right,get a 2x7 at least. you won't need all that power everytime out,but you'll have it when you need it.

i've seen lots of problems with contenders ,i like the savage striker. i've owned them in 243,25-06,260 ,7mm-08 and 22-250. they all will shoot 3in groups at 300yds. i shoot my rem xp-100 way more then anything else. its a great varmint gun out to 250-300yds if you have the right rest to shoot off of. its a 221 fireball.

i see so many guys buying pistols to deer hunt with that don't realize that you must have a near perfect setup when hunting to be accurate. you are going to have to let more game walk then ever before when you start out handgun hunting.