fishpro, I have owned a number of Vari x III's over the years. However I currently own Vari X III's: 6x20x40 which sits ontop of my varmit rifle and 3.5x10x50mm on my 270 win.

My primary hunting rigs wear Zeiss Conquests. (3x9x40 on 50 cal ml & 3.5x10x44 on my 7mm rem mag)

Common theory but with qualityglass or more to the point lens coatings, their is nothing a 30mm will truly offer in terms of harnessing light for Big Game hunting.If your looking at a decent optic you'll have more than enough light gathering to get er done.