I think most "old heads" like me have been right where you are , and done that ... bought an "entry level" scope.You've gotten great advice here from all of these othe folks. All I would encourage you to do is scrimp, save, scrounge, work OT, beg, look under thecouch, hold a garage sale... whatever it takes ... and gather up enough $$$ to buy the very best optics that you can. I see far too many folks around here with a $500-$600 bolt action riflewitha $50 "Wally-World" special scope sitting on it. That's like putting recaps on a Carvette !!

At $300, you might seriously consider a fixed power in 4X or 6X. Mightget more quality in the glass and construction ruggedness for your dollar than a what you'd get for an equally pricedvariable.