The 4 Best 3-9x40 Scopes on the Market: Ultimate Buyer's Guide (2024)

A 3-9×40 scope is must-have gear for any hunter. Having a wide power magnification range is ideal for hunting, which requires different levels of magnification depending on the distance of the shot.

A 3-9×40 scope not only provides a hunter with all he needs for hunting, but the sleek design of these scopes makes rifles seem fantastic.

There are several 30-9×40 scopes available on the market, but the ones on this listare our favorites. Later, we’ll reveal which 3-9×40 scope we believe is the finest for every hunter. You’re in the right place if you’re seeking a rifle scope that matches your demands without breaking your budget.

Factors to Consider in Buying a Scope

Magnification

Magnification refers to the range across which the naked eye’s vision may be amplified. While a bigger lens diameter provides a wider field of view, it also increases the scope’s overall size and weight.

Eye Relief

In a nutshell, eye relief is the distance at which your eye may comfortably rest while still viewing the scope’s complete picture. You can prevent less eye injury due to recoil if you keep enough distance in mind.

Reticle Type

Magnification scopes focus on accuracy at all magnification levels. And they typically have unique reticles. Options range from proprietary standard crosshairs to mil-dot reticles designed explicitly for the maker.

Durability

Waterproof or fog-proof scopes are perfect for hunters who must hunt in inclement weather or in wet situations. You can look for scopes with lenses coated with magnesium fluoride that reduces light loss and glare. The materials used in manufacturing the scope must be taken into account before purchasing.

Weight

You need to think carefully about where you’ll be shooting the most. For those times when you must elevate your rifle to strike your target, a lightweight scope is essential. Aside from that, using the rifle for an extended period might lead to muscular soreness. So, consider how much additional weight you want to have on your weapon.

Comfort

Having a scope that is both functional and easy to use is absolutely essential. Generally, most scopes enable users to adjust parallax, elevation, and windage, and how easily these changes are affected impacts how simple it is to use when hunting. Hunting is made more accessible with this function, which is an essential consideration.

The 4 Best 3-9×40 Scopes

Redfield Revolution 3-9x40mm Scope

Materials– The Redfield Revolution 3-9×40 Scope is a sleek, all-black rifle scope made in Oregon. It weighs only about 12.5 ounces, and it’s 14 inches long. Also, this scope is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.

The illuminated, 40mm lens is multicoated with layers of vapor-deposition coatings for superior light transmission.

At maximum magnification, theAccu-Range reticleon this 3-9×40 scope can hold points up to 500 yards.

You can find the Accu-Trac adjustment mechanism ontop of the scope,and you can manipulate itwith your fingers. The Rapid Target Acquisition eyepiece is included in this scope, which helps you swiftly aim for those once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunities.

Performance – The first impression we get from the Redfield Revolution 3-9×40 Scope is the high-quality look from the Scope’s body. The only additional features on this Scope are the Accu-Trac adjustment knobs, which keep it looking simplistic and beautiful.

Theilluminated reticle is really high-tech, and you can expect that not a drop of moisture will ruin your view. We love how functional this Scope is at maximum magnification. It’s lightweight, and you can expect decent eye relief while hunting.

What we say – The Redfield Revolution 3-9×40 scope is really one-of-a-kind for its cost. It can be found online for a little under $200, which may be at the top of the budget for cost-conscious buyers, but it’s the best 3-9×40 scope you can get at that price level.

There’s very little to complain about this Scope, so any negative feelings may pertain to a specific buyer’s preferences. If you need a simple rifle scope that you know you’ll need to use in high magnification, the Redfield Revolution will be the best 3-9×40 scope for you.

Bushnell Banner Illuminated Reticle 3-9×40 Scope

Materials – The Bushnell Banner Illuminated Reticle 3-9×40 Scope is another scope that sports an all-black sleek design. It features a multicoated, illuminated 40 mm objective lens, and it’s fog proof and waterproof. There’s also an adjustment mechanism to switch the reticle from red to green illumination.

There are also multiple brightness levels, which allows you to use the Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Scope in low light situations, like at dawn and dusk. This scope is only 12 inches long, and it gives an eye relief of up to 4 inches. It’s also very lightweight, coming in at about 13 ounces.

Performance – For a significantly cheaper price than the Redfield Revolution, the Bushnell Banner Illuminated Reticle 3-9×40 Scope gives a similar sleek look and offers high-end qualities. The most admirable feature of this scope is the brightness adjustments. Not only do the different reticle illuminations offer the opportunity for better light transmission, but the different light settings give any hunter the chance to take advantage of the best hunting hours: early morning and dusk.

The compact look of the Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Scope allows for minimal interference while hunting. We will say we wish we didn’t have to make so many adjustments after shooting.

What we say – For just over $150, the Bushnell Banner Illuminated Reticle Scope is very good for the money. Having to make readjustments while hunting may be a pain, but the other qualities we’re getting for the money make the scope an excellent choice. This is the best 3-9×40 scope money can buy for the brightness levels and ability to hunt in low-light situations. It’s perfect for light-caliber rifles.

