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 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 metres. A rifle is a firearm that uses a spiral groove cut into the barrel to spin a projectile (usually a bullet), thus improving accuracy and range of the projectile. ...

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 muzzle-loader.

dangerous game rifles came into play first and foremost for use in india,in the time of the british empire. the prime target was elephants.

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 (.89 of an inch) and these rifles were so powerfull that they could do harm to the user,if fired to many times in succession. But though generating tremendous power,their penetrative ability was low,due to the size of the projectile and its speed. One of the largest and most famed producer 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 holland & holland in 1902. this cartridge was developed to stop a 3 ton bull elephant in its tracks while on charge.

the double rifle is still in use today in africa,though is mainly a collected antique and pastime for many. prices can reach phenominal figures,and start at very large sums also.