For a scope in the 900-1200 range I'm looking for cleanest glass and best light transmission with least amount of distortion. What scope would you buy and why?

Leopold or Vortex is hard to beat. I'm pondering both for my new 300 win mag. I've got a few of both brand on different rifles and glass is clear in both. Leopold has a lifetime warranty and I want to say Vortex does too but I'm not 100% sure on that.

I am really considering an SHV First Focal Plane in the coming months. NF claims the same quality of glass as the rest of their scopes. If that is the case, few brands will deliver the same glass quality along with the same operator controls and reticle choices.

Another scope I am about to get is the Burris XTR II

One more option for you is the SS 5-20 HD, non-illuminated version. I have used mine so much that I have worn off the anodizing off the corners of the elevation turret, and focus knob. I'll never sell it, it is "ole reliable".

To get a Leupold with the same features as the scopes listed above, you'll get into the MK 6 and MK 8 line. You'll far exceed your listed budget, and the reticles are way too thick.

Vortex Viper is the line that is in budget. It is not on the same level of quality as the NF, and most likely, not on the same level as the Burris.

Vortex viper glass lacks

Leupold glass from vx3 on up is Clear with great low light, might be able to get into a vx6

The shv are nice for the money , the glass is not the same as the higher line but still a leader for that price

The Burris x2 gets decent reviews for the price

Bushnell elites can be had for around that money.

If you don't need turrets and all that you can get close to a swaro and some other German stuff

I have a Swarovski z3 3-10x42 with the BRX reticle and absolutely love it. The BRH reticle is a little thicker but I haven't had any issues with the fine BRX reticle. I snagged one for under $800 about a year ago.

I'm with FG. As soon as the new SHV FFP version hits I'm gonna give it a shot. Currently Im running a Vortex PST FFP and while the features are great for the $, like others have said, the glass is just ok. I downgraded glass from a Nightforce NXS to the Vortex simply because I wanted Mil/Mil and FFP. Now that Nightforce will have that option in the SHV line Id like to get back to high-quality glass

I would look at the NF shv line for sure. The only NF I have is a NXS and I really like it but if I were to do that price range again I would look at a vortex viper HD line. The warranty is second to none and the customer service is impeccable. I would also look for used NF or Bushnell HD quality used. Both companies will take care of you with no questions if you bought used and have a problem. Not wanting to get into a pissing contest but I won't ever be buying another Leupold. There is better stuff out there for the same or less money.

Europtics will probably have one next weekend at Dallas Safari Club

I have the SHV 5-20x56 on a long range AR10. The only negative is that for the scope to be water tight, the turret caps have to be on, which I can understand on a scope that's primarily designed for hunting. Otherwise, I have zero complaints.

Texan,
At 20X do you have any distortion or focus issues? I had a popular brand that I liked but at full X I had distortion and focus issues. I don't want to spend 1250 on a NF SHV and be disappointed when I could've waited and spent 500 more and got an NXS...

No distortion what so ever. Even with my not so great eyesight, I can get a clear picture at 20X using the side focus adjustment. I did notice that the side focus seemed to be somewhat "touchy" in that a small amount of knob turning changed the focus a good bit. I seem to catch myself adjusting past the exact sweet spot then going back to it.

Where are you located? I will gladly let you look through and shoot my AR10 with the Nightforce if you're somewhere close.