Let me say this...
I believe in good optics. I come to that belief honestly. I could have bought another Mark IV with the money I spent on cheap optics that had to be thrown away.
I won't disparage a person asking questions or advice.
However, I won't taut an optic to save anyone's feelings.
I put a Lepers 3-9x44 on my father's hunting rifle a while back. As I figure, the POS cost my father two missed deer and one wounded, but not recovered deer.
Most people want a tactical or optic with exposed knobs because they are "dialing in the dope" on an optic. If you aren't doing that, or doing "Kentucky holdoevers" you don't need exposed knobs.
Those optics that are getting the dope dialed in are measured by how repeatable they are and how well they return to zero.
Forget about repeatability of turrents or returning to zero on the one that I had.
We are talking about a guy (my father) who sights in and never touches the turrents again. He transports the firearm in a hard-side case and takes amazing care of his firearms. We are talking about a guy who has dozens of firearms that literally look brand new-- even after 30 years.
The damned Leapers scope could not hold a sight-in from ONE deer hunt to the next. In a two day period, it would lose its zero-- with NO SHOTS FIRED.
I'd hate to know what would have happened if he actually tried to dial in adjustments.
By the way... I do know about having to "seat" the adjustments on some cheap optics. I did that on the leapers.
I truly hope what I write about your optic doesn't bend you out of shape. I write from MY experience in being EXACTLY where you are.
I sympathize about your finances. There ARE material realities that cannot be overcome. No amount of wishing makes money appear in your pocket.
However, let me say this. I've got a Leupold Mark IV illuminated TMR recticle 3.5-9x40 on a $1.5K LR-308. I saved like a miser to get both.
And I am a Jr. High School teacher.
If people TRULY examined their spending habits, they would discover a LOT of things are possible by cutting out waste and non-essential spending. Listen to Dave Ramsey for a while and it will change your life. Start eliminating your debts and you will be SHOCKED at how much more money you have in your pocket. Credit Cards are the new slavery that has no concern over your race, religion, or creed.
As for the hate on sub $300 optics among the "optics snobs"...
I suppose I am one of those "snobs." As mentioned earlier, I come by it honestly. Don't even ASK me what I think about Simmons.
No... I don't hate on sub-$300 optics. There are plenty of good ones out there under $300. The optic that I taut OFTEN on THR costs $159 at Wal-Mart: Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40.
It is the best deal going in my opinion on cheaper optics. I really can't tell the difference in clarity or brightness between the 3 that I put on family members' rifles and my Leupold Mark IV. Obviously, my Mark IV has things it was designed to do that the Prostaff doesn't do. However, for a good, solid optic that will sight-in and stay that way as well as deliver a VERY bright, clear picture, it is the way to go.
And Bushnell overs some very good optics in their 3200 and 4200 series. Weaver has some good ones. Burris has good offerings.
Hell, I even have a Millet DMS-1 on my AR-- cost me $200 and I like it for what it is.
As I see it, there are PLENTY sub-$300 optics out there that will be fine on 95% of the rifles out there. These are the ones that are designed to set and forget.
You get into trouble when you try to get sub $300 tactical optics with exposed knobs. It is Economics 101. When you start to add more to an optic-- somewhere, something HAS to give in order to make the product a profitable item for the manufacturer.
This may be:
Lens coatings
Light Transmission
Durability
Repeatabilty
Clarity
Warranty
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
With the non-"dial-in" optics, I KNOW what was left out-- dialing in. With cheap tactical optics, I don't know what corner they decided to cut.
I usually find out when it breaks, misses easy shots, or I can't see a 1.5 acre deer food plot at 4:30 PM CST due to light transmission (exaggerating).
Do yourself a favor....
Either continue saving, or HONESTLY assess your needs in an optic and buy ONLY what you need until you can afford your "wants."
I did that and it took me til I was 37 years old to get what I wanted.
If you already bought the optic, next time do yourself a BIG favor...
Ask on THR.org, AR15.com, Snipershide.com, or Opticstalk.com BEFORE you buy your next one.
Before I settled on my optic, I had MANY conversations on here and with such experts as Zak Smith before I made a decision.
Good luck to you.
-- John