Scope for Marlin 336 30-30 Win.?

[leveraction]

I'm getting one of these rifles next week (my first levergun) and I'd like to put a nice scope on it... something of moderate power, not too expensive but certainly no Chinese junk. What do you guys suggest?

I'll probably frequent the levergun forum quite a bit because I love lever action rifles... I just don't have any yet. This will probably be the first of many. :-)

[izzyjoe]

i like to find old weaver k4's, they are just about right for a marlin. but you could get a bsa 3x9x32 if you don't want to spend alot.

[btroj]

Lower power is better. Better in low light, especially in lower priced scopes, and high magnification makes it hard to find targets up close.
Just don't do one of those ugly scout scopes. Please.

[flounderman]

I can find you a ted williams that is made by weaver and is a k-4 with the sears brand, for 50.00. scope is really nice. I have some other k-4s, and a weaver challenger, 4 x. 50 for any of them.

[leveraction]

OK thanks guys

[GabbyM]

I've a new Weaver 1 x 3X. on an AR. Love the 1X setting for both eyes open shooting on a running target. 3X is plenty of magnafication on a 30-30 IMHO. As stated the old K-4's are nice. I've been running one of the old steel tube made in USA K'4's for over thirty years on a 270 Win.

You might want to take a look at what the New Redfields offer.

[Larry Gibson]

Concur with GabbyM; that 1x3X Weaver is a good choice. I currently have a Weaver 2.5X on my M94 AE and find it excellent also. I had a K4 Weaver on it but found it a little too much power for the close quick stuff.

Larry Gibson

[arcticbreeze]

I have 4 Marlin levers 3 of them have fixed 4x Nikon Buckmasters and 1 with a Burris Fast Fire. For me he fixed 4x is perfect. I have shot a pig at 15 yds that ran out in front of me with very little time to react but can also put up respectable groups on the range at 100 yds. Some dont like them but the large 4omm lets in alot of light.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=225&pictureid=1429

[Bret4207]

I prefer something that goes down to 1.5-2.5x either fixed or variable. One of my nicest scopes is a Weaver K-1.5. It sits on a 35 Whelen '03 and I can hit nicely out to 250 yards.

[Snapping Twig]

Many like a 2x7 for such a rifle/caliber combo.

You can keep it on 2x for most stuff, two eye fast aquisition for accurate shooting and increase magnification according to need. 7x is good for long range.

I have a Leupold VX II 2x7 on my 1894 .44 and it is real handy.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a51/SnappingTwig1/P6260007.jpg

[silverbuzzard]

2x7 is super . I hunted montana for 5 years with one on an 06 and never knew i was under-scoped! Longest shot was a mulie @ 325 yrds. Up close in the black timber, you can swing shoot deer too

[ghh3rd]

You may want to check out the new Redfield scopes here http://www.redfield.com/riflescopes/
Leupold took over the brand name, and is making them in their factory in Oregon. They have the same lifetime warranty as Leupold too.

I have their 2-7x33 on the way; list price $129.

[JIMinPHX]

I'm going to go against the grain here. I'd stick with open buckhorn iron sights. Those Marlins are generally minute of Bambi accurate, but seldom run with the bench rest crowd. None of the lever guns ever seem to be 1-hole shooters. Also, a 30-30 is not something that I'm going to take 400 yard shots with. The best attribute of those rifles is their quick handling. I can pop beer cans off a fence post with one of them all day long, but hitting a golf ball gets pretty tough, with or without a scope. It's just not a gun that I'd want to put a scope on. I'd keep it quick pointing & easy to handle. I like those rifles in their purest form.

If you must have a scope, then I'd go looking for one of those $50 ish Bushnell jobs. Since you seem to have a case of scope fever, you will probably want it to be a 3x9.

I'd leave it alone though. Try shooting it first. Then decide if you want to scope it or not.

