A Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 should be less than $200. That's whats on my .223. The only red dots I have ever seen have not had much magnification. I haven't ever used one, so I can't comment much about them. I use my .223 for coyotes regularly, hunting in daylight and at night. It gathers light well, and the lower power helps it a bunch. I put a higher magnification (6x-18x40) scope on it, but I took it back off after about 2 weeks. The Nikon was a lot easier to use when trying to shoot and hold a light at the same time. It was also lighter and easier to carry. It holds a zero well.