Hi my name is Justin Ward and I am 16 years old.  I have been shooting smallbore targets in Air Cadets and am the top shot in the squad.  At 20 yards I can put my shots into a quarter inch from the prone posistion.  However I think I would like the challenge offered by long range rifle shooting.  I want a rifle that would allow shooting out to 1000 yards and I am considering the .308 for this task.  I'm not sure how much a .308 recoils but I know that I can handle an old fashioned lightweight single shot 12 gauge easily(I use it for trap shooting).  I want to buy a Remington 700 VS LH.  However I don't have the money for a new gun and the VS is very uncommon around here(atlantic canada) plus I am left handed.  Also many people have told me to spend at least as much on optics as the rifle.  I have read good reviews about the Tasco SS10x40 anyone have experience with this scope.  Sorry for all the questions but I want to make informed purchases.

Be careful, though.  Long range shooting can be highly addictive.