Marlin 336 scoped with Leupold FXII....Love this gun! see pics......

[skipbo32]

here is my Marlin 336 30-30 with a Leupold FXII 20MM. knowing i wanted to put this specific scope on my Marlin, i asked around on the forum and was advised to get a Leupold mount with low aluminum Leupold rings. i absolutely love this set up. it is just so simple and i enjoy how low i was able to mount the scope. i had second thoughts on scoping my lever action, but with the Marlin, it just feels right. this will be my "truck gun" that will ride shotgun with me as im driving the Texas hillcountry.

 

[oerllikon]

Looks like a very nice, useful scope. I love the 336s, I may look into that scope a little bit since Im not a huge fan of the glass on mine right now

 

[Smaug]

Looks like a great set-up. More compact than my Pentax 4x33 on my 1894.

The only problem is that you'll probably need to cap it for truck gun use so you don't scratch up the lenses.


"Well begun is half done."
-Aristotle

 

[skipbo32]

the scope has at least 5" of eye relief so you can mount it completely in front of the hammer if you want. i got the one with the wide duplex reticle. and for a 30-30 all you need is the 2.5x magnification. i swear, i cant remember my gun being any lighter in weight with out the set up. and since the objective lens is only 20mm, it clears the rear sight, even when mounted this low. i love the low mount set up because i use the same cheek weld i would if i were using irons. it has a very fast point-and-aim.

 

[Asherdan]

Very, very nice to my eyes. I'm glad you're happy with it.

...because i use the same cheek weld i would if i were using irons. it has a very fast point-and-aim.

That is exactly why, when you mentioned the scope you had chosen, I suggested the mount/rings I did. I futzed around with a 4x32mm scope initially on my Marlins but didn't like the feel of the rifles near as much as when I got a 1-3x20 or 2.5x20 down low and tight. People speculate about the 20mm objective not gathering enough light in the twilight hours, but with good glass (like that Leupy) and an 8mm exit pupil it's never given me an issue.

 

[helotaxi]

The normal eye cannot make use of an exit pupil larger than right around 5mm. Any more than that is wasted. Optical clarity beats large objective every time.

 

[skipbo32]

The only problem is that you'll probably need to cap it for truck gun use so you don't scratch up the lenses.

should i put scope caps on this thing. i dont really like the look of them, but Leupold makes some nice metal thread caps.

 

[Kendal Black]

Great setup! I think a good .30-30 is still one of the most useful light rifles to be had, even though the concept is from the century before last.

So far as scopes on lever guns, I don't share the purists' view on that. I figure if the folks way back when had had today's optics they surely would have used them. So, I see no problem in using them today. You're not defying tradition, you're extending the tradition into a new era.

 

[skipbo32]

also....i need to put a 1" leather sling on this thing. any recommendations? something simple.

 

[Flynt]

Is that marketed by Leupold as a pistol scope?

 

[skipbo32]

I figure if the folks way back when had had today's optics they surely would have used them. So, I see no problem in using them today. You're not defying tradition, you're extending the tradition into a new era.

i like that. there is something about a lever gun. they are slim and compact. i cant wedge a bolt gun between my seat and console the same way.

 

[skipbo32]

Is that marketed by Leupold as a pistol scope?

no, it is not. i made sure of that. this is a rifle scope with about 5" of eye relief. it is the FX-II 2.5x 20mm with the wide duplex reticle. not sure why some people pick "wide" and some dont. i'd image the "wide" is not a faster aim but more precise when shooting (i.e. more visibility)

 

[helotaxi]

I usually don't base a rifle purchase on "tradition" but rather utility. If its utility is enhanced by an optic of some sort, it gets one.

 

[Kendal Black]

... there is something about a lever gun. they are slim and compact. i cant wedge a bolt gun between my seat and console the same way.

Back when Marlin was selling its first .30-30's, folks didn't have the seat and console, either.

The lever gun is fast handling and convenient, still a masterpiece of practical ergonomics, and all of that was worked out in the 19th century. It's sort of amazing, but for many uses it's as good, at least, as anything invented since.

 

[Furncliff]

I've been fighting the iron sight battle with my Marlin 1894c. I've got a skinner peep on it now, but my eyes just have a tough time. Thanks for posting OP I think I'll look into this scope for myself.

 

[skipbo32]

I've been fighting the iron sight battle with my Marlin 1894c. I've got a skinner peep on it now, but my eyes just have a tough time. Thanks for posting OP I think I'll look into this scope for myself.

believe me....im really NOT a fan of scopes on lever guns.......until now, that is! i would not scope a lever gun any other way. this set up just makes perfect sense to me. and Marlins are very scope friendly. i have an extended notch on my hammer that allows me to cock the gun under the scope, but even if you dont have that, this scope has enough eye relief to be pushed up further (as ive said).

this gun is just a light, fast and balanced as it ever was and now it has 2.5x on it. you can shoot with both eyes open with this scope! very fast aiming ability!

now a Winchester? forget it. that thing aint ever gettin' scoped. the top ejection is a nightmare for anyone planning to do so.

 

[Aren't we all]

Wouldn't it be riding Rifle?

Nice Gun!

 

[Haxby]

I didn't realize how short that scope is. Looks just right.
Brownell's Latigo sling might go well on that rig.

 

[hbfloyd]

Wow!

That set up looks terrific! I just removed my Buckmaster 4x40 from my 336. Was just not thrilled with it. But my aging eyes have a hard time with the irons beyond 75 yards (who am I kidding- beyond 50 yards). I may also take a look at your set up. Well done- and thanks for the idea!

 

[Abel]

I just removed my Buckmaster 4x40 from my 336. Was just not thrilled with it. But my aging eyes have a hard time with the irons beyond 75 yards (who am I kidding- beyond 50 yards). I may also take a look at your set up. Well done- and thanks for the idea!

Yeah, a 40mm scope is awful big on a 336. 32mm does great, as does the 20mm. Good luck.

 

[Dr T]

Nice gun for the central Hill Country.

With respect to lens caps: Out on the far western edge of the Hill Country (Irion County) it gets fairly dusty (and, more recently, smokey). I have been using the Butler Creek Bikini lens caps for a number of years. The elastic band makes the caps seal tightly and really keep the dust off the lenses. They are also very quick and easy to remove--and the speed of removal is a critical factor for a truck gun. You don't want that javalina or bobcat (or massive 12 point buck) to go wandering over the hill while you are fiddling with your lens caps.

 

[Hoth206]

I have that exact setup on a marlin m336...I use Leupold's little neoprene cover...MUCH better for protecting the whole scope (rather than just the lenses), and it's cheap, easy/quick/quiet to remove.

 

[BrocLuno]

Nice