3x9 vs. other variable power scopes, quality for the money

bricz75 · May 10, 2015, 04:30 PM

I remember reading something along the lines that 3x9 variable power scopes are more competitively priced than variable power scopes of other power ranges. Does a person get more scope for the money with the 3x9 compared to others? A little more? A lot more?

603Country · May 10, 2015, 06:29 PM

I admit that I do not know the answer to your questions. I will say that after years with 3x9 scopes, I have transitioned to 4-16 scopes or 4.5-14 scopes. The 4 power is low enough for most any hunting, and the 16 power comes in very handy from time to time.

rickyrick · May 10, 2015, 09:39 PM

Yes, 3-9 are generally better priced.
Even compared to fixed power scopes.

There's a lot to choose from

jmr40 · May 10, 2015, 09:56 PM

I think so. There are a lot of very good 3-9X40 scopes made by Redfield, Burris, Leupold, Vortex, and Nikon as well as a few others that sell for right at $200. I have some more expensive scopes, but wouldn't hesitate to use any of the above brands $200 scopes. Going up to the 4-12X or greater will cost $50-$100 more.

If I'm spending an extra $100 I'd choose a 3-9X40 in a VX-2 instead of spending the same money on a VX-1 in a 4-12X scope. In my experience moving up one level in quality makes for a much clearer view than a few more X's.

My experience is polar opposite to 603 country. I have about equal numbers of 1-4X, 2-7X and 3-9X scopes. I'm finding the lower powers more useful for hunting. I like the ability to crank my 3-9x scopes up to 9X for range shooting, but can't remember the last game I shot at with the scope on anything but the lowest setting.

bricz75 · May 10, 2015, 10:12 PM

Quote:

I think so. There are a lot of very good 3-9X40 scopes made by Redfield, Burris, Leupold, Vortex, and Nikon as well as a few others that sell for right at $200. I have some more expensive scopes, but wouldn't hesitate to use any of the above brands $200 scopes. Going up to the 4-12X or greater will cost $50-$100 more.

Interesting...How about in the opposite direction? In other words how much more does a person have to spend on a 1.5X4 or 2X7 to get the same quality as a 3X9 costing about $200?

SSA · May 11, 2015, 12:05 AM

A 2-7 is going to be just as good as a 3-9 in the same line, and they often cost less. Sometimes a 4-12 costs the same as a 3-9.
I just checked prices on Vortex Diamondbacks. 2-7, 3-9, 4-12 were priced within $10 of each other. The same site had Nikon Prostaff 2-7 and 3-9 for the same price. There is no reason to think the 3-9 will be a better scope than the others.
If you want the most for the money, look for a sale or a discontinued model.

603Country · May 11, 2015, 09:14 AM

Jmr40 makes a very good point, in that the scope power range that he needs and wants isn't necessarily what I need. Many years ago I hunted in heavy brush and on narrow pipeline ROW's, and I hunted on 4 power most of the time. Only rarely did I ever need anything more than 6 power. Then I moved to Texas and have more open ground to hunt, and I'm hunting smaller critters a lot. These days, on my power line ROW, I keep the scope on 8 power. A more common shot now would be a coyote at 200+ yards. As for the 14 or 16 power, that's mostly for punching paper and not needing a spotting scope. So probably it would be fair to say that I don't really NEED a 4-16 scope power range, but it's convenient for me. I could get by quite easily with a 3-9 scope, but have chosen not to. And I've put the 2-7 leupolds on 22 lever guns, where they seem perfect.

bricz75 · May 13, 2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

If you want the most for the money, look for a sale or a discontinued model.

Good point.

rickyrick · May 13, 2015, 06:49 PM

People's power range needs are different. Myself; I rarely go past 4x. I could probably make due with 2.5x

I always find 3-9 cheaper and more common.

I have a stack of great vintage weavers scored on eBay. I noticed many others in ranges that didn't interest me.

Some you can get a box full of them for the price of one new scope...

Bultaco · May 14, 2015, 08:39 AM

There is a reason that 3x9 is the most popular power range. It fits a huge spectrum of situations. To get good quality at a higher magnification level takes better glass and puts you in a different price class. With the exception of small rodents I find 9x to be more power than I use in the field. I have had a number of big game hunting companions fail to get what should have been a decent shot in because they insisted on running the power all the way up on their scopes. The small field of view and amplified "shakes" meant that the animal went unmolested.
I purchase used scopes in Leupold and Burris brands because I know they will fix any internal issues I might have. It takes a bit of patience if they need to be returned to the factory but I usually buy them at about 50% of current retail.

Pathfinder45 · May 14, 2015, 01:53 PM

I find the Leupold 3-9x40 to be just right for a bolt action hunting rifle like a 270 or 30-'06. I can't stand the size of all the great-big-fat-monster scopes that are so popular these days.

rickyrick · May 14, 2015, 02:16 PM

I too find high magnification more difficult to shoot with than the lower ranges. Some settings I see my heartbeat in the scope

Unlicensed Dremel · May 20, 2015, 08:04 PM

Indeed. Yes, that is the case. I'd say moderately to "a lot" more. Probably "moderately more".