[Heavy lead]

Well if you have to scope, I'd get the Redfield 2x7 if money is an issue, if it is not, I'd only go slightly more with a Leupold 2x7 VXI shotgun scope, it has a heavy reticle that you can pick out easy and almost 5" of eye relief. My preferrence for any lever though is a Lyman or Williams receiver sight and a ivory bead front sight of appropriate height.

[Mallard57]

I've considerded the Weaver V3 for my Marlin, good price and reviews.
Jeff

[kingstrider]

You might want to try the factory irons first and see what that does for you. I've never been a huge fan of the factory irons on most Marlins but really like using peep sights such as those offered by Skinner. These are a great compromise between factory irons and a scope and what my primary deer gun wears. If you must have a scope, I'd have a hard look at some of the low-power variables. I have a couple of the Weaver V3s and they are just about ideal for the 30/30. Not quite as good on heavier kicking guns as the eye relief is a little short for my liking. Leupold and Nikon also make superb low-power variable scopes, the Monarch 1.5-4.5 is probably my favorite. Whatever you do, please don't put a huge piece of glass and see through rings on top. Nothing says "bubba" more than that combination on a lever gun.

[C A Plater]

I'm normally a peep sight man for lever guns but aging eyes make decent accuracy at 100 yards very difficult to do. The fire light front sight obliterated the target stand at range and there was no way I could manage minute of venison to want to hunt with. I went with the Weaver V3 to help out because it was on sale this month at Midway for around $150. I'm loving the 1x view as it seems quicker on the target than irons and the 3x does great at 100 yards. I've also used the Burris 4x Timberline and found it sweet.

[Ranch Dog]

I've got quite a lineup of Marlins, everything but one chambered in 38-55 Win. I also do a heck of a lot of hunting and I wanted the same low powered scope on every rifle I shoot so no matter what I pickup as I walk out the door into the pasture, the sight picture and feel is always the same. I've been shooting the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 for a decade now, on 31 rifles, and they have never disappointed me. Here is a lineup of my 1894s. No matter which I pick up it handles the same.

http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/Firearms/Images/1894s/1894_01.JPG

[fatnhappy]

I prefer something that goes down to 1.5-2.5x either fixed or variable. One of my nicest scopes is a Weaver K-1.5. It sits on a 35 Whelen '03 and I can hit nicely out to 250 yards.



I'm kind of in Bret's camp here. I have a leupold 1-4X on a marlin .30-30 and can't recall ever turning it up to 4X while hunting. It's very light and trim, which I think is required on a rifle that's main hunting virtue is "handiness."

[arcticbreeze]

I've got quite a lineup of Marlins, everything but one chambered in 38-55 Win. I also do a heck of a lot of hunting and I wanted the same low powered scope on every rifle I shoot so no matter what I pickup as I walk out the door into the pasture, the sight picture and feel is always the same. I've been shooting the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 for a decade now, on 31 rifles, and they have never disappointed me. Here is a lineup of my 1894s. No matter which I pick up it handles the same.

http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/Firearms/Images/1894s/1894_01.JPG

Ahhh,... My kind of porn..:bigsmyl2:

[crabo]

My wife calls this forum "bullet porn"

[WyrTwister]

I'm getting one of these rifles next week (my first levergun) and I'd like to put a nice scope on it... something of moderate power, not too expensive but certainly no Chinese junk. What do you guys suggest?

I'll probably frequent the levergun forum quite a bit because I love lever action rifles... I just don't have any yet. This will probably be the first of many. :-)


The best Leopold you can afford . If you are on a budget , I read the Redfields are now made by Leopold and are pretty good for the $$$ .

How much magnification depends a lot on range , 50 , 100 , 150 yards ?

Traditionally , the 3 x 9 scopes have been the most scope for the buck . Due to the volume of production , I suspect ?

God bless
Wyr

[chj3]

I've used the older Weaver 1.5-4.5x, Leupold 2-7x, Weaver K2.5, K4, Redfield 2.75, etc. and agree with those who recommend a low powered variable, as a 2-7x. the Leupold 2.5-8x is my favorite "working" scope.

