Ideally, a 3-9×40 scope works best for close to mid-range shooting. Here 3x indicates the scope’s lowest magnification power whereas the 9x indicates the highest magnification power of the scope. The number “40” means the scope has an objective lens with a 40mm diameter.
Scopes with this magnification range can help you to easily aim up to 300 yards. On the other hand, the 40mm objective lens diameter allows sufficient light transmission through the glasses for a clear target image. Generally, this sort of scope is more used by hunters for deer hunting.
Therefore, if you’re looking for scopes for close-mid-range shooting, especially for hunting purposes, you can choose a scope with this magnification range and objective lens diameter.
What Factors To Consider Before Buying A 3-9×40 Scope?
Whenever you purchase a 3-9×40 scope, you need to check a few things to ensure the scope’s compatibility with your rifle. Below is the list of factors you should keep in consideration before buying the scope:
Shooting Distance: First you should think about your shooting distance. If you mostly shoot from close to mid-range distance, the 3-9×40 will be right for you. But if you shoot somewhat from a mid-long distance, find scopes that offer a higher magnification range.
Durability: The scope should be constructed with high-quality materials so that it can be sustained through any weather and environmental conditions. Especially if you’re using a hunting rifle, the scope must have the durability to be used in rough terrains as well.
Plus, the weak scope will never be able to withstand heavy recoils or impacts. Hence, don’t forget to check the construction materials of the scope before buying it.
Glass Construction: Then the lens of the scope needs to come with multi-coatings. Because these coatings work to ensure the maximum light transmission through the glasses. This allows you to have brighter and clearer images of the target.
Reticle: Different manufacturers design their 3-9×40 scopes with different types of reticle systems. So, consider the reticle type you’d like to use. Besides, some scopes are even crafted with an illuminated reticle system like the “Bushnell 3-9×40 Riflescope with DZ 223 Reticle”. It helps you to hunt in the low-light conditions as well.
Mount: Lastly, find the right mounting rings so that the scope can sit perfectly on your rifle. See whether your scope tube diameter is 30mm or 1 inch because the scope rings should be the same size as the tube diameter.
Moreover, you also need to check what ring height will be right for the scope to fit in perfectly. Normally, the medium-height rings work better with a 40mm objective lens scope. So for example, if you have a scope like “Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope”, to mount it on the rifle you’ll need 1” medium height scope rings as in “Vortex Optics Pro Series Riflescope Rings”.
FAQs
What scope is better, 3-9×40 or 4×32?
The choice of scope always depends on your shooting needs and distance. Even though both scopes are good for close to mid-range distance shooting, they are used for different shooting purposes. So, when the 3-9×40 scope works better for close-mid-range hunting, the 4×32 scope is perfect for precision shooting.
How good is 3x magnification?
The 3x magnification provides an average power to zoom in on the target image. You can easily use this magnification for close-range target acquisition. Hence, scopes with 3x magnification are best fitted for close-range hunting and target shooting.
What magnification is best for long-range shooting?
If you’re looking for a scope with a fixed magnification to shoot at long-range targets, you can go for a 10x magnification scope. But we would recommend you choose scopes that can offer you a wide range of magnification for long-distance shooting.
Is a bigger objective lens better?
The larger objective diameter means leans can transmit a maximum amount of light through the glass. This ultimately results in higher resolution and brighter target images. However, if your scope doesn’t come with a high magnification range, you don’t need a larger objective lens in your scope. So, for a close-mid magnification range, scopes with medium-sized objective lenses work fine.
Conclusion
To sum up, with a 3-9×40 scope you can see up to 300 yards quite easily. This scope will be best to use with hunting rifles. Especially if you love deer hunting, the scope will come as a great help in the shooting. But one thing to remember, having a scope with variable magnification won’t necessarily make you a good hunter.
The main idea of using a magnified scope is to have a clear target visibility to make accurate shots. Finally, just considering the magnification range and the objective lens diameter will not get you a compatible scope for your rifle. So, go through the factors we have mentioned above before buying a scope.
Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!
