Robie,

the 8x57IRS would be fine for your purpose, I think. I use the almost identical 8x60 for medium game as roe deer and moose, and am quite content with it. It works fine without problem, if you just place the bullet in the right spot. Everything you can take with a .30-06, you can take with the 8x57.

And the RWS ammo you mention is quite fine, at least the old TIG. The TOG is recently released, and it will perhap take some times before one can get it.

In what rifle are you intending to shoot the 8x57IRS?

Best regards,

Fritz