& coolB have you chosen a rifle yet? If not, there are 2 particular pkgs that I know to be GREAT pkgs & they offer ALOT for the $$$. The Savage 11 Trophy Hunter pkg comes with a Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 with BDC reticle for around $500. Ruger has an "American Pkg" with their American bolt action topped with a Redfield Revolution 3x9x40 with Accu-Range reticle (The Revo is American built & lifetime backed by Leupold!) I've seen that rig on sale for under $500 as well.

2 of the 7-08s in our camp are just as above. My Sav 11 (which wears a 2x7 Revo) & my sons huntn bud has an American with a 4x12 Revo. They both shoot "lights out", are tough, easy carrying & a ton of gun for the $$$. Both my youngest son & his bud started out with Weatherby Vanguard Youths (243), I likewise REALLY LIKE the Vgards! A Vgard Compact is a DANDY rifle that can be had for under $500 & will do anything you ask of it as well. (Howa builds them in Japan for Wby)