There's a lot to be said for a 3-9x40 or 3-9x42 (Sightron). I have several in this config (in addition to two 2.5-10x40s - Elite 4200s). My favorite is the Nikon Omega in 3-9x40. Great value, espec. if you get the refurb ones from Natches.

May 10, 2015, 04:30 PM	#1
bricz75 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2012 Posts: 297	3x9 vs. other variable power scopes, quality for the money I remember reading something along the lines that 3x9 variable power scopes are more competitively priced than variable power scopes of other power ranges. Does a person get more scope for the money with the 3x9 compared to others? A little more? A lot more?

May 10, 2015, 09:39 PM	#3
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	Yes, 3-9 are generally better priced. Even compared to fixed power scopes. There's a lot to choose from __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

May 13, 2015, 06:49 PM	#9
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	People's power range needs are different. Myself; I rarely go past 4x. I could probably make due with 2.5x I always find 3-9 cheaper and more common. I have a stack of great vintage weavers scored on eBay. I noticed many others in ranges that didn't interest me. Some you can get a box full of them for the price of one new scope... __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

May 14, 2015, 02:16 PM	#12
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	I too find high magnification more difficult to shoot with than the lower ranges. Some settings I see my heartbeat in the scope __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

May 10, 2015, 06:29 PM	#2
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I admit that I do not know the answer to your questions. I will say that after years with 3x9 scopes, I have transitioned to 4-16 scopes or 4.5-14 scopes. The 4 power is low enough for most any hunting, and the 16 power comes in very handy from time to time.

May 10, 2015, 09:56 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I think so. There are a lot of very good 3-9X40 scopes made by Redfield, Burris, Leupold, Vortex, and Nikon as well as a few others that sell for right at $200. I have some more expensive scopes, but wouldn't hesitate to use any of the above brands $200 scopes. Going up to the 4-12X or greater will cost $50-$100 more. If I'm spending an extra $100 I'd choose a 3-9X40 in a VX-2 instead of spending the same money on a VX-1 in a 4-12X scope. In my experience moving up one level in quality makes for a much clearer view than a few more X's. My experience is polar opposite to 603 country. I have about equal numbers of 1-4X, 2-7X and 3-9X scopes. I'm finding the lower powers more useful for hunting. I like the ability to crank my 3-9x scopes up to 9X for range shooting, but can't remember the last game I shot at with the scope on anything but the lowest setting.

May 11, 2015, 12:05 AM	#6
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	A 2-7 is going to be just as good as a 3-9 in the same line, and they often cost less. Sometimes a 4-12 costs the same as a 3-9. I just checked prices on Vortex Diamondbacks. 2-7, 3-9, 4-12 were priced within $10 of each other. The same site had Nikon Prostaff 2-7 and 3-9 for the same price. There is no reason to think the 3-9 will be a better scope than the others. If you want the most for the money, look for a sale or a discontinued model.

May 11, 2015, 09:14 AM	#7
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Jmr40 makes a very good point, in that the scope power range that he needs and wants isn't necessarily what I need. Many years ago I hunted in heavy brush and on narrow pipeline ROW's, and I hunted on 4 power most of the time. Only rarely did I ever need anything more than 6 power. Then I moved to Texas and have more open ground to hunt, and I'm hunting smaller critters a lot. These days, on my power line ROW, I keep the scope on 8 power. A more common shot now would be a coyote at 200+ yards. As for the 14 or 16 power, that's mostly for punching paper and not needing a spotting scope. So probably it would be fair to say that I don't really NEED a 4-16 scope power range, but it's convenient for me. I could get by quite easily with a 3-9 scope, but have chosen not to. And I've put the 2-7 leupolds on 22 lever guns, where they seem perfect.

May 14, 2015, 08:39 AM	#10
Bultaco Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2013 Location: Western Co. Posts: 156	There is a reason that 3x9 is the most popular power range. It fits a huge spectrum of situations. To get good quality at a higher magnification level takes better glass and puts you in a different price class. With the exception of small rodents I find 9x to be more power than I use in the field. I have had a number of big game hunting companions fail to get what should have been a decent shot in because they insisted on running the power all the way up on their scopes. The small field of view and amplified "shakes" meant that the animal went unmolested. I purchase used scopes in Leupold and Burris brands because I know they will fix any internal issues I might have. It takes a bit of patience if they need to be returned to the factory but I usually buy them at about 50% of current retail.

May 14, 2015, 01:53 PM	#11
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	I find the Leupold 3-9x40 to be just right for a bolt action hunting rifle like a 270 or 30-'06. I can't stand the size of all the great-big-fat-monster scopes that are so popular these days.

May 20, 2015, 08:04 PM	#13
Unlicensed Dremel Junior member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Flathead Valley, MT Posts: 2,187	Indeed. Yes, that is the case. I'd say moderately to "a lot" more. Probably "moderately more". There's a lot to be said for a 3-9x40 or 3-9x42 (Sightron). I have several in this config (in addition to two 2.5-10x40s - Elite 4200s). My favorite is the Nikon Omega in 3-9x40. Great value, espec. if you get the refurb ones from Natches.