Talk me out of this.

It sounds to me that you are really trying to get into something of good quality and keep down the costs also. The HW50 is a very good choice. Save over $50 by buying it from Krale over AOA. About $325 to your door and will arrive before AOA gets one boxed to ship. The Hawke Vantage 4x32 AO is a good affordable scope. Light weight, compact, mil dot and keeps the package nice and light/small. $99. Amazon UTG mount $17. Done! all good quality and will hold up. Your choice for a caliber selection. Either is good.
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You'd be better served by the HW50s in .177 caliber. 

It will shoot flatter, likely be less pellet picky and kill anything cleanly that you have any business shooting at with a rifle of this power. 

For hunting at this power level, .177 shines. Going in .22 won't get you anything but a loopier trajectory and less penetration. 

Had both, hunted with both, the .177 works great. 

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You'd be better served by the HW50s in .177 caliber. 

It will shoot flatter, likely be less pellet picky and kill anything cleanly that you have any business shooting at with a rifle of this power. 

For hunting at this power level, .177 shines. Going in .22 won't get you anything but a loopier trajectory and less penetration. 

Had both, hunted with both, the .177 works great. 

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Agreed! You can get heavy weight.177 pellets to combat wind.
 
Can't go wrong with the HW50 or the Hawke scope. Dvor has the 3-9 and 4-12 Airmax on sale for $137 and $149, both great prices. I have a HW50 in .20cal and love it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Jccams and crowski are exactly right. That is a real deal on a Hawke Airmax. A bit bigger than the 4x32 but a deal like that is to good to pass up.