A 3x9x40 works just fine, if you know how to use it...Remember to keep both eyes open when looking through the scope, have the eye relief adjusted properly and have it mounted as low as possible...When you throw that rifle to your shoulder, you should be looking through the scope with no adjustment of the head or neck...

Buy a .22 and put one on it and get used to shooting squirrels, deer will be a piece of cake...