You have received some great advice already. This is more or less an echo of others, but may serve to give you a warm fuzzy about the decisions that you are faced with.

As far as which bullet or brand of ammo to use out of your 30.06 Spr., you are doing the right thing by experimenting. I pereer the "premium" stuff because my experience with is that they are very, very consistent ... even lot to lot. I would suggest trying heavier weight bullets. There is not enough muzzle velocity difference between say a 150 gr. and 165 gr. bullet to matter ... and the longer bullet might just fly better out of your rifle. As a matter of personal observation, about every 30.06 Spr. I ahve ever sighted in has shot theior best groups with 180 gr. bullets at moderate muzzle velocities. You get a 150 gr. to group great , it'll kill deer just fine. Just a suggestion.

As far as scope, you mentioned the Nikon Monarch ... frankly I don't care for this scope. Not for the $$$. I have had two ... 3.5-10x50 and 3-9x40. Neither performed well enough for me in low light or a crisp image at long ranges (400-500yards). Mine both were 2007-08 vintage. Maybe they are better now. I much prefer the Ziess Conquest and Bushnell Elite 4200 over the Monarch. But that is just a personal preference.

Good luck and looking forward to the pics.