Wholeheartedly concur on the suitability of Hungarian S&Bs. Every bit as good as the German variety. As for which magnification and objective diameter, do you really want us to open that can of worms here?!
If you intend stalking mostly in woodland, shooting off sticks, then a 6x42 is perfectly adequate. On the other hand, if your delight is rolling in the heather and shooting into the next county off a bipod then you may be better served with an 8x56. If you can't decide for certain then you have two options; either buy one of each and two sets of quick detach rings or, more sensibly (
), find the extra money and fit a 2.5-10x50 or such like. Judging from my own experience, where nothing I have taken has been beyond 150yards, the 6x42 has always proved perfectly adequate. Remember the adage - "If it still looks small through the tube, you aren't stalking!"
Whichever 'scope you choose, whatever you do DO NOT skimp on mounts and rings. If you do decide on the Tikka, I doubt you will go far wrong with a set of their own, model specific accessories to go with it. If you are buying the whole caboodle from the same dealer then they might offer to set the whole thing up before you collect it. Otherwise, unless you have previous experience of the process, I strongly recommend employing the services of
reputable gunsmith and get the job done properly from the outset. (see the link in my earlier post)
Keep us posted on how your quest progresses. Once you are all set up you can come back on here and get a whole pile of conflicting advice on which way is the best to break in a new barrel
Enjoy the therapy!
Iwrch