I bought Weaver t24 1/8 dot - very disappointed as it looks like a cloudy day next to my bushnell scopes.

My choices now are

Bushnell 4200 6x24 1/4 dot
Sightron Big Sky 6x24

or should I just save my money for the 24pwr Leopold?

The Leupold FXIII-25x42 is a personal favorite, along with a wonderful old Benchrest x24 picked up here on Steelchickens (thanks again Byron - it's a beauty!) And then there's that lifetime warranty thing that makes them so desirable. Love 'em!

Sightron and Weaver have a good reputation for reliability and decent glass.

elk300,
Weaver T series is not as bright as many other scopes. They do have a good mechanial reputation though. When I was younger I used to shoot with the T 10 scope. I prefer the Leupolds/Premiers but that is my personal choice.
Sightron does make a brighter scope and I can tell you from the experience of two friends that they do honor their warranties.

So in short, the preference is really a personal thing as to what your eyes like.

Innocent Mary