridges, so the extractor/ejector can get…
