Double Rifle Question- O/U or SXS?

[cal pappas]

Side by side is the only answer.
Your eyes are side by side.
When one's eyes evolve to one above the other then it is time for an o/u.
Cal

 

[fsrmg1]

Over the years I've gone through 6 SxS and 1 O/U double rifles. I still have one of each and I can tell you that all my SxS doubles took careful load development in order to shoot well, and shoot well they did. I could normally keep a composite group of both barrels inside 1 1/2" at 50 m.

My Beretta 9.3x74R O/U shoots virtually any load combination in it well and is the only double I've owned accurate enough for 250+ m shots. She is capable of dropping her bullets into 1" composite groups at 100 m without a lot of messing around. I also naturally shoot this rifle well and wish it was made in a larger calibre like a 405 Win, which would still keep the slim and trim feel of the rifle.

If you want a larger calibre than a 9.3mm, you're pretty much limited to a SxS. You also get the nostalgic effect of it.

I personally love the SxS, but when it comes time for serious hunting, I always grab my O/U.

 

[cal pappas]

Of course in my above post I was joking around a bit. You are right--without the regulation complexities that a sxs double has, the o/u is more accurate, no doubt. Or, at least easier to shoot an acceptable group. However, two barrels won't ever shoot as accurate as one barrel will and, within their range limitations (and the limitations of the shooter and open sights) a sxs works quite well.
Cheers,
Cal