I started out on a budget. Hell, I still have budget restrictions if we're talking about S&B/BEAST money. There are very few people that actually NEED that kind of equipment. But you can bet those people shoot a lot, and have a full understanding of what scope features they need to attain their goals. If you have to ask why you need a S&B, you don't need a S&B. I started out just like everyone else, trying to find the best "budget friendly" scopes and rifles to fit in my budget. As I continued to shoot, I soon learned from personal experience that it wasn't enough for what I was trying to do. The turrets weren't accurate, and didn't return to zero every time. I couldn't see the target because the glass sucked or the mirage was too heavy. Any number of things really. I wish I could go back and hit the restart button, I would have saved a little bit longer and bought one rifle, one $1000 scope, and spent the rest on ammo and formal instruction. I'd be way further ahead now.
The OP's request reminds me of an issue I see way too often... too much focus on hardware and not enough focus on the skills of the guy pulling the trigger. Based on his comments, there is obviously a greater focus on quantity over quality. Why have 3 or 4 different rifles if you can't afford to put solid repeatable optics on them? I'm sure that Millett might dial right a few times, but will it do the same thing on the 200th time that it did the first time? Because that's what it takes to hit targets at 1000 yards.... practice. If your budget is that tight, how are you affording to buy enough ammo to practice and become proficient with your vast collection?
