I have and want to spend 600.00-800.00 could go a little more! on a scope for my 22-250 I want 20-25 power variable for a combo varmint and paper gun do lots of both! It did wears a 4-12 Nikon monarch and now wears a weaver V16. I do think I liked the Nikon a little bit better as far as clearness! I do think I would like side focus but not a must. I do want it clear and want good precision adjustments I also like fine with dot, mil dot or varminters reticals! Dont want a duplex. I do a lot of both daytime and night shooting with light! also recommend good mounts for my win 70 short action. I need help I know nothing about high end optics and my tax refund is burning a hole in my pocket! Coud someone also please tell me the big differance in a 1" tube or 30mm?

I'm no expert here, but would suggest this: Buy or Library check out Mule Deer's optics book, sit down and read it, and while reading it, use his info against a checklist you have made on what you want a scope to do for YOU.
With six to eight hundred in you pocket you should be able to to go with the BEST for YOUR USAGE.
Then when shopping, do the comparison thing with your list and actual scope specifications. You will find some that specify things like 3X9 that will actually be a 3.4x by 8.4, or perhaps 2.8x by 7.9, so on and so forth with the different specifications actually listed for scope.
Hope this helps some, anyway all that study may help slow down the "burn" in your pocket.

i bought a used nikon monarch 6.5-20-44 for my ar varminter for around 300 dollars, and i am impressed. my 3.5-10 leupolds are on the top of my list, but i am throughly impressed with the monarch.