Google Tiborasaurus Rex and find his YouTube videos parts 21 and 22 on scope selection. He rates scopes at various price ranges. He really likes the SFWA Super Sniper - these come up used on the EE here occasionally and I gather that they are now exporting to Canada.
Like others have said, fixed power scopes from Bushmell and Leopold are also worth looking at...
*Edit* the SWFA scopes are not being imported into Canada. At least they do not have a distributor.... Any that are seen on the EE I will bet are either Grey Market (smuggled across) or were imported under a 1 time export license. Which would have required an export permit and an end user certificate.
*end edit*
The least expensive scope that T-Rex recommend, that is available on the Canadian market was a Falcon Menace.
As I was just getting into shooting things at more than 3-400y and in the market for a target style scope with a ranging reticle, and being a good "follower" I ran out and purchased a 6-24x50 with a FFP recital. Mil/Mil. Frontier firearms is where I purchased mine. Iirc a bargain at $1000
It's a British brand, made in China.
The glass is not what I would consider great. I would class it as "barely adequate".
It only carries a 3yr warranty.
The (I believe) most important feature when choosing a long range capable scope is the repeatability of the turrets.
You need to know when you dial in 4.3 Mil of elevation that you are actually getting 4.3 Mil of elevation.
I have had mine for 3-4 years. I've put close to 1000 rounds through rifles the scope was mounted to a R-700 243 AI and a 308 10TR. It's currently mounted to the 10TR.
I have now done enough shooting at "long-ish" range to know this scopes limitations. I believe it's a great starter scope, but a scope that will be upgraded from in the future. I have been thinking of upgrading myself the last little bit.
I recently purchased a Bushnell Elite Tactical scope 4-12x44. FFP Mil/Mil. Made in Japan. The 12x is a touch light for 1000y, but it is fantastic at 800y. The turrets are reputable and perfectly matched my dope for come-ups. A very nice option at $1200. The only downside is the magnification. It is great at medium ranges (0-800y) but not what I would consider a Long Range scope. A 6-24x50 model is available. But at $1800 a fair bit pricier.
I also have a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 EBR-2. It has fantastic glass. The best of the 3. The turrets are just a bit off. I find I always need about 5-7-10% more elevation than I'm supposed to... which I find really annoying. This scope has already been back to Vortex for warranty for other reasons. At $1300, it's not really an option for those want to shoot PRS style disciplines where you need to dial in corrections between shots at distances from 300-600-1000.... again IMHO.
That's my $.002 on "budget" target/tactical precision scopes.....
There's only 3 ways to do this....
Spend too little and you'll be throwing your cash away as it just won't work!
Spend a medium amount, and you'll quickly realize the scope limitations. But you will learn exactly what you want/need/nice to have in a target style scope. Maybe decide that the sport just isn't for you...
Spend an enormous amount of money on a Sawovski, Nightforce and/or (under high price, expensive, quality scope here) then decide you dont like this or that. I want a different recticle, I want different turrets, why didn't I get FFP. Gee, I just don't like shooting LR...
Whew..... why did I do that 1st thing in the morning!
Cheers!
or wait for something better on EE to come along that might be in your budget. I have one I might sell but I'm on the fence. they go for $200-275 used on EE 
