I have checked out some Vortex glass in the Viper PST line. It is real decent... definitely a cut above anything with Chinese glass. It appears to be equal quality to the glass in my Burris TAC30 scopes, which are also coincidentally (or not) made in the Philippines. The Vortexes were clearly inferior to really good glass, like the Trijicon Accupoint I compared it side-by-side with though. Leupold also looked clearer. But back on the topic of Burris, have you checked out the new XTRII line? They are also Philippine made, mil/mil, FFP scopes that are in your price range, and I've seen some very positive reviews on them.
I have also heard a lot of positive reviews of that 2-10x32 Vortex you're considering. I was leery of it for hunting use, with such a small objective on a 10x optic (hunting shots are very frequently either pre-dawn or right at dusk), but I have heard more than one person say that the glass in that particular model is better than other PST scopes, and that it has better light transmission than Vortex's 2-10x44 scope. I don't like skinny reticles on hunting scopes either, but an illuminated reticle like that one has would mitigate that issue for me.
I am actually in a similar boat optics-wise... I want a scope to use on my new 6.8 upper that will be great for hunting, but will also work well in a DMR role for 2A purposes. Right now the Leupold Mark AR Mod 1 3-9x40 with the Firedot TMR reticle is at the top of my list. Personally, I don't care about FFP in this magnification range. For any shot that I am actually using the reticle on, it will be on max power anyway. Now on something with a higher magnification range, like a 3.5-21, FFP is a welcome addition. YMMV.
