Update after doing a little shopping the last couple of weeks and on Black Friday
Scope Update:
Dad: Putting the Sightron SII 4.5-14X42 on his 270
Me: Got a great deal on an open but never mounted Bushnell Elite LRHS 3-12X44 here on the fire
Spotting Scope Update:
Picked up a used Leupold GR12-40X60 here on the fire
Rangefinder Update:
Picked up a Sig Kilo 2000 on a decent Black Friday deal
Gear: utilized the Kuiu 30% off to pick up a fair amount of layering gear. Also picked up some First Lite base layers with their Black Friday deal. All my current gear is cotton or polyester.
Next up:
Boots
Day pack
THIS IS SOME EXPENSIVE $#!* but I'm hoping I don't have to make many of these purchases again for a very long while.
Nicely done. I was going to recommend that exact scope or else a SS 6x or 3-9x, but the LRHS is a magnificent scope for the price. It combines NF-esque reliability with great glass, excellent reticle, and favourable ergos and features. I was also going to recommend that RF, and hopefully you got an upper-end specimen of the Sig. If you did, you'll be VERY happy with its performance. If not, you'll likely need to send it in and get it replaced with another unit before you get the amazing performance they're capable of. Your spotter and Kuiu clothing are also great choices. You did very well.
As to the boots- my suggestion is to go to a high-end boot store (not sure what stores you have down there) and try on a few of the Lowa, Hanwag, Crispi, etc, models and see what fits your foot best. The perfect fit makes all the difference when choosing between these top-quality brands and models of boots. Even the most expensive boot won't work well for you if the fit is a little off.
I'd try on a Kifaru and a Seek Outside Unaweep or Revolution. If the lumbar pad type of pack is better for your body type, then you have a few great options (eg. Kifaru, MR, etc). If you're like me and a few of my hunting buds, the full-wrap belt hugs the waist better, fits perfectly, and doesn't slip even under heavy loads. In that case, the SO options is top shelf as a multi-day pack that will carry weight very well and last for years of use, but will also compress small enough to be a very comfortable day pack. I've got the older Evolution, and it serves double duty fantastically in both 7-10 day sheep hunt mode, as well as day pack mode.
