Re: scope for my hunting rifle
I would have to second the 2.5-8 leupold as well, I've had one on a 06' abolt for 20+ years, never failed me yet. Very light, low profile, and durable. Only thing I'd change on mine is if I had it to do over again I'd get one of the mark 4 models with the M2 1/2 MOA low profile adjustment knobs and mildots.
That said my new favorite hunting scope (non-varmint) is the 3.5-10x M3 leupold, either the mark 4 or the old Viii tactical.
I like that it has exposed knobs but they are low profile. You get parallax adjustment, and you can dial your yardage super fast, no worries about rotations. Most times hunting you just can zero at 300 yards and use hold overs past that, but there are times where you have the time to dial the scope in as well, and having the low profile exposed knobs are great. Frankly more tac scopes need to get away from these huge 1"+ tall knobs.
A lot of guys scoff at the 1 moa adjustments for elevation but it's perfect for hunting. Even at 800 yards 1 MOA gets you +/- ~4" from your point of aim, close enough to be in the vitals on any medium to large game easily. A simple 1/4 turn of the knob, 20 clicks gets a 308 from 100 yard zero to 600 yards. I've used the .1 mil and 1/4 MOA adjust scopes and they take too long and are too easy to not be sure if you are a full revolution of adjustment off when dialing fast. When I've used these scopes in the past the bottom line is you can forget dialing in the field most of the time, it takes too long and is too easy to forget where you are in your adjustment.
The NF 3-15 would be a great hunting scope with the zero stop, but it has two problems for a lighter hunting rig. First it is heavy 30oz is more than twice the weight of the 2.5-8x and over a half pound more than the 3.5-10x M3. It's also a 50mm objective which requires larger/heavier mounts and makes it near impossible to get any kind of cheek weld with a hunting stock. The 2.5-10x32 isn't a bad option either, I'd have liked to have seen them do a 36-40mm objective, lower profile knobs as well, same weight as the 3.5-10 M3, makes for a very nice compact package, but as you said is out of your price range. It's also too bad they don't offer the MLR reticule in the 2.5-10x32. The NF is probably more durable and reliable, but the leupold is no slouch in that department either.