foxfire,

The Zeiss is the same one I have on my Merkel 375H&H.
Mine is in claw mounts.

Yes, I think you did get lucky but as you said so well,
"I did my home work and took all the information I could handle
and funneled it in and out as needed."

7x65R - Have you shot this much ? - it's a great calibre for a light
double - vastly unutilised except in Europe. Will probably gain in
popularity with the number of lower end (price) doubles coming
on the market.

As I said before, I think you went about it the right way and
exactly how I suggest to people they go about it.

I find so many people focus on price and always waiting for
"that once in a lifetime bargain" that they miss out or end up
buying the wrong gun based on it's price, not on the other
(IMHO) "more important factors"

I just picked up a SxS Scoped Double which I was going to buy
about 3 - 4 years ago but a mate wanted it so let him buy it.
He just decided to sell it and I had first option on it (for obvious
reasons) and so I bought it. All good things come to those who
wait !!!

So now I have another DR to play with in a previously unowned
calibre. At least I know this gun shoots great so not much playing
around.

Anyway, good luck on your hunt. What are you hunting and which
barrels are you taking ?

500 Nitro