I have a 4-16x50 nikko stirling nighteater 30mm tube on my .223, i never have problems with it, its great under the lamp and i have used it a bit on steel out to 350m but mostly under 200. The guy i lamp with a lot just got a .223 and put the 6-24x56 version with the 1 inch tube on his and its much the same as mine. Long story short i would recommend them at your budget