When it comes to optics...I love my Leupold Vari-X III LR M3 (Old version of the MK4 LR/T M3) and I'm used to it because we have them at work. I like it because it offers 1MOA elevation clicks. That allows you to get to 1000yds with one turn of the elevation turret and you won't lose count of your rotations.. It's fast to adjust as well and will get you to any come up you need to in a second or two. It's always been repeatable on my TRG-22 and clarity is great. I'm going to send it back in to Leupold for a reticle change to the TMR. It just has a Duplex right now.

People don't like Leupld much any more but I picked up my scope used with the box and four cams for $500 from a local shop and it didn't even have ring marks on it. For what I got I consider that a deal. Nightforce/USO/S&B/Premier are all top notch optics but will cost you a lot of money. On a budget I'd suggest the Leupold or SWFA's line that used to be called the Super Sniper from Tasco. Tou can find slightly used MK4 LR/T M3's for good prices. Even new ones aren't too bad. Don't waste your money on the Illuminated reticle. You don't really need it. You should be looking at low or mid range optics. That means you're going to be spending between $450-500 for whatever the new "Super sniper" is called...to $900-$1000 for a used Nightforce.

For your first precision set up I do not recommend spending a bunch of money on your optics. I didn't say skimp and go cheap but keep it under a grand. Use the money you save to either buy a reloading set up or buy ammo and get shooting. Practice is what it'll take to get better at it...not fancy $1500+ optics and rifles. Best of luck and let us know what you do!

CMS

P.S. Savages really are ugly....but function over form every time!