Just as a side note here.
My hunters quite often use my 30/06 rather then bringing a rifle. It uses a 3.5-10 VX3
Nobody has needed more power, or more magnification then this. It has been used in the Kalahari, the Eastern Cape, and the Drakensburg mountains as well as our home base in the NP
You seem to be way over thinking this decision.
I'd heed JJ's advice. Since you are on a tight budget, if the PH has a loaner - use it. Take the money saved and shoot another trophy, and worry about what you need for your North American bucket list later.
