Buying a scope for your Deer gun

     Buying a scope can be more than you initially bargained for.    That purchase can range anywhere from $49.99 to $2599.99.   Many of us spend hours of preparation building green fields, scouting and checking game cameras, as well as sitting in a stand.   All that comes down to a few brief moments.  A good scope will make sure job easier as well help you make clean and ethical kills
     What magnification do I need?   In the "OLD DAYS" most all the scope where fixed power and came in either 4 or 6 power.  As a gunsmith, its been a long time since I saw fix power scope on anything other than a 22.  The most common configuration is a 3x9 power scope.  This is a good all around set up that lets you make those close shots that are so common as well as reach out and touch that buck of lifetime when he is standing at 200 yards.   Consider your gun and caliber however.  If you have a light gun in a short range caliber then a 2x8 or lower power set up may work better and not give the gun added weight.  If you are doing more long range shooting then moving up to 4x16, 3x12, or even a 6x20 may be more of your taste.
     What objective size do I need?   The most common is 40 mm objective lense.  This picks up real good light and doesn't add allot of weight to the gun.   My favorite is the 50mm objective.  They became vogue in the late 90's and have stuck on the market.  They pick up a little more light and think we all think bigger is better.   I haven't had much experience with anything less than a 40 mm on a deer rifle.  I have used some smaller objective on pistol scopes and honestly ran into the issue of seeing deer in low light conditions.
     One inch tube verse 30mm tube?  The one inch tube will pick up enough light for anyone who anticipates shooting a deer in legal shooting hours.   The 30mm tube is less common and usually available on the higher price point models.  The 30 mm tube offers a wider range of magnification like 6x24 or 3x12.  The 30mm picks up more light and that's the honest truth.  For the guy doing long range or target shooter the 30 mm tube also offers a greater range of adjustment.  (This would be if you had your rifle set in at 100 yards and wanted to adjust it out to 1000 yards).  Most anything with the words tactical are 30mm tubes or greater.  The inch tube is allot lighter.   The inch tube is more common and still does a great job at usually a lower price. The bases and mounts are more common for 1 inch tubes.
     Reticles.  The fine duplex is the most common.  A scope reticle can increase the price of the scope.  The new big thing on the market is a BDC style reticle with multiple posts for bullet drop.  Some scopes are made specifically for the gun and the bullet and are surprisingly accurate. The options are countless and then you can even get them to light up.   If you get an adjustable post reticle please be sure to practice and see if it works with your gun.   Also check your local laws and make sure that you can use a lighted reticle.
     Parallax adjustment and target turrets?  Both of these options come with the higher price point scopes and will also increase the price of a scope.  Parallax adjustment is  a nice feature to have when varmint or target shooting.   It isn't something you need to make a priority though in a deer rifle.  This adjustment  is nice and will help with accuracy.  Parallax adjustment has slowly moved from the bell of the scope now to side of the scope.  The target turrets or high knobs are good if you plan on target shooting.  You also see guys using them out west with the long range hunting.  They get in my way on most of my big scopes and I just don't usually have time to click the knob to adjust from 300 to 400 when I see a shooter buck. 
     How much money HONEY?  I personally would answer by saying how much can you afford?   Many gun experts say you should spent for the scope what you have in the gun.    Do I have a 1000 scope?  Yes and have worked with a few $2500 scopes as well.   Have I used a $60 scope?  Yes.  You be the judge.  You do get what you pay for.  The scopes I have on my personal rifles are Leupold, Zeiss, and Burris.  If your on a budget and get by with $250 then a Nikon Pro Staff is a good option.  Move up 300 to 400 and a Leupold or Zeiss are hard to beat.   Go to a big sports shop and many have scopes that you can look through, touch, and see options.  My last word is that some of the El Cheapos can't handle the recoil of the big guns but you may have know of an exception to that.
     What scope would I recommend?  I think I have muddied the waters enough for you.  I think a 3x9x40 is a great all around scope and it would be hard for me not to recommend that.  That being said I love a 3x9x50 and as I do more target shooting I do like something with higher end magnification.  Remember Crooked Pine Gun Work at www.crookedpinegunworks.com .  We will help you mount and sight in your scope.  Good luck with purchase and don't forget to practice.