Many of you have passionately suggested your favorite caliber. Most have made their suggestions based on my already owning an -06. For that, I give you many thanks. I think the advice I needed to hear (but didn't really want to), is that I need to quit day dreaming about more guns and work with what I have. -06 ammo is much cheaper than all the rest of the calibers mentioned here, so I should be grateful for that. Its time I get my punk @$$ to the long-distance ranges and start on my targets at 300 yards.

Perhaps I should repost this in the Optics forum, but since we're here and have context, what do you think of the Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x50 with the B&C Big Game recticle?I don't have any reason for choosing that, other than it looks good to me. Is the 50mm objective lens a waste of weight or will it really benefit in those low light conditions at 300yards? I don't mind the extra weight.Right now I have a VX-I with a standard recticle.Also, I'm wondering if its possible to know whether or not certain recticles are matched for certain calibers (ie, magnum loads), and if I should be on the lookout for one best suited for the .30-06. Again, I have a wood, bolt action Ruger M77.

Thanks again guys (and gals). God bless the USA.