Welcome to the board. I wouldn't worry too much about shooting that rifle, I shoot a 50+ year old Rem 700 and use any cartridge I want to with no problems. For optics, what is your total budget including rings and mounts and what kind of hunting conditions do you expect? For $300 or so you can get a real nice Bushnell Elite 4200 on E-Bay and pick up the rings and mounts. When you start to sell the guns make sure what the actual value is to the gun. On the www.modernsportsman.com website you can provide the informaion to Sierra on the "what's it worth" section and he will be glad to give accurate, free and honest information. Read a few of his reviews and you will know the type of info needed, maker, serial number, pictures, marks and other info.