308SAKO, takes Larry's advice and just go shoot a match. The first times you drive a few X's, you're hooked. Then the fun really begins
Most of my matches are at 300m, some out to 600m. I try and get out on calm days at first light so there is little mirage or wind.
When I test my loads, I am looking for as little vertical dispersion as possible. This is also a great test of my rests and tech. My goal is 1/2" at 300m, 1.5" at 600m. Less is of course better.
My groups look like sideways footballs as windage is what I will drive. I don't want to add vertical in mechanical error. That would be too much for me to dope.
For optics, you need to be able to see the target. I use a 24X scope. Don't feel the need for more as mirage drives me insane. However, the resolution and clarity allows me to 'see' about 3/16" at 300m. That is all I will ever need to dope conditions for the X ring.
I prefer the much wider field of view as this gives me more chance to see the conditions. This matters to me more then another 1/16" on the target and missing a wind change.
As has been said many times, F class is won by the shooter that can drive the best, not by the best equipment.
If the rifle/optics/load are consistent enough for the X ring, the rest is up the nutt behing the trigger. When I am in a match, I have to believe that my shot arrived due to conditions. I adjust from that. I trust that my gear/shooting is consistent enough to put them into the X ring. If the shot goes somewhere else, I have to correct as this is a condition change that I am missing.
Everytime, I have not trusted myself and thought it was me, I missed again.
Jerry