Well, for hunting I have 2.75x Leupold on my Scout rifle and a 4x Leupold on my Model 70. Both are easy to maintain and still provide a good view for the woods. Also, I have not found an extended eye relief scope for a scout rifle, and the 4x came with the rifle. Rifle magazine, the last issue, had an article on hunting scopes. A 4x will do nicely out to 400 yards or so, if I read the article correctly. My favorite choice is a varible power, several advantages are better light gathering and a wider field of view at the lower powers. Fixed, if you are shooting at a set distance, is fine. Good care will add life to the scope. Most of all, it is what you are comfortable with. A Mk.IV would be nice, but a 4.5x14 works just as well.