.357 Mag Contender carbine scope choice?

[J A XSP]

Right now I'm working up loads on my new Van Horn .357 Mag 18" barrel and it's wearing a Bushnell Trophy 3-9X scope. That's a scope I've had on a number of different barrels and it's been responsible for a fair number of deer and pigs and is a good 100 yard bench scope. I just don't think I want to use it on that barrel permanently and I'm looking for the best upgrade. That scope isn't particularly bulky but something nice and compact would be the right choice for that rig.

I've got 2-7X32 on a few barrels and it seems like that's the right range for the barrel's capability. I don't want to lose too much magnification because it's so accurate, I could easily do accuracy work out past 100 yard. It's tempting to put something like a 4-12X on it that would let me really wring it out at 200 but that seems impractical. I don't really want to break the bank but wouldn't mind having a somewhat premium scope on this rig. Nothing wrong with a standard Plex type reticle for this chambering but a decent compensating reticle could make it possible to fine-tune the POI at further distances and increase it's effective range. I think my realistic budget is about $300 tops and wouldn't mind keeping it under $200.

Some choices I've considered:
- I've got a couple of Vortex Crossfire II 2-7X and I really like them. Could find another of those at a reasonable price. For the money, they're probably the best.
- I have a Nikon Prostaff 2-7X that I'm borrowing from my brother and should really return one of these days. :) Those are around on Ebay for under $300 and I like the optic.
- Saw a Mueller 2-7X on Amazon for a decent price and have seen quite good reviews on that one.
- Saw a Sig Sauer Whiskey 3 on Amazon for $117. Don't know anything but the brand name which has a great reputation but this is obviously a budget line.
- There are always used Leupold scopes for $250 to $300 on Ebay.
- Ditto used and vintage Burris, Weaver, various Nikon models, etc.

What's out there that I'm not considering? Any strong preferences amongst the pistol-round carbine shooters here?

Thanks for the input! :)