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Thread: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

  1. #1
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    3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    Much advantage with the 4-12 if say looking at a deer at 200-300yds compared to the 3-9??. Thanks Rob
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  3. #2
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    None I'd say. 200 or 300 yards is not that far away...

  4. #3
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    12 power is tough to keep steady enough to see effectively unless you have a good rest to hold to.
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  5. #4
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    I have a 4.5-14 burris on one of my rifles and I like it a lot. It gathers little well and it could make the difference when you have to count points before you can pull the trigger.

  6. #5
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    Quote Originally Posted by Mulies View Post
    I have a 4.5-14 burris on one of my rifles and I like it a lot. It gathers little well and it could make the difference when you have to count points before you can pull the trigger.
    That's why you have binocluars with you.
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  7. #6
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    I don't mind the higher power scopes.

    None I'd say. 200 or 300 yards is not that far away...
    You will have 3X extra over the 3-9
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  8. #7
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    Well, look at it this way - a 3-9 would allow you to shoot something at 900 yards with the same view you would get at 100 yards with the naked eye (which most people with reasonable eyesight would consider a fairly easy shot to take with a 1x scope). Obviously, you're never (I hope) going to fling lead at a critter at 900 yards out. In more practical terms - that same 9 power would let you see a critter at 300 yards as if it was at 34-ish yards. Most of us think that's plenty of zoom. To be honest, even a fixed 4 power or a 2-7 is plenty to allow you to accurately place a shot at sane hunting ranges. Me and a buddy spent half a day banging the 250 yard gong at the range in off-hand target practice with a 4 power the other day - and we were nailing about 9 out of 10 with the little 4 power, and didn't feel like we needed more zoom.

    However, that said - a 4-12 would make counting points in the scope easier, if that's how you count points (I concur that bino's is the proper way to get a point count).
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  9. #8
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    personally I prefer the 3-9x, Ive owned 4.5-14 and 4-12x, 5-15x, all of them have gone on their way to be replaced with fixed 6 powers, or the 3-9. The extra magnification is only an asset while shooting targets in my opinion, and the smaller field of view is a negative of the larger scopes on a hunting rifle
    "If you ever go into the bush, there are grizzly bears lurking behind just about every bush, waiting to pounce, so you need a powerful gun, with huge bullets" - Gatehouse ~ 2004

  10. #9
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    I have 3-9 and 4.5-14, I find I never have my scope lower than 6x, unless in real tight bush ie 40yd shot. It takes a little practice but when you know where your looking when you bring your scope up the higher power is nice. 4or 5 times now having a high power scope has saved me and my friends from the embarasment of shooting an illegal animal, you have 10x binos, that little bit extra the 14x gives you helps alot!!. my 2c

  11. #10
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    Re: 3-9x40 vs. 4-12x40

    I have the 4.5-14 and in most shooting situations it's on 9 power, but it is very helpful when your watching an animal and trying to assess how many points it has so you can make the shot before it goes out of sight.

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