droplock101,

Ok you called my hand on that one. I made a categorical statement which doesn't apply across the board.

Like you, I hunt with my better stuff. I'm pretty careful with it, that's for sure.

We had a heck of a cold snap during deer season in November, 2005. I recall one Saturday morning I met a friend before daylight. It was 12 degrees F. There was about 4 inches of snow on the ground at the top of the mountain where we went to hunt. We got on the ground about 6:00 a.m. well before first light. I was hunting with my Merkel .500NE (I know, a bit overkill for a white tail deer). While easing through the woods to my stand, in the pre-dawn darkness my foot came down on a slick tree branch under the snow. It was one of those instances where your feet come out from under you in an instant. I hit the rocky ground hard. I'm usually good at protecting a rifle in a slip like that, but not that day. The Merkel had a good whack on the ground and still wears the marks. Had it been one of my best guns I would have been terribly put out. As it was, I got up, dusted the snow off me and the Merkel, and went on my way.

My point is, I'm much more care-free with the Merkel than with a vintage Brit DR.

Still, I appreciate your point. I do agree.

Best,
Curl