Umrebfan18: - I think you need to more clearly identify what type of shooting you'll be doing. Will it be close in tactical shooting, (0-100 yards)? Will it be medium to long range shooting, (50-500 yards)? You need to realistically define your goals with this rifle.
If it's short to medium range recreational plinking, home defense and such, I think a Trijicon Tripower will suit your needs perfectly. If you want a combination of accuracy, ruggedness and magnification, then you needn't break the bank necessarily. On the higher end, Leupold Vari 1-4x would be perfect and on the more affordable end, Millet makes an excellent tactical scope and their new DMS-1 is a beautiful scope for short money. That combines the features of a red dot with the magnification of a scope. If you want magnification beyond 1-4x then, look at SuperSniper for sure, Leupold, Nikon and my surprise favorite, Swift. I had a Swift 4-18x mounted on my Colt National Match AR for almost a decade. I now use it from time to time on my Troy MCS M1A. It was and still is a great scope - super picture, nice eye relief, rugged and reliable. I put thousands and thousands of rounds downtown with that scope and it's good to go. Unless something significant has changed in their manufacturing since 1997, I think it's one of the most underrated scopes out there and it will save you money for ammo.
I also must confess that I find 'exceptions to the rule' on optics. Mounted on the carry handle for my old Colt, was (and still is) a Eurolux 4x that I bought at SG for $29.99 - also in 1997. Again, I dumped much ammo using that scope and the buddy I sold it to, still does. It has a bullet drop compensator, nice crisp picture and absolutely holds zero. I beat the snot out of it and so does he. If it wasn't on my rifle, it was attached to the carry handle in my range bag. I also have an old Simmons 3-9x40 that I bought in 1986 for 40-bucks. A dealer friend bought a crate of them. They were rubber armored orange camoflage. I painted mine OD with some Testors spray paint and mounted it on my HK93A2. It's still there and still accurate. On the other hand, I have a Schmidt-Bender on my 91...See what I mean? Lastly, a member at my range has a Leapers Accushot on his AR-15 and adores it. Judging by the 100 and 200 yard groups he's getting, I'd say it was short money well spent.
Define your purpose, define your need, define your budget and choose accordingly. You don't necessarily have to buy high end to get great results.
Not over priced either, but they are all fixed powered to my knowledge.
