Rifle Scopes : What general-purpose scopes are 'tough?'

As I said: the Vortex viper at $499.95 comes very close.

 

While ALL makes are not similarly tough several of the brands I have mentioned are tougher than many of the brands which I have not mentioned. Example the Minox is very good glass the scope tube is rather soft and bends more easily compared to the tubes on other optics I have. Some optics Like BSA Barska Nikko and more simply will not outlast the scopes I have mentioned.  All scopes can be damaged by abuse so selecting one with a warranty like is found on the Vortex may be your best guarantee against the scope failing long term if you plan to abuse it as indicated. Leupold has a pretty good warranty also and so does Super Sniper.

 

"As far as that Mark 4 being a VX-3 in a tactical-looking tube, that's what Leupold says of it when I talk with them about it, not merely what I believe."  Im sorry you got hold of someone at Leupold who did not know what they are talking about. That still does not make it a VX-3 but the VX-3 is very close to your price range and has capped finger adjustable knobs but the reset is only a small piece of metal you move around to mark your zero point so you can not reset them like capped target knobs.  If you want you can go to Leupold Custom and order an VX-3 with Capped Target Knob but that does not make it the Mark 4.