RE: 3-9 or 2-7 or 1.5-6 power scope for muzzle loader?
I grew up with the fixed power scopes (4x) because the variables were expensive and suspect. I knew people who would leave them on the highest power and not be able to see the deer when it was running by them at 20 yards. One season I used a 2.5x20mm Leupold. I did shoot a deer out at 80 yards without a problem, but I was not confident with longer shots. I hunt in a much more open area now with almost no woods and have come to appreciate variable scopes. For the past several years I have been using Nikon Pro Staff 2-7x32mm and 3-9x40mm scopes. I usually leave the scope on 4x while hunting. However, when there is a greater than 100 yard shot and there is time to up the magnification, it gives me more confidence in the shot. If I have to pick one over the other, I would go with the lighter and more compact 2-7x32mm.