If you have binoculars you don't need 12 or even 9X on a hunting rifle. Longest shot I ever made was on a little Texas 8 point at 400 yards with a Leupold 4X M8 scope. I had to use binos to count the points. If you use the riflescope as a spotting scope, the 4-12 could be useful, I now have. 3-9s on my hunting rifles, both are set aqt 6X. When you think about it, a lot of deer have been killed with open sights, at ranges of 100 yards plus. 4X at 400 yards equals a 100 yard sight picture. 4X at 100 yards is like 25 yards with the naked eye. I now think the 2 to 7X might be ideal for a big game scope. 2-7 would be good for close in at 2X and very good at 6 for long range. I still like the Leupold scopes, generally lighter weight and more compact than most others. They are priced very good for what you get.