If you can find one a Nikko Stirling Airking 2-9x42 or 4-12x42 would be good. Both are AO and both should be well under your budget of $300 (around $250?) but I am not sure if they are still available. Never seen a 2nd hand one as owners tend to hold onto them.
I just had a rummage through our boxes of scopes and I have the four below, all brand new and in the box
(been in the box for about 11 years in storage from the shop.... and priced at the same price they were then...)
3-9x40 Nikko Gold crown $199
3.5-10x40 Nikko Stirling Gold Crown (silver or black) $ 235
3.5-10x42 Nikko Stirling Night Eater with AO turret $349.00
4-16x50 Nikko Stirling Night Eater $379
3.5-10x45 Nikko Stirling Platinum range $450 (their premium range at the time in Gloss black with euro style eye piece)
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