What height rings did you get?
I sell firearms/scopes/hunting&fishing junk etc.
Many scopes with 30mm tubes have an (ocular bell) a little larger than those on 1" tubes. That combined with the 90 degree bolt lift on the VGII's can cause some interference issues with the medium and even high rings.
On the VGII's I have mounted a few Burris Veracity's - 2.5-10X42 (30mm) and we ended up having to mount with extra-high Talley's to prevent the bolt handle from rubbing the bell (or picking off the caps). Awesome scope for all round hunting but a little out of your stated price point.
You might take a look at the Nikon Prostaff 7. Good glass (I just personally hate their BDC reticle with the little circles), but it would come in somewhat under-budget - leave enough money for a case of "practice/sighting ammo"