RE: Help me decide on a scope in the $200 - $300 range
If I where you I would get a Nikon Monarch 6x42 $225 for a matte from riflescopes.com (swfa)I have shot deer moving as close as 20 yards and put down a fox at almost 400 steps...
A rifle scope is an alternative to iron sights, not a replacement for binos and a spotter...plus you can instinctivly learn to judge distance and wind with a fixed power scope easier imho