He is not shooting a shotgun. He is shooting what is called a "drilling". In the 19th century and early 20th century these guns were common in Africa. They are in essence double barrelled rifles. These were made to withstand the greater pressure of the rifle rounds used to hunt the "Big Five" in Africa. The actions of the time could not withstand the pressures of the rifle rounds that the drillings could. These guns are still made in Europe. This is not to say that the bolt action rifles used by other hunters in Africa were not adequate; they usually were. In fact, on a guided hunt during that period of time the hunter paying the guide used a bolt action rifle, and the guide, backing him up if the animal did not stop, used the drilling.

It is called a drilling because with a rifle, unlike a shotgun, precision placement is needed. The barrels are drilled so that at some point in the bullets' travel from the rifle, they each gradually turned inward to meet at 100 yds. or wherever the customer wanted them to meet. These are now very expensive weapons.

I hope this answered your question.

Thank you very much. This absolutely answered my question. Obviously I am more familiar with small game hunting than big. Definitely learned something here and appreciate your taking the time to explain it. I've probably watched this movie five times and never noticed this before.

Thank you for your kind words. It didn't take much time to do. This is one of the few subjects that I know something about. You would be surprised at how many people are not familiar with drillings.

You both are wrong. He was shooting a double rifle. A drilling consists of either one or two shotgun barrels with a single rifle barrel underneath — usually a fairly small caliber suitable only for small game. The rifle in the movie was most likely a .500 Nitro Express Double Rifle. I have actually hunted dangerous game in Africa on several occasions and have used a double rifle myself.

You are correct with regard to the drilling. I was writing that off the top of my head. I have since researched the drilling, and should have updated my answer. In any event, I believe I did refer to it as a double barralled rifle, and I believe I did properly characterize corretly the reason for this weapon and it's general use. I would hope that you would consider giving me partial credit, instead of stateing "You both are wrong".

Further, I don't see how the original poster could be wrong, when he or she is merely asking a question.

I stopped hunting mammals several years ago. I am curious as to why you chose to use a double rifle, when ammunition is now available in sufficient calibers in bolt action rifles, that hold a few more rounds with better sites than the double rifle e.g. .458 Winchester Magnum.

I apologize to the original poster for not doing my homework before answering your question. I should have just said that the weapon is a double rifle.

Original poster is not offended but does appreciate the knowledge you both have so willlingly shared about this rifle. This does lead to another question. How can this be as accurate as a single barrel rifle with the sight in the middle and the barrels on the sides? Why would one choose to use this over a single barreled rifle? Thanks.

I'm going to make a guess, never having used the weapon, but I don't think it could be as accurate as a single barrall rifle. It would be virtually the same as firing a slug from a double barralled shotgun (except the shotgun is not rifled.)

I don't think these rifles need to be as accurate, because you are usually firing the weapon at relatively short range at a large animal e.g., a charging elephant. I will stand by my original statement that, today, the double barralled rifle is a back up weapon.

Everyone is wrong. He is using a cape gun which is a side-by-side big game rifle. A drilling is a 3 barreled gun, normally 2 each 16 gauge with a rifle on top or bottom, from the german word drei for 3 or drilling for triplet. Also, a vierling is a 4 barrelled gun, 2 shotguns and 2 rifles, from the german word.... you guessed it, quadruplet. Not being a smarty but hope this helps.

Let’s stop being so challenging and cease attacking by stating – ‘you’re wrong.’ If you want to argue a point, it would be wise to keep the intended ears listening instead of walking away because of disrespect. Simply explain your point. Whether one calls it a ‘Cape Gun’ or a ‘double-whammie’ is not important as long as you are in accord with the fact that the weapon is a ‘double-barreled’ rifle. It doesn’t need much research to find that out on the internet or at your favorite bookstore.

By their very design, the two barrels of the double rifle must be aligned very precisely (but this does not mean in parallel) in order for the projectiles to strike at the same point of impact, or nearly so, at a given distance - usually not more than 300 meters (980 ft), and most often much less. The alignment of the barrels is done so that the two projectiles will actually converge at a specified distance, whatever is deemed best for the given caliber and expected range of the quarry. The additional trial-and-error shooting and barrel/powder-charge adjustments go on until the projectiles of both barrels finally strike the target within the builder's specified parameters. Once the builder deems the double rifle is properly "regulated," the metal "rib" is added between the barrels, permanently mating the barrels together. The builder will then specify the exact projectile weight and powder charge used to keep the barrels "in regulation," and this information will be stamped into the metal flats on the top of the frame, underneath the barrels. If, at some later point in time, the shooter of a double rifle chooses to use a bullet weight and/or powder charge that is different than what the firearm was originally regulated for, the firearm will most likely require re-regulation. During the barrel-regulation process, some double rifles will easily "fall into regulation," while others will require considerable time and effort to obtain proper regulation—which adds to the labor cost and overall expense of the firearm.
Regarding sights, many modern double rifles will accept mounts to fit a scoped sight, but most double rifles, particularly those used for dangerous game, are fitted with open sights because the preferred use of the double rifle is at shorter distances due to making best use of its muzzle energy thus most of the time is fired after quickly having to acquire the target to put it down; a point and fire mode much akin to ‘snap shooting’ in this case aimed from the shoulder.

The use of the double rifle at first was due to being able to handle larger caliber pressures given the design of the chamber versus bolt actions. Modern bolt rifles are just as robust handling most of the large pressured ballistics; the exceptions being the 600 and 700 Nitro Express rounds. It comes down mainly to the personal taste of each hunter anymore which type of rifle to use.