OK. Asking for scope recommendations, again.

[Sniper66]

I bought an Anschutz 1517D and mounted a 30mm Riton 6.5-18X scope on it. It has a lot of good features, but the reticle is so fine I can hardly see it. So, I'm selling it.
So I'm looking to replace it with something comparable, maybe this one.
mark-3hd-6-18x50-p5-side-focus-tmr. I can get it for about 40% below MSRP thru a buying program....IF they have it. It is hard to find many reviews for it. So, I'm hoping you guys know more than I do about this scope. Since I have 30mm rings already on the gun, good Talley rings, I'd prefer to buy something 30mm vs. a 1". That limits the options. Any suggestions? I guess I could change rings if I find a 1" tube that will work. I can spend $500-$600 on the scope. I'll appreciate any suggestions. Thanks. BTW, the primary target will be prairie dogs, hence the 18X, but I'll use it for squirrels occasionally so being able to dial back will be important. Appreciate any help you can offer.

 

[Skylerbone]

https://www.eurooptic.com/Sig-Sauer...P-Mrad-Illum-Reticle-Side-Focus-01-Mrad-.aspx

This over that Leupold every day and twice on Sunday. I’ve looked through many Leupolds from the current line and I don’t see a vast improvement over my VX-2s until I reach the VX-5HD. Unless you’re a serious fan, they’re simply priced too high to compete with other brands.

 

[Chuck R.]

I like the 3HD glass, have two of them now, also two 6HDs for comparison. Also a few regular VX3s and VX3is.

Other than extreme twilight, honestly I'm not seeing that much difference between my 3HDs and 6HDs. Maybe I'm just an off the shelf kind of guy, but for 95% of my hunting situations the 3HD is just fine. I also get the .GOV discount, which as the OP knows is pretty significant. I'm right now waiting for a couple of the Mark 3HDs to come back in stock so I can outfit a newly built AR15 for coyote calling. Both of the models I'm waiting on (3-9 or 4-12) have the illuminated TMR reticles.

 

[Sniper66]

With a very careful measurement I figured out the the 50mm may not clear the barrel so I'm looking at the 40mm version of a different scope instead and still get a 30mm scope to fit the rings. I'm thinking this one will work.

https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-6-18x40-cds-side-focus-tri-moa-riflescope