Have you seen a Sightmark 3-9x40 or Sightmark 8.5-25x50 Illuminated Reticle Tactical series? They are very comparable to other high bread optics, but about 1/3 the price.

http://www.opticsbestbuy.com/Sightmark-3-9x40-Tactical-Rifle-Scope-with-Duplex-Reticle.html?Attribs=194

http://www.opticsbestbuy.com/Sightmark-8-25x50-Tactical-Scope-with-Illuminated-Mil-Dot-Reticle.html?Attribs=194