In picking out a scope for a ML:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/muzzleloading_scopes_price.htm

I like the Bushnell 3x9x40 Firefly with Rainguard with Leoupold QD mounts. Great for rain and low light conditions (heavy woods, pines, early am, pm).
Yes a regular scope will work for a ML, 2x7 and 3x9 and 2.5 to 7 are the preferred scope. Stong mounts, no over under, you won't ever use it and if you buy a Rainguard, you won't need it.

As for the 295 hollowpoint PB, there are better bullets out there for 1/2 the cost, you say your new to ML in another post,so you may not know the "PB issues", but I see your a Racked buck, so you have been around, maybe in the Rifle forum. That PB weight tends to fragment especially with bone hits, use a 348g AeroTip, is what I hear people saying >>AND<< don't drive them too hard. I don't know if 100g of777 is too hard or not, Sproulman I believe uses 80g and has good luck with that.If you google seach for "powerbelt breaks apart" or "powerbelt fragments" you will see some interesting stuff.

There are a couple of threads on this forum where we >>debated<< that bullet, I do not want to open that debate again, sinceit was covered very well, the pros and the cons of the bullet, when to use it in a given hunting situation were all covered. Here is the URL: http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1886707&mpage=1&key=&#188670 7

Oh there are profession ML editors andshooters like Toby Bridges, who say the exact same thing about PB fragmentation, here:
http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/feedback.html

and Randy Wakeman (some don't like his opinions, but he didn't get to be an Editor of a ML magazine but chance, it was by hard work and knowledge):
http://www.chuckhawks.com/powerbelt_bullets.htm

If you want an easy loading PB like bullet that doesn't break apart then try the Harvester SabreTooth:
http://www.harvesterbullets.com/loadSaber.htm

Toby writes about them in his article. I hope these tips help you make your scope, load and bullet decision.

Chap Gleason Va