I think it's important to match your scope to the type of hunting you plan to do. On my 30-30s I've used 2.5x and 4x fixed and 2x7. All will work well in the brush, but once in a while I will come across an open spot where the 2x7 is useful. (Especially when a nice muly runs across the field in front of me. At that time my mind goes from pan fried whitetail to BBQed muly real quick.) I personnally have never found a need for as high as 9x on one of my 30-30s. Plus I like the more compact Burris or Leupold 2x7s over any 3x9.