So it looks like if sticking to good quality ~12x glass with 1" tube and fixed parallax, then it's probably limited to the Meopta, Swaro or Leupold VX3i options. I might have a yarn to him about updating to 30mm rings - its for a Voere Titan II which is not the most common rifle in the world but I believe it takes the same mounts as a small ring mauser, so there should be some options out there. Plenty for him to think about anyway.
The high mag thing just seems to be his preference - I haven't noticed him having any trouble smacking over deer with the 3-9x. He's not being talked into the need for more magnification either - of the 3 of us who normally hunt together he's already got the biggest scope (vs my 2.5-8x36 and a 1.5-6x42). But if he wants to upgrade from a VX1 for his main hunting rifle I can understand that, and if he prefers to shoot with high magnification so be it - he'll be the one paying for it and carrying it.
Thanks for all the suggestions and info.
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