Following the threads on 4x32 and 4x40, is the 3-9x40, or nearabouts, the best all-around sub-12 scope?

On 3x it does rats. Well.

On 9x, it does anything out to 35+ metres.

Not too big, high, or heavy. Just right. Remember that in the early 80s it was considered brilliant for FT (as was Tasco 2-7x32) and almost overkill for vermin on springers.

My own preferences: older Leupold Vari-X2 and (not quite 3-9), 3.5-10x40 Vari-X3. And plenty of older Japanese stuff.