How many PH's are actually using double rifles?

[Mtn_Infantry]

Both Zim PH’s I’ve hunted with carried bolt guns. One was a 500 Jeffery.

All 3 Namibian PH’s carried bolt guns. 2 were 458 Lotts and 1 was an old 458WM that he used shooting elephants for the Government.

All 4 of the PH’s on my RSA DG Hunts carried Bolt Guns. 1-458WM, 1-Pre64 375, 1-416 Rem, and 1-458 Lott

I had a PG PH in Limpopo who carried a KGun DR in 470 while bushbuck hunting along the Limpopo River. He had a couple previous issues with a very specific bull hippo. Before he bought that gun, he carried a No 1 on 416 that his son (also a PH) was now using.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I'm a rookie but here is my experience with PH guns in the last 4 years.
I carry a scoped 375 ruger Alaskan scoped with a leopold 2-7x33 with 260gr nosler acubonds for accuracy, and 300gr for bigger plains game. (Giraffe, Eland etc.)
On DG hunts I use a 416 ruger Alaskan open sighted rifle (muscle memory having the same stocks). Most PH's order this gun after working with it, so its the fit and nearly no felt recoil that hooks them...I presume. Ammo is also cheap and has the traits of a good DG bolt action. Maser type action with the claw extractor. Its short, light and looks like a working gun. They're also cheap compared to other rifles.
I find doubles very heavy and you only have 2 shots and some have heavy recoil, which can make a difference on charges.
Most PH's I've seen use CZ 550, Winchester, BRUNO bolt actions and the answer is the same...I have a 3rd of 4th shot when I need it.
Devils advocate: If a bolt jams or fails...you're done...a double has a second clean barrel.

Kind regards and just my 2c.
Peet

What country are you in, it makes a difference.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Good afternoon gents,

I just had a generic question that I hope I can get feedback primarily from active guides and PH's.

Do you carry a double or have you moved to a bolt gun or do you go back and forth?

What caliber are you carrying on a daily basis?

I know there are a lot of opinions out there but I am looking for some straight forward answers from the guys in the ground.

Cheers

4 of the 6 PHs that we use, use double rifle all 470 evans, gibbs, heym & chapuis.

 

[Bullhunter]

The most (so called) PHs I meet:
- Dont have the expierience/connections with doubles
- Dont have the money (10 k up) to buy a good one

Of course there are some exeptions, like "the star PHs" or some "true gentleman" (like Lon here, he has some of the greates rifles Ive ever seen, some real collector rifles).