I am looking for a scope size for a buddy who has a lever gun. I am not much of a scope guy, I put a vortex 2-7x32 on my squirrel gun last year and love it. He's going with a vortex too, and I recommended the same scope I have and he thought a 3x9 might be better. It's a 30-30 deer gun and he hunts in woods that go from not so thick to thick. Thanks, Catch.

If he is looking for a bush gun, I would think he would be better with a lower power. . Personally I would go with a peep sight. old243

That's what I told him, The 2-7x32 I have for squirrel seems to me would do the job. But again, I have zero experience hunting deer with a scope.

3x9 if for no other reason you get a larger objective bell 40--50 mm gathers more light

For a woods or brush gun, most hunters want to be able to use lower magnification for better target acquisition (aka as deer, etc). A 2-7x variable is about the best varisble scope for whitetail hunting.
Since the rifle platform in mind here is a lever action 30-30, the 2-7x is a more logical choice as the 30-30 is pretty much a 150 yd rifle.
A 1.5-5x is another that could work well.
When in the woods, you typically will dil down the magnification to 2x or 3x for a more optimum field of view, especially if your target animal is in heavy cover. If you're at the upper end of magnification, you can lose your target pretty quick.

Why does he feel he needs a scope? Does he need magnification or just easier target acquisition than iron sights? If he needs easier sights, I'd go with a red dot, possibly with 2x magnification. Any more magnification than that and you need a big objective scope. My favorite scope on a squirrel gun was a 2x38.

Cause he's like me k snow, old eyes ain't gettin it done with iron sights lol.

I hear you, Catch22. A lot of guys I shoot muzzleloaders with have the same issue. Fiber optic iron sights are an option for some. My dad put a red dot on his turkey gun and loves it, makes target acquisition very easy.

Stick with the one like you have c22. Terrific scope.

That's what I told him, man I love that thing!

Hologram type red dot if he's not shooting any distance. Lots of choices now days.

Low power, big optics. Maybe even a red dot scope.

Straight six power. If it is for close range why do people think they need a variable .scope.

Kinda the philosophy of better to have it then not I reckon. I know I would rather have a variable.

Balance to everything. On of the things that just looks wrong is a big scope on a little rifle. 1.5 x 5 is plenty for the rifle in question. And if your friend thinks he needs 9 power ask him to talk to some older hunters that used fixed 4 power scopes for decades with great success. Bigger ain't always better. Your 2x7 would be my second choice.

Old Leupold 1X4 can still be found at Bear Basin site. On 1-2 X I can see my barrel in the scope. Just like an open site but much faster and far better in low light.

Solid, thanks cmcf!

1-4X Leupold w/ thick duplex crosshairs.

Or a #4 German recticul the one with a pointed post on the bottom and cross hairs top and sides.
Welcome Catch, wish your friend the best whatever he gets.
By the By that is a dandy squirrel gun you got there.

cmcf, I never knew I could love a gun as much as I do that one. If I do my part, she breaches my imagination!