Many rifles that I buy have 3x-9x scopes on them and I sell those scopes cheap at gun shows.
I wish I knew when/where your shows are!!
The reason I prefer light weight rifles is that it allows room for a somewhat LARGER scope and still maintain reasonable weight overall.
I'd take a 2x - 7x over a 3x - 9x on almost any application unless I knew I'd be shooting at long distances or small targets in particular prairie dogs come to mind. If I needed 9x to hit a deer, I think I'd need to learn some hunting stalking skills.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
