It depends on the scope. I agree that some are too busy. I don't care at all for Nikons version. Nor the Redfield or VX-3. But the reticle Leupold uses on the VX-1 and VX-2 as well as Burris and a few others aren't bad at all. The Burris scope with dots is only $10 more than the duplex and the VX-1 and VX-2 are less than $50 more. Especially at only $10 more I see no downside, and the extra $50 is worth it to me. I wouldn't pay much more though.
I don't wish to match my loads to my scope, but rather what is most accurate for the rifle.
No reason to do so,especially on a hunting rifle. Just load as usual, run the data though a ballistics calculation program and go to the range to verify. The actual bullet drops between various loadings is a lot closer than most people think. Most people way over think this.
If I zero my 308 at 100 yards I may find the dots are actually on at 190, 285, and 375 instead of exactly 200, 300 and 400. Or with my 300 WSM the dots may correspond to 215, 320, and 430 yards.
For one thing game in the field is almost never at exactly 100, 200, 300, or 400 yards anyway. I just use the dots as a reference point if I'm shooting at a target or game at around 200, 300 or 400 yards. Regardless of the cartridge or load I'm still going to hit no more than 2-3" higher or lower than my aiming point. There is no big game animal in North America where 2-3" either way is going to matter. And if you put in some range time and know exactly where it will hit if a game animal is at 350 yards it is a simple matter of aiming 2-3" higher or lower than the dot.
It is still far more accurate than the old fashioned method of zeroing 3" high at 100, aiming at the center and knowing the bullet is going to be no more than 8" low at 300 yards.
If you are target shooting at known ranges of 200, 300 or 400 yards then having the loads impact at exactly those ranges might be a concern. If it is then you need a scope with dials, not dots. Dots are quick to use and accurate enough for hunting.
Now, if Leupold offered their standard VX1, VX2, or VX3 in a legitimate mil-dot reticle (even being second focal plane), I'd be all over that like white on rice on a paper plate in a snowstorm. Just can't justify spending extra for a higher end mil-dot scope right now.
They do, a VX-2 with mil dots
http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-Mark-AR-MOD-1-Riflescope-P60892.aspx