Kodiak,

Hunting season is a ways off.
You' ve described your hunting as pretty short range.
Use the iron sights until you can bank enough for a worthy scope and mounts.

Choice of scope is equally important as the choice of rifle.
You' ve seen the scope polls..... heart break at the moment of truth.
Don' t put a $5 saddle on a $1,000 horse! False economy.

There is no short cut. $5000 hunting trip hinging on a $60 glass? Give me iron sights. At least the iron sights won' t let you down.

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM