Thread: Which scope should this newbie buy?

Hey guys, first time poster here.

I know this topic has been covered here a thousand times, but here goes...

I'm very new to hunting but have had the shooting bug for years. I recently got my license and finally shot my first deer on public land up in the Ruahines on an overnighter about a month ago! I absolutely LOVED the experience.



I took this deer from 255m with a mate's Howa 1500 in 6.5CM with a Vortex Viper 6-24X and would like to purchase my own Howa in this calibre eventually (as soon as the wife gives the green light...) - this will be my first rifle.

I'm very new to the hunting game but can imagine I'd be after reds & fallow both at short and mid ranges, say 0 - 200m but would like a scope that allows me out a bit further if needed. I'm thinking something with a magnification of about 3-12X.

I'd like to buy quality - ideally something to last a lifetime of little - moderate usage, but I'm on a budget too...

I like the look of the Burris Droptine range and some of the cheaper Leupolds and Vortexes.

Any general scope buying advice for a beginner? Buy once and cry once? Or work my way up? And what about rings?

TIA