I would look at Weavers and Cabelas Pine Ridge scope...I mean the recoil on a 223 isn't going to stress anything not that these brands couldn't take larger calibers easily. If you want just look at www.ebay.com and they have scopes in that price range...you may be able to get a Burris for that price...Leupolds bring higher money...I know I have been trying to buy a few backup scopes this week and you can in some cases pay 80% of the price of anew Leupold. Larry338 gave good advice on getting a fixed power you will pay less for them then you would for the "IN" miniature observatories parading as telescopic sights these days.