Unless you're sure you're going to love the long range game and get yourself deeply into it, I'd consider putting together a budget rifle to start with. It will let you play all the LR games you want without spending the $4K+ that a lot of guys have invested in their rifles and scopes. To that end, take Mr Ward's advice and buy a Remington or Savage in your caliber of choice and top it with a $300 Super Sniper scope. I'm a tongue-in-cheek Savage basher, but they really do put out a nice rifle for the money. You ought to be able to get it done for under a grand. If it turns out to be something you really love, then go back with all your newly acquired knowledge and put together a super duper steel killer. Keep the original rifle to loan to your friends so you can get them hooked, too. You're going to need friends because your wife is going to hate you.