I'd stick with the 40mm bell, especially since you have a short action which I will assume also has a 20-22" barrel? No sense puttin a zeppelin atop a handy lil rifle!

Since you had a 3x9x40 Buckmaster you will be hard pressed to honestly beat it for much under $300. Heck get another one! Or for around that price range, step up too the same sized Nikon Monarch UCC. Monarchs are mighty hard to beat in their price range!

Leupold vx-ii 3x9x40 is right at $300 & it is a great, super tough, well backed scope as well.

My only other recommendation for a under $300 3x9x40 would be the Redfield Revolution but honestly I'd take the Monarch or vx-ii over it.