It really depends on a persons financial situation that dictates what a person can afford.
Kind of like the egg before the chicken or Vicey-Versi... Ha.
The ultimate goal would be to save up enough funds for one or the other,,,, that way 1/2 the project is sorted. I'd agree with choosing a rifle that fits me like a glove,,, that way I'd enjoy looking at it,,, shooting it,,, and taking it with me every where I go. LOL.
I've learned one thing that works for me,,, iron sights or a frugal optic will get me onto target,,, """If""" it has a solid tube and a good set of rings it would most likely last until a up-grade would happen.
The thing about having a extra scope kicking around when a new one shows up works for most shooters,,, most folks I know have a few of them kicking around.
If a person finds a used 3x9 what ever,,, it can be kept as a back up or sold off with out losing its value ,,, """in most cases""" that is.
The good old 3x9 optics have taken alot of critters over the years,,, one thing that allows these optics to perform is a $100 bypod and a solid bunny ear bag.
If the package can manage a 1" or 1 1/2" MOA group at a 100 yards,,,, I'd be off to the hunting grounds,,, keep the critters close.
Another thing would be general plinking ,,, very few shooters show up at the range to shoot the long distance budget packages,,, not saying that some don't.
Keeping the shooting package in check is sometimes a great place to start,,, the trick is to decide on what a person can afford.
The disposable income thing might be a factor in this for some.
I would think that this is what this thread is about.
I give my Weaver fixed 6 power scope to a young fellow 11 years ago,,, funny thing is that he's still using it on his Winchester 270,,, He's bagged some pretty nice bucks up here in the North,,, his reply to this is why change something thats working.
The world of options and where to get started is not suppose to come easy,,, if it was,,, then life would be waaaaay to boring. LOL