Being a fan of the Vortex optics service & support, I might suggest the 2-8x or 3-12x DBHP models if you are open to the simple v-plex reticle (the 2-8x goes as low as $190 while the 3-12x is $220 on Amazon, sold by Camera Land.)
Having owned the Nikon EFR, I find I trust the turrets on the DBHP more & I prefer the side-focus over the adjustable objective.
Here's a Vortex Diamondback HP 3-12x42 for under $200 brand new from a well respected online retailer. I'm sure A&A Optics will maybe price match?????
Vortex Diamondback HP 3-12x42mm Riflescope FREE S&H DBK-10015, DBK-10017. Vortex Rifle Scopes.
Use coupon code 10LABRD for 10% off. Free shipping, and you're under $200. It'll probably expire soon, though.
That'll be the bees knees on that rifle. This is one HELL of a scope for the $. Much better than that Nikon you listed. The glass and coating is better, zoom range is wider, guts are all metal, it'll track much better and has a larger adjustment range, and has Side Focus (since you're using this on a Rimfire, it's really nice to be able to adjust parallax for the shorter distances you'll likely shoot). Plus, you can't beat Vortex's customer service, they are the best (along with Leupold and Weaver in my experience).
I have the Diamondback HP 2-8 on my squirrel rifle (I prefer 2x on the low end for my squirrel gun). Best scope I could find for under $200.
I cant price match that, it was discontinued years ago, OP is just late on dumping old inventory. I dont know when I sold out (no more to be made), but it was awhile ago.
I thought the DBHPs were introduced in 2014? These are definitely old-stock units, but I'm not certain I can point to anything that I would consider a "better" value for $200. As mentioned, the Nikon EFR scope is nice but I don't know that it does anything that the DBHP doesn't and I prefer the CS w/ Vortex (if I need it.)
If the OP gets one of these DBHPs, be ready to call Vortex for new scope cap (or just get flip caps, if you prefer) as every DBHP I have received arrived without the plastic inserts. CS has always shipped out a new cover and never given me an issue, though.
The V-Plex reticle still shows up on Vortex's site. Wonder why it's discontinued. I like the V-plex reticle more than a BDC reticle. But I'd prefer a mil-dot or EBR type reticle.
Is all they have on the DBHP a BDC reticle now? I'm really not a fan of bullet drop compensating reticles. I'd rather they put the hash marks every 5moa (for moa turret scopes) or something with a standard graduation instead of drop hashes at 3 moa, 13.5 moa, and 30 moa like the Vortex BDC does.
The has subtention's at odd numbers to match "standard" bullet drop's. They are not designed to actually measure anything, they are made to say "100yd zero, 200 1st dot, 200 2nddot, 400 3rd dot, etc".
Just a note: these are just my thoughts. I get that a lot of people like the BDC reticles, and that's cool too. Different strokes for different folks.
I get what BDC reticles are for. And they are alright for getting you close. But I don't like them because they're not going to line up exactly for the load and barrel length I'm using (I'm anal and have issues...). For hunting, yeah, they're close enough.
For me, I prefer to stick with Kentucky windage and / or dialing in with the turrets with a V-plex rather than using a BDC reticle. For hunting, I can pretty well hold over based on the body of the animal since you know about how big a deer (or whatever you're hunting) is. Gets me just as close as a BDC. On the range, or slower hunting when it's viable, I'll just dial in with the turrets.
Too bad they got rid of the V-Plex. Looks like I'll have to scoop up a couple more since the price is so cheap. If you like the V-plex reticles, seems like you really can't beat the prices on Vortex scopes right now.
99% of the time a BDC reticle wont be perfect. When I use a BDC reticle I put a range card on my stock, and it rarely had round numbers on it. It would look like
100=zerp
1st dot=220
2nd dot 310
3rd dot 390
etc,etc.
If Im shooting 325 I would know to aim a touch high with the 2nd dot. It basically gives you known points of referance to make your kentucky windage more accurate.