I'm in the same boat as you Hotshot, my eyes are just not what they used to be so I've started buying higher power scopes. My last 2 purchases are both well above your stated spending limit but I'll share my experiences with them to add to the confusion
I put a Swarovski Z5 5-25x52 on my heavy weight big game rifle. This is by far the clearest, best clarity scope I have ever owned or used. My local range goes out to 550 yards and I usually only have the scope on 15 powder when shooting clay pigeons at that distance. I took this rig to a long range school last year and was shooting old 5 gallon propane tanks (empty of course) at 800 to 1200 yards with no problem, both in clear weather and while it was pouring rain. I can't say enough about how pleased I am with this scope.
My last purchase was a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50FFP with illuminated EBR-2C reticle for a tactical rig I'm piecing together. The glass is on par with my early 90's model VX3, which is to say it's good in my opinion. When I'm trying those clays at 550 with this scope I typically have the magnification up though, around 20 power, as it is not as clear as the Swarovski. When doing my load workup for it I shot a 2"x2" square at 300 yards and had no problem seeing it with the scope on 15 power.
For what you're doing and what you want to spend I would look closely at the Vortex Viper HS series. Cabelas has a sale on them and the 6-24x50 is only $400.
I put a Swarovski Z5 5-25x52 on my heavy weight big game rifle. This is by far the clearest, best clarity scope I have ever owned or used. My local range goes out to 550 yards and I usually only have the scope on 15 powder when shooting clay pigeons at that distance. I took this rig to a long range school last year and was shooting old 5 gallon propane tanks (empty of course) at 800 to 1200 yards with no problem, both in clear weather and while it was pouring rain. I can't say enough about how pleased I am with this scope.
My last purchase was a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50FFP with illuminated EBR-2C reticle for a tactical rig I'm piecing together. The glass is on par with my early 90's model VX3, which is to say it's good in my opinion. When I'm trying those clays at 550 with this scope I typically have the magnification up though, around 20 power, as it is not as clear as the Swarovski. When doing my load workup for it I shot a 2"x2" square at 300 yards and had no problem seeing it with the scope on 15 power.
For what you're doing and what you want to spend I would look closely at the Vortex Viper HS series. Cabelas has a sale on them and the 6-24x50 is only $400.