I'm thinking putting a short yardage stand for bow/pistol/black powder out at my place in East Texas. The brush is like a jungle. Do you think 25 yards or 40 is a good measure? Would also use 30/30 or buckshot/slugs. Thinking of using some old scaffolding about 12-15 feet high

we have bow only stands.

It would depend on if you can see under the brush. More so what will it look like in the fall after leaves are gone or not. I would use the rifle I have the most confidence in shooting and accurate shot with.

Agree with STX. I don't hunt east texas but do hunt some nasty river bottoms up here.

Until leaves fall, pop up seems to work better

I have bow only stands, and I have gun stands. Sure you can hunt either with the weapon of your choice, but the gun stands are situated where you can see over vast areas and the bow stands are set up for limited bow range shots. No need to temp yourself into a possible bad shot by being able to see beyond your comfortable range.

I have bow only as well as dual stand set-ups. Having hunted in the midwest where you can have very similar terrain, I'd vote for elevation over distance. If you're going to set up inside of 30 yards, get higher. Climbing or strap-on stands can be the best way to handle these types of stands.
If you go with the hang-on or climbers, do NOT forget your safety harness! It won't be a matter of IF you fall, but WHEN.

I agree that getting up off the ground above the deers sight and smell is the best way to go if you are able or have trees tall enough.
Having bowhunted for many years before those fancy "pop-ups" were as popular as they are now, we used to hunt from ground blinds made from natural materials where we couldn't get off the ground. The advantage of the pop-ups are almost cheating, because they cover your movement and with shoot through mesh screens the deer never know you are there. They do a better than average job of containing most of your scent, and even sounds that would otherwise be heard unless the animal is super close. That used to be my favorite answer to some elitest bowhunters who scoffed at the idea of folks hunting with crossbows, and I just ask if they ever used a pop-up blind to which the argument quickly sidetracked into another area of their rant. LOL!
Climbers, pop-ups, brush blinds, it really doesn't matter as long as it helps you make an ethical shot on an animal and puts meat in the freezer.

We have several bow/open-site stands. Up close and personal.

We also have a few "stands" with no feeders, blinds, etc. Those are some of my favorite to hunt.

I got two stands for rifle and one for bow or pistol. About to add one more for bow and pistol. The way my feeders are set up, I can stalk up to them too, and that is the most fun of all.