Ok I have a 243 Winchester model 70 with the target barrel and heavy forehand for bench shooting. Anyway it was used by my grandfather for groundhogs back in the 60's. He passed in August and I wanted to get a better scope for the gun as the 12 power scope on there has poor clearity now and i think adds a lot of weight with it being about 3/4 the length of the gun if you know what I am talking about. Anyway I want to get a variable scope so I can focus on close targets say 80 yards or so on up to the farthest I have shot at game being 400 yards.

What are you suggestions for power and possibly a brand of scope that is good that wont kill my savings account. A guy who owns a gunshop said Swift makes a good scope at a lesser price then others... and comments?
Thanks