3-9x scopes - is there a point anymore?

erwos · May 8, 2019

I was mounting up an old spare Japanese-made 3-9x scope on a 308 AR that needed an optic last night, and got to thinking: is there really a market segment for 3-9x scopes anymore, or has it essentially been destroyed by the advent of 1-8x LPVOs? I honestly can't imagine ever buying another 3-9x, personally... not enough magnification on the high end, and lack of 1x (or even 1.25x or 1.5x!) on the low end makes it difficult to use in close-in applications.

Note that I'm not saying you couldn't use a 3-9x effectively if that's what you had, just that it seems like it's obsolescent compared to a 1-8x.

Shoyo · May 8, 2019

3-9 or a 4-12 are what I consider traditional hunting scopes. I think the field of view on a 3 or 4x power is wide enough to make quick enough shots in the field, if that's what you already got mounted on the deer-slayer. I have an old hunting rifle I inherited with an old bushnell on there. There are better out there but the old 3-9 gets the job done. With that said, I agree that I would buy a 1-8 before I got a 3-9. Just another opinion

fidelity · May 8, 2019

How lightweight are the 1-8x scopes, at least those in the sub $500 range?

3-9x scopes are typically used by hunters and have appeal because relatively decent quality glass can be found at a lower price ($100-200) ... and if you go with some options (like Leupold VX-1 or VX-2 scopes with 3-9x magnification for under $400 on sale), they can be around 12 oz in weight.

I bet even a basic $130-150 Nikon 3-9x will weigh less than most sub $500 1-8x scopes.

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SRD · May 8, 2019

From my experience growing up 3x9 was the standard for FUDDs since no one wanted to be limited to a 4x if the deer came out on the far end of the field and I think that mentality still exists.

Inigoes · May 8, 2019

fidelity said:
How lightweight are the 1-8x scopes, at least those in the sub $500 range?

3-9x scopes are typically used by hunters and have appeal because relatively decent quality glass can be found at a lower price ($100-200) ... and if you go with some options (like Leupold VX-1 or VX-2 scopes with 3-9x magnification for under $400 on sale), they can be around 12 oz in weight.

I bet even a basic $130-150 Nikon 3-9x will weigh less than most sub $500 1-8x scopes.

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You hit the nail on the head. Cost, 3x9 scopes can be made cheaply all day long.

Shoyo · May 8, 2019

Most 1-8x are between 1-1.5lbs.

erwos · May 8, 2019

Shoyo said:
Most 1-8x are between 1-1.5lbs.

Did a quick Google, and the Primary Arms 3-9x and Nikon P-223 3-9x is 15oz. Primary Arms 1-8x SFP is 17oz. I don't think the weight difference is all that much.

Price, I will admit, is a thing.

TheBulge · May 8, 2019

3-9x is surely dated and probably compared to modern scopes only useful for certain hunting applications.
A big reason, in addition to weight and cost, is probably increased light transmission with the relatively large objective lens on 3-9x, usually 40mm+ compared to 24mm on most LPV.

fidelity · May 8, 2019

erwos said:
Did a quick Google, and the Primary Arms 3-9x and Nikon P-223 3-9x is 15oz. Primary Arms 1-8x SFP is 17oz. I don't think the weight difference is all that much.

Price, I will admit, is a thing.

Hunters probably won't go for the Nikon P-223 (unless hunting with a 223 rifle of course), however this Nikon 3-9x 40mm is a very popular option ...

https://www.ebay.com/p/Nikon-16329-...-8-11-3-ft-BDC-Matte-Black/217357313?thm=1000

$120
13.3 oz

Eta: another Nikon 3-9x 40mm at $110, 13.1 oz (with 100 yd parallax setting) ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152954853016

And a Leupold 3-9x 40mm at $260, 11.2 oz ...

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006PH6BK0/

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dontpanic · May 8, 2019

I use them for rimfire rifles.Japanese Bushnell Banners. I get them at gun shows or ebay for $40-50.

davsco · May 8, 2019

generally an 8x magnification range scope will cost way more than a 3x magnification range

onedash · May 8, 2019

Will $4K scopes make $100 scopes obsolete? Probably not.

Lloyd · May 8, 2019

I believe that many of the original MK12s were equipped with a 3-9x Leupold MK4.

.

erwos · May 8, 2019

Lloyd said:
I believe that many of the original MK12s were equipped with a 3-9x Leupold MK4.

2.5-8x, IIRC, but point taken.

Biggfoot44 · May 8, 2019

Damn ! Y'all trying to make me seem prehistoric or what ? I'm still bashing 3-9 , and pointing out the inherent advantages of fixed power . [ No, I'm joking .]

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If the gun/ stock somewhat fits , and the scope height is somewhat close , no difference in target spotting and aquisition between a 2.5x and 1.0x . If your shooting from field postion , much less standing , only a certain amount of magnification is usable .

rseymorejr · May 8, 2019

I thought I had hit the big time when I was able to save up and get a 3X9 Bushnell for my Marlin 336. And take off that old K-Mart 4X scope

Pale Ryder · May 8, 2019

TheBulge said:
3-9x is surely dated and probably compared to modern scopes only useful for certain hunting applications.
A big reason, in addition to weight and cost, is probably increased light transmission with the relatively large objective lens on 3-9x, usually 40mm+ compared to 24mm on most LPV.

This.

They both have there place. That little 1x8x24 looks odd on a bolt action, just like that 3x9x50 looks out of place on an AR.

Doco Overboard · May 8, 2019

I have some 3x9's on a couple fudd style rifles as well as fixed 4, 2.5 1x7's Ler scout set ups and all that never really though about it because they all work pretty well. For hunting rifles I always just try to stick with something that has an exit pupil diameter as large as I can get at the lowest power for sitting towards dark.
During day light I try to consider glare as the worst especially on a few farms I hunt. On the shore wind primarily comes from the west and the shadows are taller in field edges in that direction= earlier game movement. All the magnification in the world doesn't do a thing with out good lens coatings/filters or blacked out tubes when looking that way at the wrong time.

Most of the stuff I run is cheap but works well in that respect. Some Chinese or Philippine 3x9 Weaver close outs I picked up a while back work exceptional well but the cross wires are real fine and bleed out when you're looking real hard.

The good stuff is one or two grand to start anyhow, I never spent that much on a scope or put one on my AR yet. Maybe one day but I doubt it.

gwchem · May 8, 2019

3x9 with a 50mm objective is perfect for the hunting I do. Anything longer than 9x and I don't risk a shot. Plus the wider objective works better in low light.

whistlersmother · May 8, 2019

Eiii... I just mounted my 3x9-40 on my Grendel... Am I a fudd, a wanna be mall ninja operator, or just behind the times?

3-9x scopes - is there a point anymore?

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