I killed 78 yotes last winter. I use a Weatherby vanguard synthetic, in .22-250, topped with a 3x10x42 Swarovski. My daughters rig is a Ruger 77, stainless synthetic in .204 ruger, topped with a Ziess 3x9x50. We also took 28 foxes, my rig is a Sako quad, using the .17hmr barrel, topped with a Swarovski 3x9x36, the kid uses her Weatherby MKXX11, in .17hmr, topped with a 3x9x? Leopold. You are right, do not cheap out on the optics, I love my Swarovski's, and really can't see myself buying cheap crap again.