I have a ruger compact in 308....I will be hunting pig and deer in california I need help deciding what kind of scope to put on it.Willing to spend up to 500.00, but I don't want anything that over powers the rifle as this is a small gun. I was thinking about a straight 6x, but am open to ideas.

I like your approach-fixed power. How about a fixed 4x Leupold (FX2 or 3)?

If you want something different, send it to TK LEE and put a big dot on it (2-4 moa). For field hunting, holding an honest 4 MOA from a sitting, kneeling or offhand position is pretty good. You'll have a big "probability dot" in your scope, and be just fine out to 300 yards with it. Even at 300 yards, the 4 inch dot will be 12" across (2/3 of a broadside shot of a deer). Zero for 2-3" high at 100 yards, and at 300 yards, put the dot on top of a deer's spine-and it's all over as soon as you make the shot.

Dots don't get enough mention. They are very practical tools for hunting.

http://scopedot.com/

I have a couple different Kahles 2-7x32's on 308's and think they fit really well. You can see with both eyes open at 2x but crank it up if you have a longer shot. I like both the TDS and 4a reticle. Unless you find a used one they might be a little over $500.
Another suggestion would be a Leupold 1.5-5 or 1.75-6. They aren't quite as good optically but as the Kahles but are usually pretty tough scopes. For Hunting I'd get a heavy duplex, the finer duplex is better for target shooting...........DJ

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=1925

Should be under $400.00 and the Zeiss Conquest are excellent scopes

I have done a lot of hunting with 308 rifles and 6x scopes... However I tend to agree with dj, It isa hard to beat a variable scope in the 1-5/2-8 range. Ty have the best of all worlds.
The Leup[old 1,75-6, the Kahles 2-7 and the Leupold 2.5-8 are all about the same size as most 4x.

I have a couple of the Zeiss 3-9 with the 1" tube. Excellent scopes.

thx, for the info your thought process is along the same lines as mine was just wanted to make sure I was not to far off base. I will prob go with a leupold 1.75-6, or a kahles 2-7. Just have to shop around now and look for a deal