What scope???

Recommend SWFA 3-15x42 mm. FFP Mil/Mil. Light, accurate repeatable turrets. Awesome Mil quad reticle. No IR though if that's important to you. They also Have SFP version of same scope. I have both and recommend.

Second choice Athlon Argos FFP 6-24x50. SWFA has better glass and turrets but Athlon has IR and more mag and acceptably clear glass equal or better than sidewinder. If you like SFP, go for the Athlon Midas 3-15x50mm, a step up in glass clarity, the turrets are still in Mil so still easy to dial up shots by remembering holde overs at calibrated magnification - 15 in this case, so if you dial up One Mil on the turret, doesn't matter what magnification you are using. Disclaimer - all oPinions based upon owning all referenced scopes.

All that being said, I do have two the the specific sidewinders you referenced. I do like them and I have not experienced any problems with them other than the fact I dislike the fact the turrets and reticle don't share the same system of milradian. Also being the reticle is calibrated at 20x, I can't use 20 x magnification much beyond 130 yards for holdover use at the normal distances I have a particular gun set up for cause it's a SFP scope.

Also, the new Athlon Ares and Helos models are high on my list to try but to my knowledge, not yet in stock at the usual web store suspects.

If you get the Bushnell Elite 2.5-16x you should never EVER have those types of problems.
I mention this specifically based on your $800 budget. Should be around $700 price range.
AJ

I have a good selection of different brand scopes and the ones made in China Leaper UTG, Center Point, Aeon, Hawke, Vector some other rebranded BSA, Mueller etc... don't seem to be as repeatable as those made in Japan. I asked Allen Zasadny his opinion on the best scope
brand for repeatability, durability and NO TROUBLES he told me Bushnell JAPAN hands down then Weaver JAPAN. Burris USA was praised as well. He had huge mouthful of words to say about scopes made in China as well since Allen is all about accuracy LOL! BEWARE that there are scopes made in China that are not labeled as such.
AJ

Have the SWFA 3-15x SS ordered and can't comment on it yet.
AJ

I have both SWFA and MTC would recommend both.

@AJ, where do you find min parallax info on Bushnell scopes? When I go to their website, it just says "side parallax". I am interested in a couple of the elite tactical line with G2 or G3 reticle but it so difficult to find comprehensive info without surfing 12 websites to patch together info. Thanks

You have to CALL them because in the past, I ordered based on what the seller's website stated and had received them with different minimum focus distance. For example the 4.5-30 I bought had it listed from a seller whos website stated 10 yards but it is 30 yards in reality. Call whomever you order it from to have them physically open the box and look at what the minimum focus is before buying since you are paying a premium price for these scopes.
AJ

Where are SWFA scopes made?

I would love to try the MTC Viper PRO. The labeled turret looks awesome

I am by no means a scope expert, but keep it mind that "airgun" scopes are meant to be used on springers as well as PCPs. Springers are brutal as hell, like getting kicked in the cheek every shot. Therefore, I would think that a quality product marketed to airgunners would be reasonably sturdy. Ted was stating in a recent video that he'd be getting an MTC in the near future, so unless someone weighs in here with negative MTC experiences, I'd at least consider that brand.

Again, I'm no expert by any means. Maybe I'm completely wrong. 

SWFA are made in Japan with Japanese glass. Frank, I also own 8 sidewinders. 2 in 6.5 - 20, 3 in 4-16. 2 in 6-24. And 1 in 8-32. To my eyes, the SWFA glass is better than any of the sidewinders and the frontier line of Hawkes.

The SWFA SS build quality, ruggedness, glass clarity and light transmission, turrets, and reticle combine to make a formidable optic at that price point.

rex has a thorough review of the Swfa 3-15 on youtube.

I have several Hawke Sidewinder 30s for reference and IMO are overpriced even considering the hard case they come in.
I recently got a Viper Pro 5-30x with the large turret and it looks as though it has the same clarity as the Hawke Sidewinder 30s I have and IMO the reticle is too fine and hard to see and I really hate using the button to turn the illumination on and off. I think they are over priced IMO. I also have the Viper Connect with the short eye relief, IMO it is not as clear as the Viper Pro and the reticle is also very difficult to see and IMO not worth the price. I have some Sightron S Tacs too and IMO same clarity as the Sidewinder 30s with no illumination but the reticles are easier for me to see but not worth the price IMO. I have the Hawke Frontier 5-30x as well and it is the clearest of all of these mentioned above however it does not have a 10 yard close focus ability unless you back the power down. I think it is WAY overpriced IMO. I have the Bushnell Elite 6500s in 2.5-16x and 4.5-30x (this one does not have 10 yard close focus) and they are by far the clearest brightest sharpest scopes compared to the above mentioned scopes including the Hawke Frontier and never had any issues with them and IMO worth their price. I ordered some SWFA SS 3-15x and await their arrival since I heard they are made in Japan and may possibly be the clearest compared to what I already have. I have heard issues with the Hawkes when clicking too much so I do not click when using my Hawkes and just hold over. The Bushnell Elites to date has withstood constant clicking with no issues. I have several other brands of Chinese cheaper scopes as mentioned above too.
AJ

Hawke only survived their first few years due to their warranty, many many a return but almost 24hr replacement time covered that. Has the first SR12 sold, lasted three shots ( RWS48) and was replaced asap then sold.

"I" "think" I could pick up a luppy 35x for $800 but then it would need a trip to the custom shop for mil-dot ( right?).
Get to a match and buy used and you'll come out way ahead.

John

Yeah the RWS side levers are extremely brutal on scopes. I would think only a good Bushnell Elite, Weaver V series, or Leupold VX2 and above would be trouble free in your case.
AJ

I have a question about country of origin and manufacture... WHY do some scopes have NO country of origin labeled on them? I even have a scope labeled "Designed in the USA" which I suspect was made in China. I have no problem with Chinese built scopes as long as they are priced accordingly and work as they should. I do not see the country of origin anywhere on my Hawke Frontier where it was made. I suspect China. As John posted, used Leupold would have been a smarter buy.
AJ