Mac,

I think the basic difference is that with a Dakota, gunsmith custom, custom shop Wby etc and etc the shooter, rightly or wrongly, believes he is buying high levels of accuracy. He also believes he is buying total reliability and also a gun that can do hust about everything.

Also, he does not see the double as a gun that he will stick a 4-12 scope on.

Another factor is that for the price of a Searcy/Merkel etc or a vintage double then with the exception of wood bolt guns from the likes of Echols and Miller and of course H&H, Purdey and WR, the shooter can buy right at the top end of the bolt gun as opposed to what might be seen as an entry level double.

I have never shot the big animals but I don't need to shoot them to know that about all the pluses a big bore custom bolt offers just about go out the window.

I also believe that if you are really keen on a type of rifle and calibre then you will be lead or gravitate to hunting and shooting situations that suit your choice of calibre/gun type.

Mike