gsganzer,
I've heard that the new coatings really help the Barnes bullets with the fouling issues, but I've recovered too many of their bullets that didn't open up to it's own diameter to give them another try. I never lost an animal with them, but lost confidence and worry that it could happen one day.
The A-Frames have a very solid reputation and I've been curious about them, but haven't made that move yet. Your right about their priceing, but availablity was a real problem for awhile there too. Even Cabelas wasn't able to get them for awhile.
For scopes and binoculars, there's only a few names for quality. Zeiss, Swarvoski, Schmidt & Bender, Leica and Ertle. These are all thousand to two thousand dollar scopes. Mine is a 1.5 to 6 power Swarvoski with the 30mm tube. It's what I use when going to Alaska, Africa and the Rockie Mtns.
Any place that has the ability to change tempature 50 degrees or more in a few hours, requires multiple planes and you end up landing on water or dirt, and miles of horse back riding all dictate to me to use the good scope.
I also agree with you about those 50mm lenses. They are way too big for mountain hunting. If you sit on a blind, then they are fine, but if your on a horse or climbing through blowdown on the side of a rock slide, than you want the lowest profile you can get.
Better glass will out perform large diameter glass ten to one every time!!!
One night as I was coming off a ridge in the dark, I couldn't figure out where my camp was. I was hunting alone in the wilderness and camp was totaly dark. My flashlight was just a small penlight and useless at any distance. There was a little moonlight out, but otherwise, it was all shapes and shadows. With my Swarvoski binoculars, I was able to see my tent in the dark.
Good glass will bring in more light than the naked eye!!!
Your mid range optics that cost around $300 to $600 are good for starting out, but if you decide to go on a hunt, thousands of miles from home, it can really make a difference on how well you enjoy it, if your optics are up to the task.
Eddie