Once you buy a scope most people keep them for life so do you want something you can do a bit more with it or just a plain scope?
I would stay away from all the garbage that is like putting the money in the trash this includes things like BSA, Barska, Simons, anything with the name sniper, black ops, etc...
The best would be to hit a couple of stores and look through some of the mid range scopes with some decent glass.
It is hard to describe to you what it looks ok to me it might not be the best for you because we all have different eyes.
Make sure you adjust the ocular piece before you compare contrast and other features.
The following manufactures should have decent mid-range scopes...
Burris Veracity, Mtac, predator, fulfield (some)
Nikon Monarch, some AR
Redfield Revolution (US made owned by leupold)
Leupold VX..
Bushnell elite and perhaps some AR models.
Weaver tactial and grand slam (japan glass and tubes)
Vortex Viper, PST (japan too)
Some might be restricted in terms of functionality because of:
- 2nd focal plane
- BDC / drop reticle will work for that distance but if you want to use it for longer ranges the fixed estimation systems are not reliable.
- Turrets might not be up to the task for rapid / meaningful adjustment
- Parallax can be an issue so parallax adjustment is a plus.
Not all chinese made scopes have to be bad. Of those there is one perhaps worth looking at for beginners that is the
falcon tactical. Unlike the cheap BSA, Barshka and other with cheap first focal plane this one seems to better than the average
hold up in place, reliable and it doesn't fall apart.
http://swfa.com/Falcon-M18-4-18x44-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P100484.aspx
I would save for the best glass I could afford because I will always use it.
Midway sells one Weaver tactical based on the grand slam quailty that is compact and very reliable like the more expensive tactical.
Also japanese tube and camera grade lenses. The down side is a 2nd focal plane w/o parallax adjustment but at the other hand
it is a mil mil with very precise turrets and tracks to the T. Holds zero and it is a step above a quality fixed magnification.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/59...mm-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte
Again go and look through them and get familiar with the retricles and mechanical parts.
Opinions about scopes are kind of arbitrary because of the mentioned characteristics that are subject through the eyes of the shooter.
Our eyes are the most important part of the optical system and we all have a different set of eyes that see light and colors in different ways.