Beauty is as beauty does.With the obvious accuracy potential of the gun and load who cares about the initial cost of the gun.It can only get better with adjustable sights.As for scopes it's false economy to spend a large amt. on the gun and go elcheapo on the glass.I'd take an average gun with excellant optics any day over the former.If you can't see it ,you can't hit it!Had a buddy who worked in a gun store that sold a Ruger77R to a fellow who upon returning with the gun to the store[fresh from the range]replied that he liked the gun but was having trouble sighting it in.The guy was actually looking through the 1" rings with no scope mounted and getting some of his bullets on paper @ 100yards!My friendgently implied that his groups would shrink if he added a scope.No kidding this really happened...........Harold