Gdub,
I used to be a strict walnut/blue man but have recently gone to the 'dark side' of ugly, truck guns.
Still have a soft spot in my heart for beautiful rifles and I'll NEVER tire of seeing that Merkel...
I live and hunt in mostly arid terrain and could certainly get by with a 'looker'. Perhaps someday I'll get me a Merkel or Sako Bavarian or such just for S&G...
TIll then I'll live vicariously through yours while schlepping the ugly stepsisters (700's and T3's)...