Re: scope
gm280, scopes are a very subjective choice, I have had Leupold and I like my Nikon's better, I also have a couple of eastern block county scopes that are really good, but you are not able to buy them here in the states, but for what I paid for them, they blow away all of the competition.
One thing to remember, the scope does not make the shot, the scope enhances the picture, but it takes a good shooter to make the shot. When it comes down to making good shots with a scope, it really depends on how the gun is sighted in, the best scope in the world, will not hit the broad side of a barn if it is not set up correctly.