Which optics setup on a non-iron sighted rifle in 7.62x39

[Greatguns]

Just curious on opinions out there. So, here's the scenario;

If you have a rifle chambered in 7.62x39 (can be bolt action, a modified SKS/AK, an AR platform, or a single shot break open) that is optics only, meaning it has no iron sights and none are going to be put on it, which option would you rather have?

Option 1: Variable power scope with the low power range at 1 (IE: 1-5x24 Illuminated) or,
Option 2: higher variable power (IE: 3-9x32 Illuminated) with a rail to house a micro/compact holographic reflex red dot for close up shots. The red dot is included in this option.

Remember, these are your only 2 options...And...this IS for posterity sake so please...be honest.

[teddybear1848]

wouldnt this be entirely subjective on what you plan on using it for?

[Greatguns]

wouldnt this be entirely subjective on what you plan on using it for?

Well, partially yes, maybe. Everything is subjective when you have options and there is not really an absolute '1 way is correct' answer.
3-9x gets you out there further and you have the red dot for up close, but if the battery dies you lose close up capability.
1-5x?? type can be used up close even if battery fails as long as there is enough light, but doesn't reach out as far.
BUT, how far out do you need in a scope for 7.62x39? Thus my little opinion poll

[hoopharted]

you can get a 1MOA red dot good out to 100+ yds , with red dots its all about the MOA of the dot  , a 1 MOA although great at 100 yards because the dot appears to paint 1 inch of the target  , up close it would cover i believe (check the math) about 8 inches  , on the reverse a 3 MOA would have a dot  good for  closer ranges but by the time you take it out to 100 yds its covering a good portion of your target

just curious , what x39 rifle are we talking about that would utilize a 3x power scope?

[Cz315]

Given the range of 7.62x39 I'd opt for 3-9x, which is actually pretty good for most "general" use, in my opinion. I'd use see through rings for iron sights instead of extra dots. 

EDIT: I just saw "non-iron sighted" in the topic title, so never mind the rings.

[Greatguns]

you can get a 1MOA red dot good out to 100+ yds , with red dots its all about the MOA of the dot  , a 1 MOA although great at 100 yards because the dot appears to paint 1 inch of the target  , up close it would cover i believe (check the math) about 8 inches  , on the reverse a 3 MOA would have a dot  good for  closer ranges but by the time you take it out to 100 yds its covering a good portion of your target

just curious , what x39 rifle are we talking about that would utilize a 3x power scope?

Any and all, it is the ballistics of the round that count. For example, I hunt with an SKS and where I have hunted in years past, I can shoot out to 300 + yards, but granted most shots are anywhere from 25 out to 150 yds.
Regardless think on the ballistics and capabilities of the cartridge because, regardless of the type of rifle(Semi, bolt, or Single shot) they are all going to have similar range based on the ballistics. Which takes me back to my question and little opinion poll.

[Bubbazinetti]

A red dot for fast action moving shots otherwise a 1-5x scope is more than plenty for hunting with the 7.62x39. The 3-9x is way overkill imho.

[Greasemonkey]

"If" me.. I'd probably find a decent 4x shotgun or maybe a 3x7 slug scope and throw on it. I'd view it as it ain't gotta be nothing fancy, it's just gotta work for xxx yards. Yeah, I deviated a tad...        Besides.... I don't think I've killed anything with a x39 other than a groundhog, so realistically me scoping one has no benefit. Deer.... Well, I just use old faithfull...a 45-70....

[Greatguns]

"If" me.. I'd probably find a decent 4x shotgun or maybe a 3x7 slug scope and throw on it. I'd view it as it ain't gotta be nothing fancy, it's just gotta work for xxx yards. Yeah, I deviated a tad...        Besides.... I don't think I've killed anything with a x39 other than a groundhog, so realistically me scoping one has no benefit. Deer.... Well, I just use old faithfull...a 45-70....

Killing a deer or hunting is not necessarily the pursuit here, but sticking to the 2 options is. It could also very easily be used for home protection, taking out zombies, or whatever situation that might arise.

But that aside, are you then saying you don't believe having visibility through the optics at the same vision level as your eyesight is important?(IE: 1 power capability)

[Greasemonkey]

"If" me.. I'd probably find a decent 4x shotgun or maybe a 3x7 slug scope and throw on it. I'd view it as it ain't gotta be nothing fancy, it's just gotta work for xxx yards. Yeah, I deviated a tad...        Besides.... I don't think I've killed anything with a x39 other than a groundhog, so realistically me scoping one has no benefit. Deer.... Well, I just use old faithfull...a 45-70....

Killing a deer or hunting is not necessarily the pursuit here, but sticking to the 2 options is. It could also very easily be used for home protection, taking out zombies, or whatever situation that might arise.

But that aside, are you then saying you don't believe having visibility through the optics at the same vision level as your eyesight is important?(IE: 1 power capability)

Me, personally.... not applicable to every Tom, Dick and Harry.... I don't typically do well with scopes at close range i.e. under 100 yds, everything up until the last 10-15 years was open sight/peep sight/aperture target sight, because thats what my Marine Colonial grandfather and Army father beat in my head, if you can't hit it that close with an open sight, a scope probably won't help much. Now, I own hand cannons with scopes...and in a way, I wished at times they were open sight.

To me, "IF" this x39 weapon in question was "my" only choice, and if my only option was to scope it and I had to have it that bad for home protection, taking out zombies, or whatever situation that might arise, stuck in an urban environment, I'd suck it up and put a 1x or a 2x scope on it and figure it out, but use low power more or less simply for the field of view. If I were a rural area where you could go easily beyond a 100yds.... then I'd choose a scope with say 3x7, there is where I see benefit of multiplier for distance, but still get the decent field of view at a lower power.