I'm beginning the search for a new scope and looking for some comments and what ya'll would recommend. I like the higher magnification scopes and I'm looking for something in the 4/6 to 25/30 magnification range, but don't want to go higher than 6 on the low end. It will be on a 270 and used for hunting. I don't take any long shots on deer because I won't risk losing one, but I ocasionally take some shots out to the 400-500 range on hogs or coyotes. At my main hunting stands I typically see deer out to 5-600 yds and I want to be able to identify and evaluate individual deer.

In online reviews I've seen good reviews in the $900 -$1200 range and then the recomendations seem to jump to the $1800 -$2200 range. I'm looking for suggestions on what you would recommend, and also wondering how much more scope do you really get for the extra 1K? Is it worth jumping up to that range? Only looking for brands with outstanding warranties and service.......

Leupold VX-5 or VX-6HD. They have the same glass with the 6 having more bells and whistles. Exceptional glass. I can’t speak to the more expensive scopes.

Thanks WP.

The VX5 don't have anything in the magnification range I'm looking for and the VX6 4-24 is $2599. I'm trying to stay below 2k if possible.

That scope is $1999 from Midway right now. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...2mm-cds-zl2-side-focus-illuminated-matte

A few others to consider:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...0mm-target-turret-zstop-side-focus-matte

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...st-focal-plane-illuminated-reticle-matte

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...cal-illuminated-ebr-2c-moa-reticle-matte

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/961162/nikon-monarch-5-ed-rifle-scope-1-tube-6-30x50mm-matte

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...t-focal-illuminated-fx-moa-reticle-matte

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...ing-zero-stop-turrets-deploy-moa-reticle

Take a look at the SIghtron Siii 6-24x50mm scopes. They are Japanese manufacture, glass is clear and bright, turrets are crisp, have several reticles to choose from, can usually be purchased for under $1K and warranty is excellent. I have 2 that have served me well.

https://sightronusa.com/siiiss624x50lr-series/

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sightron+siii+6-24x50mm&sprefix=sightron+siii%2Caps%2C148&crid=CM00R3JKUHU2

Customer service is good too. I lost a turret cap, I called them and they sent me a new one at no cost.

Thank you for the recommendations. Very much appreciated. Looks like several good choices in the 1k range.

The SWFA HD 5-20 is a great crossover scope that works well for long range target shooting and hunting. Great glass, good reticle that's visible at low power, and built crazy tough.

I think the other suggestions here are good as well, but you should consider the SWFA if you're taking some shots at 500-600 yards.

Thanks Patriot.
For my specific application I need just a little more magnification. I went from a 6 - 24 I'd been using for many years, down to the 6 - 20 last year, but I discovered I really need that little bit of extra magnification, so looking for something in the 24 - 30 upper range. I hunt tripods often, so no big comfy blind to set up a spotting scope, and I want to be able to identify and evaluate individual deer out to about 500 yds.

There's a good chance the SS 5-20X is better glass than what you've been using. High quality 20X is far better than mediocre quality 25-30X. To get good claritat that high magnification you're in the $2500 and up, rifle scope tier, i.e. Nightforce, Schmitt and Bender, Tanget Theta

Fireman is spot on. Clarity trumps magnification every time. I have a fixed 4x that’s beats most mid priced 3-9s and my 3-18 will Identify game a longer rangers than many 6-24 or 5-25s. To get the quality glass with big magnification you have to really shell out the dollars. The VX-6 3-18 was the perfect compromise for me. The SS 5-20 is also clearer than the NXS 5.5-22. The rest of the Nightfarce line is better though but then again you’re paying for it.

One that hasn’t been mentioned but is excellent for your needs is Leica.

Thank ya'll for the recommendations. I understand the clarity vs magnification issue. It's just that jump from the 1k to 2k price range for the better glass that's weighing on me personally. If I make that jump I'll have to justify to myself somehow, and I just don't shoot that much anymore the way I did in past years. It would have been an easy choice 25 - 30 years ago when I was working up custom loads and shooting a lot. I don't even reload these days.

The point is that if you're used to mid/low end glass at 25x, you'll be pleasantly impressed with SWFA HD-level glass at 20x. You don't have to go to $3k to get good glass at 20x.