I have leupold 2x7. 3x9 and 1.5x5 scopes right now on my hunting rifles. I just got back from a Wyoming antelope hunt where I took the longest shots at the smallest big game animals that I am likely to ever hunt. I had a 3x9 for that hunt and never felt that I needed more magnification at all. My longest shot was 413 yds (lasered) and I had no problem lining up and studying game. Having said this, this hunt did convince me that I need to replace my VARIX II 3x9x40. I find that i am less and less impressed with the optics of this scope. The Leupolds have served me well for many years with no failures at all but I think I will be upgrading that 3x9 to a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 next season. I really see no reason to go beyond 10x on a big game scope, in fact I see many negatives in not being able to zoom down for close and moving game. Funny how people always equate high power with quality. When I told the guy I was huntingwith that I neede to upgrade my glass he assumed I was going to jump up tp a 4.5x14 or something like that. Its what he has and he missed 3 antelope on that trip. I think most people use to much power.