With that price range, there are many good rifles. Since you want easy to maintain and operate, I would suggest a break open like the Triumph, Omega, Optima, Accura, although a Knight rifle is sure hard to beat. Being in Utah, maybe even a used White rifle. As for the scope, a good 1x can run from 50.00 to 200.00 dollars depending on the brand you pick. When I shot 1x scopes I liked the Nikon 1x20mm and the T/C 1x32mm. Both of them good scopes. Even the Traditions 1x32mm for $50.00 is hard to beat.