RE: distructive recoil
If $200 bucks is the line for a cheap scope then buy a Nikon. You won't be disappointed. Monarchs 3x9x40 are less than $200 and worth every penny. I've had one on my 7 mm mag for years and hundreds of rounds with no problems at all. The variable adjustment also works just fine in real cold weather. This is a problem that I have had with some scopes.