ORIGINAL: skeeter 7MM
First of all if your wanting a RF too return you precise yardages of 400+ time after time on game (non reflective targets)your asking too much for the budget you've set. I have used or owned nikon, leupold, bushnell, leica and swaros...only the later 2did it time and time again. I used to have a bushnellit would give me 300ish on deer, however the yardage was never the same twice. I got frustrated and bought a lieca b/c my partner had one that simply worked...I don't regret spending the extra money. My 900 liecahas beenused to700+ on game.
If Ihad to pickbetween bushnell and nikon, the nikon would be my choice based on experience with both brands. FYI, expect 1/3 to 1/2 loss off max yardage on game targets. Meaning if you want 400-500 yards you'll need a 800-1000 yard model.
Well, to be honest the main thing I want it for is to see how far away targets I setup are so I know how far I'm sighting the rifle in for when shooting.
The other thing I really want it for is on my 30-06 I have a ballistic plex scope. I want to know where to aim if a deer is 4-500 yards off. Not with this gun but with regular scopes I've missed animals thinking they were further off than they were so aiming high. The same has been said when I thought they were closer than they were. I want something so I can tell how far off it is and know where to aim. It makes a big difference with the muzzle loader especially when it gets to further than 100 yards or so.