Is 20x decent “HD” glass good enough to reach out to a mile or slightly beyond?  Using like a 7mm or .30 caliber magnum class of cartridge.  Shooting steel 1.5-2 MOA plates and stuff, obviously... not shooting “for groups”.

I’ve read that people often dial back to 15-18x at a mile anyways even if their scopes have more power. I’m just looking if that’s enough glass to connect with frequency assuming the rifle is capable (glass won’t be holding me back)?

Or should I go full send, take out a second mortgage and get a 27x/30x/40x scope?

OK, so a 2 MOA target at 2,000 yards with a 20x optic is optically similar to shooting a 2 inch (MOA) target with a scope with NO (1x) magnification at 100 yards...  I hope that helps...

I've shot at 2000 yards with my 4.5-27 razor turned down to 20..it worked, was better at 27....

doubled...

I'd go with the NF NX8 2.5-20x50mm.

Seem like with the NX8 you're paying a lot (and taking some other compromises) to get that 2X bottom end and big top end.  Yes, the 2X is nice for things like scanning, brush, shooting/tracking moving targets under 100yds... all could be excellent for a hunting rifle.  But 2X on the low end isn't really worth a premium like the NX8 would cost for an ELR precision gun that I'll never take on some kind of big game hunt.  I'd throw one on a <10LB 6.5CM bolt gun or SPR in a heartbeat... but it's just not on my radar for an ELR build.

Scope on my current shortlist:

Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50 FFP
Razor Gen II 4.5-27x56 FFP
Burris XTR Pro or III 5.5-30x56 FFP
Bushnell Tactical Elite 4.5-30x50
Sightron SVIII 5-40x56 FFP
Leupold Mark 5 HD 5-25x56
Leupold Mark 5 HD 7-35x56
Trijicon Tenmile

Zero Compromise Optic ZC420