The local Cabelas had their American Marksman Luepold 3X9 on sale for $150 and I got a couple of them. I put one on this SAKO
I have been going to CMP Talladega about once a month, some rifles have 1X4 scopes, and I shot decent groups at 300 yards with the things. The black bull looked like a period, but, I could quarter the thing. I will say, the further you go out, the more I prefer more magnification. I have taken my SAKO out and shot out to 600 yards with the thing, and I do prefer a 3X9 to any of the 1X4's, or the 2X7 I have on a Ruger #1. At the low end, I don't see a big difference between two power versus three power. Close up either are just as good. For decades a fixed 4X was a standard scope, this is an El Paso Weaver on top of this rifle
Was able to shoot groups like this at 300 yards with it:
But I decided it had to have more magnification, and while the group is tighter, it is also has less shots.
You have to decide what distances you plan to use your rifle, a 2X7 is not a bad choice, neither is a 3X9. For paper punching, I prefer the higher magnifications.