Looking for opinions on the best sub $500 variable power scope (3-9 X'ish range) that is long enough to fit on a 2 piece mount for a '98 Mauser. This will be on a hunting rifle. I'm more comfortable with plex type reticle vs twisting. Finding that newer scopes keep getting shorter and the last one I bought doesn't fit well. Thanks for the help.

Use extension rings and get whatever scope you like best.

Leupold VX3 3.5 x 10 x 40mm is long enough. IIRC the VX2 will also work. The VX3 2.5 x 8 is a bit short..

None local for Redfield (twist in) mounts. I could get them online I suppose, just looking to go with simple.

My favorite on a Mauser is a Weaver Classic K4 4x38...I have also used Redfield Revolution 3-9x40 scopes and been quite pleased with them. You would be fine with about any VX in that 3-9 or 3.5-10x40 range in low or medium mounts depending on your bolt handle and barrel contour.

A Burris FF-II 3-9x40 would be another option, mounted one on a 98 for a friend with no issues, my preferred 3-9x40 however, would be the Leupold(VX2 most likely)..

I put Leupold two-piece bases and Burris Signature rings on my FN to mount a VX-2 3-9x40 with good results (so far!). I've got those rings on three rifles and have been pleased because they are solid, don't mar the tube, and (I think) keep oil from creeping under the rings.

Like-new older Vari-Xs are pretty easy to find on the web, too, which may be a bit longer. When I was looking for a long scope to mount on my Ruger 1V, the VX-3i 3.5-10x40 had the best combination of tube length and eye-relief. It just barely works without extension rings, which I generally detest. I bought it before all the hoopla over their quality began, and of the three I acquired this year, this one has the highest round count at maybe 100. No issues as yet with any of them, knock-on-wood.

Funny, I think online buying IS simple. You don't mention which Mauser you have, but the rear bases differ between commercial, straight military, and military with the clip slot ground off. Some of the Mark Xs take a different rear base too, I believe. The two-piece standard base with windage is a good choice because converted military rifles may have mis-aligned mounting holes.

Mine wears a VX-2 3-9 Ultralight in Weaver rings.

The Leupold 3.5x10 will work well. Plenty long and good eye relief.

Not looking like there's much room for movement in that set-up. Glad it works for you, but I'm hoping to find something a bit longer that allows for more front to back movement.

Remember, that's an Ultralight. The standard scopes are bigger and should give you more room to play with. Just showing that even a compact scope will work. Worst case, you could use extension rings.

I bought a dozen scopes in 2017..
I was buying scopes from SWFA in shotgun news in the 1990s.
I have a lot of scopes.

I have been buying Mausers since 1965.
I have a lot of Mausers.

The real surprise to me in 2017 was Weaver grand slam scopes.
The reticle is in the 2nd focal plane and is thick enough to see while hunting.

When mounting a scope on a 98 Mauser, it will usually be a Weaver #45 in the rear and Weaver #46 in front.

The #45 has holes on 0.504" centers, has a 1.05" diameter concave bottom, and is 0.222" thick.
The #46 has holes on 0.860" centers, has a 1.29" diameter concave bottom, and is 0.35" thick.
All the military Mausers are a little different. You can drill and tap two 6-48 holes in the rear on 0.504" centers and two holes in the front on 0.86" centers, but that does not mean things will fit well.
If you put the bases in modified V blocks on a mill with a boring head and change the thickness and the radius, you can get the scope tube parallel with the barrel bore with no bind on the tube. But the rear ring mounting surface on a Mauser is not circular.
The expensive guys building dangerous game Mausers will Silver solder the bases to the receiver. I go through an elaborate process with epoxy on my deer rifles.