For me its completely determinant upon caliber, firearm and use.
Overall “deer hunting” its a Leupold 2x7x33 VXII. But long range guns would get more power and some close (er) range guns, have fixed 2 3/4& 3x too.
But a target RF would see a gross overs scoping. IE 4x12 or 6x18 Cheap scope with focus adjust.
Lever actions dont get optics, they get a peep Site.
Close range Varmint rifle will have a red dot cause shots are usually close and quick.
I have begun to change my open site hand guns to red dots as sites are harder to see. Just last saturday, my 10” 218 bee ‘temder barrel got a Ultra dot. Its shooting 2” @ 100 again!!!
CW