First long range optic - LR-308 build - Leupold, NF or Vortex?

[hella agg]

I've pretty much narrowed it down my optics choice to either the Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm LR/T M1 or Nightforce 3.5-15 x 50 NXS. I know the NF is considerably more expensive than the Leupold, and it's why I'm leaning toward the Leupold.

Wondering if anybody had any other sub-$1000 suggestions? At first I had considered the Nikon M-223 3-12x42SF, and it's still in the back of my mind as a good optic. I just don't know how it would perform on a .308 build.

I've heard a lot of good things about SWFA-SS, but would rather have variable zoom. Primary use of the rifle will be range plinking and hunting. And aside from the obvious, is an illuminated reticle that much better than non-illuminated?

Does anybody have an input on the Vortex PST line of optics? The 4-16x50 particularly. I'm also trying to get a side-by-side comparison of all the reticle choices, and understand what "FFP" means exactly. That, and MRAD vs. MOA reticle.

Thanks guys, and sorry if these are noob-ish questions to ask.

[Sheldon]

All your answers better than I can explain.....

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=378812#Post378812

[hella agg]

Thanks for the link to the FAQ. Did some reading there and some research, and have decided on the Vortex Viper PST 6-24X50 FFP in MRAD flavor.

[Timberwolf]

Take a look at the Nikon Monarch X 4-16X50 MD. This is what used to be their Tactical scope until they got PC and called it the Monarch X. Both my LR rifles wore the Nikon Tactical for years and I'd swear by them. That said they sold me so well on Nikons that all but one of my rifles now wear Nikons.

[hella agg]

Take a look at the Nikon Monarch X 4-16X50 MD. This is what used to be their Tactical scope until they got PC and called it the Monarch X. Both my LR rifles wore the Nikon Tactical for years and I'd swear by them. That said they sold me so well on Nikons that all but one of my rifles now wear Nikons.

Thanks for the suggestion. This particular scope may have better optics and appears to be more "rugged" than the Vortex could be. I've read about hit/miss QC issues, but Vortex's CS being really, really good. I'm a photographer as well, and I swear by Nikon bodies and lenses, so I'm tempted to look into this scope more.

What I like about the Vortex scope is that it comes with FFP and is illuminated. The Nikon is also about $100 more expensive, though still sub-$1000.

[Timberwolf]

Illumination is nace thing but rarely used unless you intend to shoot alot of night matches - and honest I've used both FFP and SFP and I prefer SFP - most FFPs stadia wires tend to get a little thick at higher magnification (at least the ones I've played with).