I`m a Leupold fan period. That said, 3 x 9 is probably the best all round scope there is. It will give you a good point of aim to the max. effective range of your .243 and when set on 3X you will have a large enough field of view for close running targets. I would recommend a duplex cross hair. Dots are great if you have good lite, but morning and evening in the shade you`ll loose the dot. Lited cross hairs never seemed to help me. Just my opinion, but got my first scope in the early 1960`s, and have over 30 around here now. Fixed from 2X to 36 X and variables form 1 1/2 to 4X to 8.5 x 25X.