Originally Posted by homers brother

There's nothing wrong with a Vanguard. I have the basic knockaround synthetic with a Vari-X II 3x9 Leupold that'll has always put three rounds into an inch or under ever since I've had it. But, it does like heavier bullets. I hunt elk with mine as well, I'd recommend you forego the 165s and stick with the 180s if you're not a reloader.

As a sidebar, I always advocate using the same ammunition on the range that you're going to use in the field.

I'm not that familiar with the Simmons line of optics, but seems most of the guys I know who've had them have wound up replacing them with more expensive glass. Where I'm at, elk season always takes place when the weather can really become an issue. The Vari-X II on mine has always done okay, but I'm not ruling out going to better glass down the road.

Recoil. Yup - you're in for something new compared to the .30-06. You won't notice it when you're hunting, though.