Lots of justification for some really weak reasoning.
It's about balance, and getting the utility for money spent.
Specifying the quality of parts for the job needing done, the caliber and barrel come first. How the optic mounts is very much a part of the upper receiver design - then the optic has to complement the actual accuracy intended.
Sure, a $3,500 16x36 sniper scope is a bit overkill on a 10/22, the same could be said of an Aimpoint on it, too. There's no balance between the barrels accuracy and intended target, and the price.
60-75 million hunters in America buy game licenses every year, since it's without doubt a major use of optics, I'll use hunting live game as an example. If it's prairie dogs, a 1/2 MOA barrel is desireable to get hits out to 500m, just because the target is so small. Something with 4X12 variable power, easily adjustable turrets, and bullet drop compensation would fill the bill. Price? $250 up.
The question is, would a scope costing $1,200 do the job, sure, but how much better per dollar? You get diminishing returns on every extra dollar you spend, guaranteed and a rule of thumb in life, much less rifle scopes. Jump up to a $450 scope, there will be some obvious visible improvement in glass and performance. Double that again to a $900 scope, and it's going to take optical instruments and a crate of ammo to see any significant difference. It will be there, but honestly, the average guy planning a trip to Western Kansas once a year could save the money for gas and get the same results.
Bluntly, cost no object spending for optics is marketing blather. Please note the phrasing in ads, with wingless flies crawling on barn siding, and heavy emphasis on "you deserve" and hunters attired in expensive custom fitted clothing. What part of selling status and lifestyle is really being done?
Spend the extra money on shooting, dope out the bullet drop, get reloading equipment and make the effort to find the most accurate load. You will get more return on that in actual hits than blowing the difference on a higher price scope.
It's the fine tuning that makes it work, not the Edelbrock sticker on the fender.