buckmaster and the prostaff are great scope, but if you want to save a few bucks then get the prostaff, it is still a great scope.

I believe there are plenty of better options for ballistic compensating reticles but I dont believe the BDC is a gimmick, its just not meant for the average hunter. The BDC only works if you really put in ALOT of range time and learn the reticle your particular loads trajectory.

Also if your checking out scope's, check out the Redfield, they're made by leupold.