LAST EDITED ON Mar-02-14 AT 07:50PM (MST)[p]FWIW, I just recently went through replacing/upgrading the Burris Timberline 4.5-14x32 that I've had on my Alpine 300 WSM since I built it 6 years ago.
I bought a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 and a Weaver Super Slam 3-15x42. I ended putting the Weaver on that gun. Now, make no mistake, the Leupy is great glass and it will have a home on another rifle. But for this gun, which is my main big game rig, the Weaver gives me what I need and want at this time. The resettable pull up turrets coupled with no worries about lost caps plus the great glass along with excellent return to zero (only to 500 yds. so far) are just what I needed. And the best thing, the Weaver was only $365.00 at Midway, well w/in your budget ( currently on clearance for $403.77).
There's only 1 degree of DEAD!