For the money, Nikon and Burris seem to be the best there is. But once you step up to the Monarch series depending on the scope size and magnification range, your in the ballpark for a Leupold VX-III, or Zeiss Conquest (with less magnification).
Scopes, like rifle cartriges, have ALOT to do with personal preferance, and aplication.
I own Nikons, Burris's, and Leupolds and am impressed by all 3. You can run a box test and they prove themselves time and time again. Just stay away from the side focus IMO.
1 thing to wach for if your going to be dialing in drops and windage with a Nikon is that one of thier models is 1/8 moa, not 1/4 moa adjustment. That equates to alot of clicks!
Someday Ill step up to play with the big boys and get a Leupold Mark 4 for a dedicated L/R scope, but for now Im happy with what Ive got for the range I shoot.