I have several of the conquest 4.5-14 Rapid Z 800's...they work really well when I have used them in the past 3 years or so..one of my issues is I really dont think they have that great of clarity..at least not compared to the Swarovski or S/B..IMHO...

The scopes I have used on my lightweight rifles were 3.5-10's which offer plenty of magnification out to 400 yards..but as mentioned earlier personally when I know I more likely than not will be making shots in the 300 yd plus range--I believe in more is better to a certain extent..about 80% of my scopes are in the range suggested by Caprivi--4.5-14..think that is the perfect combo for hunting here in the West

As for long range calibers--in the past few years I have used the .264 W Mag, 280 AI, and 257 Weatherby and 300 Ultra-mag..on deer, elk, antelope, bear and big horn sheep...they have all worked really well..but if I was to currently settle on one right now..as Daryl suggested, think I would settle on the 6.5/284 or any one of the other 6.5's offered..withe some of the new bullets offered , the BC is through the roof...even the littel 6.5 Grendel is impressive...

One thing I will mention..there is a VERY dramatic difference when shooting an elk at long range with a 300 Ultra versus several of the other calibers I mentioned..but then again, dead is dead..

Ripp