I just bought my first and second double rifle in the last 18 months. I looked at that Model Merkel and really liked it. I need a 16 LOP and Chapuis rifles get imported really long, I think many people have them shortened to length. So that's what I went with.

The 30-06 is a great cartridge but most purists lean towards rimmed cartridges, in for moose a 9.x74r would be perfect and you would not be over gunned with it for deer and bear.

I looked really hard at Verney-Carron rifles as well. I actually liked their action the best.

Shoot a few if you can before you buy, each one has it's own personality find what you like and leap.

Enjoy.