well to me it makes sense to consider what would be best for hunting, I consider a 3X9 and a 4X12 as more target than hunting I want a scope that will give me an advantage by making things brighter when I have to take a shot in low light. If you go to the trouble to check the lum. # on different scopes you will find that the bigger the front lens is in ratio to the power the brighter it will be.
SO I use a 1.5X4X32 or a 2X7X40 usually a Bushnell or Swift it works quite well for me, and I will still shoot groups with anybody. Lee