I'd say for what your planning on using it for either will suit your needs. Those that shoot competitively really do need to pay the extra $$ if their going to win. The difference between 1/4 MOA and 1/2 MOA can be enough to cost you a match.
Like you I didn't have a fat wallet and to top it off I'm lefty so that narrowed my choices down even more. I ended up getting a LH Bergara B-14 HMR in 6.5 CM and I love it. Yes I know there are better long range chamberings out there so don't beat me up on that. But for my purposes which is plinking and deer out to 600-700 yards it fits the bill nicely.
I had originally purchased a 8-32x Mueller scope for it and it was nice, especially at the range. The problem was at 100 and 200 yards at 32x it took me a while to find the target. I switched to a 4-12X Vortex Diamondback Tactical. Waiting to see how it is at the 600 yard mark.
BTW if you want the Mueller I'll give you a good price on it. If not I'll stick it on my .17.