You'll get a better more useful reticle from the SWFA and the open target style turrets that make it much easier to make quick adjustments. I'd go with the 3-9 if stuck on $600, but if you can do just a little more the 3-15 power would be all your rifle ever needs.
The Vortex HS-T 4-16 would be better than the HS model, but another big difference between the line of vortex scopes your looking at compared to the SWFA is the the Vortex is Second Focal Plane (SFP) meaning the reticle markings will vary depending on magnification level. Vortex sets their SFP scopes up for the markings to be exact only at the highest magnification. This is important to understand for holds off on wind or elevation.
Example 1mil = 1mil at 16x on the reticle, but 1mil at 4x = 4mil on the reticle. This is for the hashmarks on the reticle.
On the SWFA the markings on the reticle are the same at all levels of magnification. Mean 1mil marking at 3x is still 1mil when zoomed to 15x and everything in between.
Hope this provided good info and did not confuse you. I started with a SWFA 10x42 SS. I originally got the MOA adjustments with the Mil Dot reticle. This confused me and I couldn't easily determine my hold offs and always had to dial the adjustment. I traded it in for a SWFA SS 12x42 mil/mil with the Mil-Quad reticle and having the same markings on the Reticle as the turrets made a huge difference in the level of accuracy at range I could accomplish. You'll want the variable power scope if using for hunting as well because you'll need that low magnification. It is also my recommendation to get a FFP scope to remove that one extra item you have to think about while learning the skills of long range shooting.
If you keep up with it you'll end up like me building a new rifle and topping it with the high glass like the Razor HD. The game is addicting!
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