I may be the odd man out here. I prefer fixed power scopes. I spend my time trying to reduce variation in my shooting. Variable power scopes meet most shooters' needs, but they have more moving parts to rattle loose, and some do not repeat as well as I like when they have been adjusted up or down in power. For hunting at the distances you mention, I would look at a fixed 6 or 10 power scope. They are getting harder to find now, and it seems that the all of the manufacturers have jumped on the variable power bandwagon.
I have three scopes that I swap around with rail mounts and Leupold QRW rings. One 6X Nikon, and one each 10X and 16X Super Sniper. I worked up a chart for each scope for each rifle and each load. I drop the scope on, dial in the adjustments from my chart, and off I go hunting. Works well for me, and I don't spend a grand to top every rifle I own. The best part is that I spent less on the three scopes than I would have on one MK4 Leupold. It could be argued that I don't have Leupold quality either, but my results in the field and on the range tell me a I made the best choice for me.
I liked the exposed target knobs and didn't want a cap either. That was, until I found that my pack was rubbing against the large knobs and readjusting my scope with every stride I took. Now those covers look pretty good. You always have the option of taking them off if you don't want them. Putting them on a scope that never had them, however…………
I like the 30mm tubes. They usually offer more elevation adjustment than the 1" tubes do.
I won't own another scope without target knobs. Given the time, I zero my scope for the shot I'm taking. Target knobs are the only way to do that in a hunting situation.
Any ticked reticle that you can learn to shoot with will be fine. I prefer the Mil-dot, but I would gladly use the others as well.