The 4.5-14x40 Nikon buck master isn't terrible and in your price range. My first of now five differen sps tacticals wore one. Three reticle options to chose from. It's under $300 but the AAC is about a $100 more than the regular. Also I think the weaver tactical base is as good if not better than the EGW base but I'd splurge for TPS rings.

X2 on TPS rings. I had them on two rifles and loved them.

Got a Virtex Viper HS 4-16x44 today do that's the scope I'm going with! Gonna stick with the 1:12 SPS TACTICAL. Now for ammo for the 1:12!

Same as 1:10. It may run a little faster. Don't know how it'll do with the 178 A-max, but you gotta try it. Did I mention you need to handload?

Any of you fellows ever learn how to judge distance. Poor Jack O'Conner would have never gotten to shoot sheep or goat cause he just used a standard Winchester M70 in 270 caliber with fixed power scope, either 2.75 or 4X. What would happen if your rangefinder failed? Just curious.

Size of the target, in yards, times 1000, divided by Mils = yards to target.

My SPS Tactical loves the Federal 168 Sierra match king ammo.
It really tightens the groups up.

Have you tried the 165 Gamekings?

Yes I have. They don't shoot as good as the 168 match.

I used gamekings and the shot very well, then I went to the tap I mentioned and shot weller

Well, here she is! Went with DNZ Tactical medium height mount and also put a LaRue/Harris bipod on it. Sighting it in this weekend.

Looks good.

Mine used to look like that.