I have been struggling with scope selection for a while.
I'm looking more for target use. I have been able to get my eyes behind many scopes over the summer. My big problem is I don't like all the crazy tactical reticles with so much of the glass covered with grids, dots, lines and such.
What I did find out is I'm not going to get what I want for much less than $1000
Here is some that made the list. My scope needs are 90% target shooting for small groups not hits on target type shooting. Some choices are function based and some are price.
I really like the target dot style scopes. Side focus
On the least expensive side I found
http://swfa.com/Mueller-8-32x44-Target-Dot-30mm-Riflescope-P42358.aspx personally used this scope and for the money it was clear and smooth adjustments. Although the side focus had some serious back lash. You need to start from dead stop and go into the focus with out reversing direction.
Get to know your scope and set it up for you and Mark your knobs you will be fine. What I didn't like is it felt rather brittle.
I really liked this scope the dot was small and clear
https://www.leupold.com/hunting-sho...opes/vx-3-8-5-25x50mm-30mm-side-focus-target/
Got to try a few nightfource scopes... a competition and a NSX first thing you notice with these scopes.
They are chunky. Very nice and I got to play with this one for a day.
http://nightforceoptics.com/nxs/5-5-22x50
I also was able to try a March brand scope it was so nice 40x at 200 yards the tiny aiming dot could be put into a 22 hole. I think this is the one I tried.
http://marchscopes.com/bench-rest-40-50--60-x-52.html
So now I need to find a basic reticle. .... like the NF DDR2
The leupold VX3 I tried was very nice also..... it's tough. You need to really have a grasp of what you want from your scope.
I'm leaning towards bench rest / prone style shooting for little tiny groups. 90% @ 200 yards and a few 600 yard matches a year... still looking. For now my almost 20 year old VXIII 2.5x8x32 duplex reticle sits on my "bench/varmint" AR
Trying really nice scopes out side your upper budget doesn't help......