Nikon, B&L (or now Bushnell), Burris (exceptional value for the money), Leupold. Haven't tried the new Weavers, but the old ones in the 60's-70's were the brand by which others were judged.
If one of each were laying on the counter, I'd pick which one was the better deal.
As always, make SURE it's fogproof/waterproof if you're using it for hunting
and ALWAYS get Butler Creek flip caps front and rear. Throw away the crap ones that come from the factory
My local gun shop will pull scopes from trade-in rifles and sell them. They make more than selling it as a package. The good scopes (listed above) have lifetime warranties whether you're the original owner or not.
And get decent mounts (not see-thru's). Buy good, cry once
edit to add: if you're really pinched for money, I'd get a plain old 4x as Art said above. I used a Bushnell Sport Chief for 4 years on my slug gun. Hunted in below zero weather, driving rain and it never fogged and never lost zero. That's on an 870 shooting 3" mag copper solids. Recoil is, shall we say, substantial. If you get a cheap variable, the zero will wander and it WILL fog up.