RE: Is this a decent deal?
Bugs did you kiss him? lol you certainly got a deal on that one, good goin. As for the "best" load it likes, the 180s are fine for hunting but if you just want to see what the gun is capable of try some SST Light Mags or 165 Sierra Boat Tails from Federal Premium, I have yet to see the 06 that wouldn't shoot those two loads under 1".
Good luck and enjoy,
RA
ps
And the R3 pad is GREAT! I have bought about 7-8 of them (R3s for the Remsand Sims for non Rems) for various guns of mine and love them.