You get bout what you pay for. Cheap zcope, you threw money away. Vortex has a good quality for the money budget scope.
go with Leupold or Burris or make the jump to the really dollar scopes. what's your "pricey" range? also, i would stick with matte. i have two silver scopes and while they look good and match the rifle (and pistol), too bright when the sun hits it. if you're set on a silver one, i have a silver leupold VX3 i'm replacing on a rifle, $300.
Nikons seem to be great scopes for the money! I have a Buckmaster, a Prostaff and one with the BDC reticle that may be a prostaff for 223.
I love my Nikon. Great glass for the money.... My Prostaff is clear as a bell, and the BDC reticle is da bomb.
I forgot to mention I also have Nikon Prostaff Binos. I'm sure you can spend more money but for $150 I'm very satisfied!
