2x7 or 3x9 scope

[JO JO]

will I am thinking of picking up a savage hog hunter 308, I am also thinking of possible scopes down the road, most uses will be inside 300 yards what would be a good all purpose scope magnification 2x7 or 3x9 ?
would the 2x7 be a better choice for say 50 to 300 yards ?

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

2x7 would be my choice for that gun and range.

 

[LoonWulf]

In my experience it won't really matter. I've shot stuff as close as about 10yds with both a 2-7 and 3-9s, and both work just fine. At 100yds shooting itty bitty groups is a little easier with the 9x, but still not that much easier, or necessary for a hunting rifle.

The one advantage 2-7s have is they tend to be built with slightly smaller object lenses, so (normaly) weigh less. The hog Hunter isn't a particularly light rifle, so the extra weight of the larger 40mm glass won't matter much I'm.

Personally I'm moving to 1-4 or similar for my sub 300yd hunting guns, the lower 1 power does matter in a few of the places I hunt pigs. Not on shots where the animal isn't moving, but where I've basically stepped on them and they try make break at 10-20ft. Inside of 300yds 4x is enough to land a bullet in the kill zone or shoot thru a hole in brush.

 

[joneb]

For what it's worth I put a 2x7x32 Vortex Crossfire 2 BDC on a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. So far I am very happy with it.

 

[NWPilgrim]

My latest scopes have all been 2-7x33 (Leupold). I think the smaller objective allowing a lower mount and usually a bit shorter and lighter weight make it a more handy woods scope. Also you get a wider field of view at 2x for close in moving animals. Shooting beyond 200 yds would be the exception for me so I favor the capabilities at the lower end as being needed more frequently.

I don't hunt pigs but I would think it depends on the style of hunting. If you are shooting from a fixed position at longer range over bait then a 3-9x would be better. But if you are in the field and having to take snap shots at moving pigs then the 1-4x or 2-7x or even a red dot would be better.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

Leupold 2-7 firedot is my choice.

 

[jmr40]

I'd pick a 3-9X40 between the 2. I used to use a lot of 2-7X scopes, but have moved either up, or down in size. There isn't enough difference in size or weight to matter and there is no practical difference between 2X and 3X on the lower end. There are more options for quality 3-9X40 scopes and at better prices than 2-7X32's. In the real world there just isn't any difference. The 2-7X would certainly work, but I don't see it having any advantages over a 3-9X.

If you want a lighter, trimmer scope that is quick to use skip the 2-7X and go straight to a 1-4X20. Now you have real weight and size differences plus 1X is significantly faster for close shots than either 2X or 3X. Not the best option for long range precision shooting, but capable of 300-400 yard shots on big game. On 4X you let exactly the same amount of light through as a 3-9X set on 8X or a 2-7X scope set on 6X. And more light than the others set on 9X or 7X. Is not a handicap in low light at all.

 

[Stubert]

Luepold 2.5 - 8 x 36 good eye relief, larger lenses, lightweight.

 

[Bartojc]

will I am thinking of picking up a savage hog hunter 308, I am also thinking of possible scopes down the road, most uses will be inside 300 yards what would be a good all purpose scope magnification 2x7 or 3x9 ?
would the 2x7 be a better choice for say 50 to 300 yards ?

Either will work for your application. If it were me I'd opt for the 3x9x40, especially out past 200 yards.

Jeff

 

[JO JO]

I was looking and found a sale at cabelas on this normal $299 sale $149 I figured why not for that price
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Burris-Fullfield-E-mm-Riflescope/1519078.uts?slotId=1

Burris Fullfield™ E1 30mm Riflescope 3x9 x 40mm

 

[Slamfire]

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.

 

[JO JO]

I do have higher magnification scopes on other rifles , but wanted to set the hog hunter up as an all purpose rifle " sorta speak " my other rifles with the bigger scopes are heavier with longer barrels ,
but sometimes there are some decent sales that are hard to pass on

 

[stringnut]

I set my scopes usually at 6x for sitting and 3 for walking when the chance for running shots is greater. That being said I have shot running deer at less the 30 feet with the scope set to 6x. I have busted a couple at more than 200 with a 2.5 power Redfield straight tube that was old when I used 30 years ago. The point is that no matter what the power the mission was accomplished. Never have lost game because the scope was the wrong power. Pick the scope you want and buy it.

 

[readyeddy]

2x7 is sometimes smaller in length. Make sure once mounted you have enough eye relief. Mine was so short I didn’t have enough eye relief while wearing my back pack.

Magnification wise, there’s little difference inside 300 yards imo.

 

[eastbank]

my to go deer all weather rifles have 2x7-2.5x8 leupolds on them and have taken game out to 310 yards with them.

 

[cdb1]

I was looking and found a sale at cabelas on this normal $299 sale $149 I figured why not for that price
https://www.cabelas.com/product/Burris-Fullfield-E-mm-Riflescope/1519078.uts?slotId=1

Burris Fullfield™ E1 30mm Riflescope 3x9 x 40mm

That’s a good price. The E1 and standard Fullfield II have the same glass, the difference being the E1 has a fast focus ocular and the turrets are different. The E1 turrets are a little more user friendly but there is nothing wrong with The Fullfield II turrets. For the type and range of shooting you described I don’t like the reticle on the E1 you are considering, I’d rather have a duplex type.

I’m a fan of 2-7 scopes and think one would be great for your purpose. I currently have a 2-7 and a 1.75-6. I also believe the most versatile scope out there is probably the VX-3i 2.5-8x36-until you get into a much higher price range.