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3-9×40 scopes for a first rifle
The 3-9×40 has been the default deer-rifle scope for fifty years because the numbers work: 3× is wide enough for a running shot at 50 yards, 9× is enough for a still one at 300, and 40 mm keeps the exit pupil above 4 mm at the top. Every scope here fits that pattern. Most have fixed parallax set at 100 yards, so check that column if you also shoot inside 50.
6 scopes · Sorted by approximate price, lowest first.
| Scope | Layout | Plane | Travel | Weight | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell R3 3-9x40 | 3-9×40 | SFP | 65 MOA (≈18.9 MRAD) | 14.6 oz | ~$150 |
| Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 | 3-9×40 | SFP | 60 MOA (≈17.5 MRAD) | 14.8 oz | ~$190 |
| Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40 Rimfire .22 HV | 3-9×40 | SFP | 100 MOA (≈29.1 MRAD) | 15.2 oz | ~$239 |
| Riton 3 Primal 3-9x40 EER | 3-9×40 | SFP | 80 MOA (≈23.3 MRAD) | 26.88 oz | ~$280 |
| Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL | 3.5-10×40 | SFP | 55 MOA (≈16 MRAD) | 13.1 oz | ~$599 |
| Trijicon Huron 3-9x40 | 3-9×40 | SFP | 40 MOA (≈11.6 MRAD) | 15.8 oz | ~$735 |
3-9×40SFP · 1-inch tube
Vortex
Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40
- Weight
- 14.8 oz
- Travel
- 60 MOA
- Exit pupil
- 4.4 mm at 9×
SFP0.25 MOA
Hunting~$190
3-9×40SFP · 1-inch tube
Hawke
Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40 Rimfire .22 HV
- Weight
- 15.2 oz
- Travel
- 100 MOA
- Exit pupil
- 4.4 mm at 9×
SFP0.25 MOAIlluminated
Rimfire~$239
3-9×40SFP · 1-inch tube
Riton
Riton 3 Primal 3-9x40 EER
- Weight
- 26.88 oz
- Travel
- 80 MOA
- Exit pupil
- 4.4 mm at 9×
SFP0.25 MOA
Hunting~$280
3.5-10×40SFP · 1-inch tube
Leupold
Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL
- Weight
- 13.1 oz
- Travel
- 55 MOA
- Exit pupil
- 4 mm at 10×
SFP0.25 MOAZero stop
Hunting~$599