The Bushnell 3200 series, 2-7x as an example, for a serious hunting rifle. Have some of the older Weavers, but not sure if I would trust them in really nasty weather any more.

Check SWFA http://swfa.com/Riflescopes-C1443.aspx for ideas.

Alternatively, a red dot is great for a rifle that may be used by people who haven't been around a scope -- had on on a Marlin .357 and everyone (non-shooters) loved it.

[C A Plater]

Weaver V3 on my Marlin.

http://tcbunch.com/kiosk/DSCF0546.JPG

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I would consider saving my $ just a bit and getting a Leupold M8 2x. Very good optics and FAST to put on a corn cruncher.
Next in line would be the weaver K3.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got a 1x3 weaver and its a good little scope. I am a big leupold fan but if if i was going to scope a cast bullet gun id step up to a 1x4 vx2. the vx1 and rifleman have friction ajustments. there good scopes but better if sighted in and left alone. A cast gun will probably be used with many differnt bullets and loads and id want click ajustments to make resighting easier.

[jh45gun]

I have an older Weaver 1.5x4.5 on my Model 95 and it is a great scope for a lever gun and not too big in size either which is what I like on a lever gun.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Leupold! I have a heap of them. I only bought the first one many years ago because I had a Tikka 12Ga/308 combo rifle and I wanted something that would handle the 12Ga recoil. I was advised to get a 2-7 Vari X11 (these had a much smaller objective in the mid 80s when I bought this one). I soon realised what an excellent scope they were.

Worth saving up for. The advantage of buying a Leupold is that that scope will last forever. It is also a brand you can buy used with confidence, because you can send it back if it gives you trouble.

If you can't run to that, the Redfields would be the go I suppose.

Low power Weavers are also a good used buy. I have several and they work well. Beware of the old variable Weavers as they have plastic internals and are not serviceable. I bought one which was so afflicted once and I was instructed to pick a power and zero it and leave it on that. It worked fine and got me a scope when I couldn't afford anything else.

As the guys said here, try the sights first, you might like it that way.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I have been a fan of the 1x3 power scopes or just straight 3x for a very long time... Since 1966 when my 32 Win Special Marlin started fox hunting. But I hunt where a 100 yard shot is uncommon... If I had open feild shots I would mount a 3-9 .
But you just have to figure where are you gonna hunt... too much power is no help. Too little power may help you learn to get closer and take up serious bow hunting.

[pipehand]

I notice all the pictures of the scoped Marlins have the occular bell over the hammer, necessitating the use of the hammer extension. Never did like that on the levers. I've set up a Guide gun, and recently a 336 with the XS Lever rail and their excellent ghost ring sights, which I am using far more often than using the rail to mount a scope, dot sight, scout scope or Eotech. When I do mount a scope, it is a Simmons 4x32 Shotgun scope with theit "pro-diamond" reticle. This scope must have been intended for the cantilevered bases available on barrels for 870's etc, because the eye relief allows it to be mounted in low Leupold qrw rings AHEAD of the rear ghost ring. The best of all things- no chance of "scope eye," a very low scope that fits the drop on the stock and gives a consistent cheek weld, and full access to the hammer without using an extension. I tried the scout scope concept with a 1x pistol scope, and while it was useable, a lot of light bounced off the rear lens in certain conditions. I think Simmons makes a similar scope in 2x as well. Check out the eye relief specs on some of the shotgun scopes and compare them with the rifle scopes. It may give you some more mounting options. BTW the shotgun scopes are usually set "parralax free" at something like 75 yards vs. 100 for rifle scopes. Hope this was of help.

[Doc Highwall]

pipehand, do you have a picture of your rifle with the scope and rear sight?

[pipehand]

Doc, I just mounted the scope on the 336 for the pic, Hope it conveys the idea. Never posted a pic before. The spacing and placement of the slots on the 1895 lever rail and the one for the 336 differ slightly, so I can't just swap back and forth between the two without changeing ring spacing.

[pipehand]

Yea! The pic thing worked. Gonna haveta do some more of that in the future.