The .30-06 is a great round, which explains why it remains popular for 100 years. It was the my first centerfire rifle and I still own one today. A 2x-7 scope is plenty of scope for someone accustomed to shooting out to 500, but I think a newer shooter will appreciate a little more magnification. Their learning curve will be better with the added magnification. Even though I love the 06, my personal favorite for a long shot is the .308.