Variable-Power Rifle Scope
Also called: zoom scope, 3-9x40, 4-12x40
A rifle scope with a zoom ring. You can use low power in cover and turn it up for longer shots.
- Type
- Scopes
- Reading the name
- 3-9x40 means 3 to 9 power with a 40 mm front lens
- Common ranges
- 1-4x, 2-7x, 3-9x, 4-12x
- Tube size
- 1 inch or 30 mm are common
- Used for
- Hunting, Target shooting
What it is good for
- Hunting in mixed terrain from brush to open fields.
- General-purpose hunting rifles.
- Target shooting at different distances.
Where it falls short
- More moving parts than a fixed scope.
- The field of view narrows as you zoom in.
- Heavier than a fixed-power scope of the same quality.
Tips
- Keep it on a lower power for hunting, and zoom in only when you have time for the shot.
- Match the scope to the rifle's range and your skill.
Works well with
- Scope Rings and Mounts: must fit your rifle and the scope tube.
- Parallax: check it when you zoom in.
- Eye Relief: affects how safe and comfortable the scope is.
Field notes
The first number set is the power range and the last is the front lens size in millimeters. A bigger front lens gathers more light but sits higher over the barrel.
Related guides
Specs here are typical, not guarantees; models differ, so check the maker's published numbers. Never look at the Sun through any optic without a certified solar filter, and zero or mount a scope with the firearm unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. Rules on optics, such as scopes on certain hunts or lasers and electronics, differ by state; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Want a buying guide? Read Choosing Hunting Optics.