[Skin and scales]

I've had leupold riflemans vx1s vx3s and vxLs all of them are great scopes and that's what id get if I were you the highest end 50mm obj leupold you are willing to pay for great scopes hands down... I now shoot a zeiss but you said that was outta your price range

 

[WBG444]

I wouldnt go with anything less than a 50 mil objective on any scope

I wouldn't go with anything less then a 30mm tube.

 

[JDHolley]

I wouldn't go with anything less then a 30mm tube.

You are correct! Lens and Tube size/quality will determine how much light the scope will collect!

 

[GarGuys]

I wouldn't go with anything less then a 30mm tube.

Good point Brady

 

[markland]

Not very familiar with 30mm tubes but the 50mm scopes from Leupold and Nikon have been impressive and have shot and owned both, just a little more intimate with the Nikon products now. Use their Monarch binoculars as well.

 

[WBG444]

The 30 mil tube lets even more light in and its stronger and u get more adjustments, in ur up down left and right...