Barska Colorado 3-9x 40mm Riflescope 30/30 Reticle

Materials – The Barska Colorado 3-9×40 mm Scope is a single, 1-inch tube that comes in matte black. The features are simple, but they get the job done. The objective lens is fully coated for a clear view, and it has a 30/30 reticle.

Additionally, the scope is just under 13 inches long, and only 13 ounces heavy. It also has two simple adjustment knobs for focusing the sight. Barska offers a limited lifetime warranty with their Colorado 3-9x 40 mm scope. This scope may seem very basic, but it’s the price that gets everyone in the end – we’ll get to that later.

Performance – Ultimately, we were fairly impressed with the Barska Colorado Scope, and this is a great 3-9x40mm review for what would, at first glance, appear to be a dud. The features are simple, and it’s meant to just get the job done without any fancy extras. The lightweight scope is perfect for hunting rifles that are used for deer and small game. It’s also great for beginner hunters.

Unfortunately, we wouldn’t suggest using the Barska Colorado 3-9x40mm Scope at maximum magnification. It’s pretty difficult to focus, especially quickly. We also wouldn’t suggest using it in low-light situations. However, in the daytime, this reticle is quite clear at a reasonable power.

What we say – There’s definitely some give and take with the Barska Colorado Scope. It’s not intended by any means for all hunting situations or extreme weather conditions. It’s not made of the highest quality materials, and don’t expect to use it with slugs and high-caliber rifles.

If you’re a first-time hunter, or you’re teaching your kid to hunt, this is an amazing starter 3-9x scope that will do everything you need it to while you’re learning your capabilities as a shooter. This is, by far, the best 3-9x40mm scope for this price.

Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40mm Scope

Materials – The Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9x40mm Scope is a single, mostly black tube that’s about 12 inches long and weighs 4 ounces. The fully multicoated objective lens is shock, water, and fog proof from a dry nitrogen-filled tube, and it has a Multi-X reticle. Bushnell boasts a 91% light transmission with this 3-9×40 scope.

The eyepiece is fast-focus, which is great for moments requiring quick reaction time. There are windage and elevation adjustment turrets, which have a 1/4 inch click value. This scope comes with a limited lifetime warranty, as well as a flip-open lens cover, which is just a nice little additional feature.

Performance – Altogether, the Bushnell Trophy XLT 3-9×40 Scope is a valuable piece to purchase for your hunting rifle. It comes with all the standard features: lightweight, moisture and shockproof, and 1/4 inch click value adjustment knobs, but it performs much better than many other scopes for a similar cost. Most impressive is the 91% light transmission feature, which is fantastic for hunting at almost any time of day.

We also appreciate the fast-focus eyepiece, which is great for when that deer you spot starts to make a run for it. However, we do wish the scope had less color on it and stuck to an all-black look for concealment, but it’s not a deal-breaker. Also, more eye relief is desirable, but there’s still enough to not make us complain too much.

What we say – At $100, the Bushnell Trophy XLT Scope is as perfect for the money as a scope can get. If you’re taking a step up from beginner hunting, this is a great investment piece that should last you throughout your hunting needs.

As your hunting skills elevate, the Bushnell Trophy XLT Scope will adjust with you for quick shooting and some harsher weather conditions.

Nikon ProStaff 3-9x 40mm Scope

Materials – The Nikon 3-9×40 scopes are made of rigid metal and nitrogen-filled and sealed O-ring. This scope is also weatherproof and durable. The model has a magnification range of 3 to 9x, giving you a definite idea of the actual size of the targeted object, one of the features we look for in a scope. Another advantage is that the scope weighs 13.7 oz and is 12.3 inches long, and it is also easy to install and use.

Performance – Another advantage of the Nikon scope in terms of performance is its optical system, which is fully multi-coated. Its light transmission is increased by up to 98 percent, ensuring that you receive the maximum brightness available day or night. The Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40mm comes with one of the best hunting reticles available: a BDC or bullet drop compensator reticle.

What we say – The ProStaff is ideal for people looking for great scope on hunting trips. This scope will also allow you to hit relatively distant shots. A 40 mm objective lens can magnify between 3x and 9x, providing a range of zoom levels that most hunters will appreciate. The Nikon Prostaff is a solid, trustworthy, and dependable optic. The price is just the icing on the cake, making it a good investment.

Our Favorite 3-9x40mm Scope

In this 3 9×40 scope review, we can easily say that the Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40mm Scope is the best choice for just about any hunter. The Nikon Prostaff is a step up from an average or basic rifle scope, and the brand ensures a clear sight and fast focusing while hunting. It’s multi-coated, made of rigid metal, and gives the actual size of the target. Its features are ideal, the cost is right in the middle of a cost-conscious buyer’s budget, and it’s worth every penny.

If you have moderate hunting needs, both newcomers and professionals should feel comfortable purchasing this great piece of gear made by the well-trusted brand Nikon.

But if you are on a budget, we recommend the Barska Colorado 3-9x40mm Riflescope 30/30 Reticle. It doesn’t have fancy features but it gets the job done and has the qualities most hunters look for in an efficient scope.

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