"Double Deuce" 2-Bore Rifle: A Gunsmithing Spectacle
Single Shot Rifles
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7m 58s
The largest sporting rifles ever actually used in the field as more than an exhibition were 4-bore stopping rifles, firing roughly 1" in diameter (25mm) projectiles. These were intended to not simply kill a dangerous animal, but to stop it immediately in a charge, which might require shooting through thick bone or horn protection. For that purpose, the 4-bore could have some value - assuming you had an assistant to carry it when danger was not imminent!
However, there have been a number of gunsmiths who have built 2-bore rifles, like this example named "Double Deuce" by its maker, Stolzer & Son of Kansas. At 44 pounds, this behemoth is definitely too heavy for practical use, but it sure is an impressively huge piece of work! It fires a 1.33" (33.8mm) ball weighing 3500gr (227g) at about 1250fps (380 m/s)...if you can hold it on target long enough to get an accurate shot.
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