The LTR in .308 has a 20" heavy fluted barrel so while heavy, it can do double-duty as a sniper rifle (500 yards) and a hunting rifle (from stands mostly).

I'm looking for a scope ~$1K range
- 1st focal plane
- illum reticle
- mil dot or hash marks for range estimation
- 30 mm tube
- objective lens <44 mm (it's a small rifle)

Any recommendations?

Hunter308

I would take a look at the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x32mm FFP. I have shot a number of Vortex Viper PST scopes in 4-16x and 6-24x and have been pretty impressed with them. I use a Nightforce 2.5-10x32mm because I bought it about a week before Vortex released their FFP, adjustable parallax version. If I had it to do over again I would have bought two of the Vortex.

I use the Leupold 30mm 4.5x14x50 LR with the ILL German #4. I have 4 or 5 of them.

Look at the Nightforce NXS 2.5-10X32 and maybe the MOAR recticle. Bit more expensive then you wanted but well worth the $ IMHO.

Ditto Rule 303. Have one and love it, but mine is SFP, not that it would make much difference. At 500 you'ld want the 10X and stand hunting with a 308, it shoots flat enough that the SFP among powers is immaterial.
Great scope with excellent illumination system as well.

Nasdaq good choice. Mine has the NP-R2 reticle. Tough scope, great optics and as you say excellent illumination system. Very hard to beat.

I did a similar build on the Savage Precision Carbine. My choice was a Leupold 3.5-10 X 36 CDS with a German #4. My criteria was nearly the same as you as far as distances and accuracy to 500 yards. The cross hairs are a little on the thick side but I have no trouble shooting MOA out to 600. It fits the carbine length rifle well.