Tucker44,
These guys are right on the money with the advice they've given you. The .308Win, while a good LR cartridge, leaves a little to be desired at longer ranges. Yeah, yeah, I know our snipers used/use it, it's inherently accurate, mild in recoil, plenty of factory ammo choices, plenty of reloading data, etc. BUT.....compared to the 7mmRM and .300Win Mag (great LR cartridges), it is anemic. In the right hands the .308 will perform miraculously out to 1K. I think the "right" bullet must be chosen to keep it stabilized past certain yardages. It may be just the rifle/cartridge you need if you're just starting out with LR target/hunting.
The RUM's are "more" of a "good thing". For some, too much.
The $3-400 range for scopes will limit you. The guys who talk about the SuperSnipers seem to be well pleased with them. I try to stear clear of Tasco products, but I may check these out if I get a chance. The Bushnell Elite series would fit in this category if you could find a deal. Not sure how much adjustments either one of these have. A scope mount with built-in MOA would alleviate any problems associated with these scope short comings. There are some good deals out there to be had, you just have to be patient and look/wait for them. JohnnyK.