One of the things that I like about .308 Win is that it is an inherently accurate cartridge and fun to shoot. You don't have to muzzle brake it which means your ears will last longer. Heavens, if I had access to a 1000 yard range here in the cornstalks, I would get back into reloading and go pop some caps. I wouldn't hesitate to start with a decent 3x9 scope and see how it treats you. We were trained to hit at 500 meters, iron sight M16 so you could get much further with a scoped rig! A lower power scope on the bottom end would give you a wide field of view for hunting close shots as well. Our units used the old 3x9 Redfields in the 70's, but Uncle Sam has gotten more exotic opitcs these days. Anyway, you wouldn't need a second mortgage that way.