Rifle Scopes : Advice Needed

I suggest you go look on the samplelist.  There are 3 Schmidt and Bender 2.5-10 scopes available at an excellent price only slightly above your $1000.00, a Leica 2.5-10 for 1100.00,  and there is a Kahles 3-12x56 Helia C for 1100.00.  All of those have excellent glass and features and are better than the 3-9 mag range.  I would probably go with the Kahles, but I am a BIG Kahles fan.

If you have some time, watch the samplelist.  I've purchased a number of scopes there and never been disappointed.  I'm a cheapskate, but I like good stuff... samplelist is a real force multiplier.