Double rifle

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A double rifle is a type of rifle with two barrels instead of one. In general, double rifles are more expensive and release much more recoil. Because of their ability to fire two quick shots, double rifles are often used to hunt dangerous game in Africa, and previously also in India. The double-barreled express rifle is particularly difficult to make, as both barrels must graduate very precisely in order for the projectile to hit an exact same spot at a given distance, usually not more than 300 meters.

The double rifle first appeared early in the 19th century, due to a need for a rifle capable of firing more than one shot, which was all the more slow as this was during the period of the muzzleloader.

Dangerous game rifles came into play first and foremost for use in India in the time of the British Empire. The prime target was elephant.

At first, rifles were black powder, using very large cartridges producing large amounts of smoke. These became very large indeed, arriving at the calibre of 4-bore (1.052 inches). These rifles were so powerful that they could do harm to the user if fired too many times in succession. Though generating tremendous power, their penetrative ability was low, due to the size of the projectile and its relatively low velocity. One of the largest and most famed producers of these rifles being W. W. Greener.

At the turn of the 20th century, black powder was replaced by cordite, or smokeless powder. This enabled smaller, faster cartridges to be produced, and rifles to be designed for them and their higher chamber pressures.

This culminated in the production of the famed .600 Nitro Express rifle, developed by the famous company of W. J. Jeffery in 1902. This cartridge was developed to stop a 6 ton bull elephant in its tracks while on charge.

The double rifle is still in use today in Africa, though it is mainly a collected antique and pastime for many. Prices can reach phenomenal figures.