I think the choices in consumer-grade lenses in this range are not the best. I've had the DA 55-300, the WR 55-300, the DA 50-200, and the Tamron 70-300. All of them have quality control issues to one degree or another. The Tamron is the most consistent across the frame throughout the zoom range, although on mine the left side is a little weak in the mid-range of the zoom. The 50-200 has an issue on the left side at the long end. The various 550-300s have been all over the map - some of mine have been truly horrible. If you could get a 55-300 that was consistent across the frame at all focal lengths, it would be the best performer of the bunch. The 55--300s are have better contrast than the other lenses, and if you look at pre-PP results - and you have a rare good copy - you'll prefer the 55-300 over the other lenses. After PP, the results get closer. I wish there was something in-between the xx-300s and the 60-250 (price, performance, and size/weight-wise), but as far as I know, there isn't (for Pentax, at least.)
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