Walsingham preferred cylinder bored guns - but remember these were properly regulated Purdeys that would have been patterened carefully before being released for use, not just straight tubes. Ripon had a pair of Purdeys re-barrelled in 1909 with Whitworth steel and extra full choke in all barrels. He used these where they were needed but also kept and used more open choked guns.
I find very few guns which actually measure as true 'Cylinder' bores. Most have at least 3 points of choke, unless someone has lapped the pits out and forgotten to stop when he gets to the choke section!
I use a gun wit 3 points of choke in one barrel and seven in the other with good results for all my game shooting, including what most would consider 'tall' pheasants.
