re: Scope debate: 2-7x33 vs 3-9X40 - OP UPDATED

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I was really wanting to hear from someone who uses the smaller size scope and how the magnification worked out on longer shots.

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Interesting question, beHop. I'll date myself here, but when I first started hunting (I lived in the Pacific Northwest at the time), a serious big game hunter had a scope on his rifle, usually a 4X. A really, really serious hunter might have a 3-9X. I started off w/ a 3-9X on my 270, but later changed to a 2-7X compact. I killed lots of deer at all kinds of hunting ranges and never felt like the scope was underpowered. When I changed exclusively to handgun hunting, I used a 4X. Over the years, handgun scopes have evolved so the most powerful one is a 3-12X. Honestly, I don't really need that extra power for type of deer hunting I do, but it's sure nice to have it. The main thig about extra magnifcication is that it's addicting. I"ve succesffully hit deer as far as 350 yds w/ a 7X scope. You can too if you want. The question is: what is more important to you...compactness/lightness or magnification?