Maybe unworthy of your project but a scope that is surprisingly good is the Chinese Discovery 5-25x ED PRS scope. Big fat turrets, good clicks, pretty nice glass. My Meopta on the other hand has the clearest glass to my eyes.
I have two Bergara's, 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC. They seem pretty nice and are accurate. I put a tanker style muzzle brake on each to tame some of their kick. That contributed to my tinnitus and probably to anyone else to the side of me at the range. I was so glad when my Banish 30 suppressor...
Update to this: Used CLR (calcium lime remover) and vinegar diluted in water in the ultrasonic cleaner and detergent followups, finally was able to twist the pieces apart. CLR works very well and is one of the things recommended.
Am having that same issue right now. Trying penetrating oil. Sonic cleaned 4 times with detergent before this, no luck yet. Someone else used rubber strap wrenches. I only had one and could not get enough torque to budge anything.