I bought a used 30-30 a few years ago that already had a scope mounted. I've been thinking about taking off the scope and using the iron sights for deer as I already have a scoped 308. I mostly hunt thicker timber and the deer I took last year was at like 10-15 yards with a shotgun slug. Help me decide if I should pull the scope off and shoot irons. Thanks in advance.
troy fairweather
Member
Peep sight
courtgreene
Member
I’d caution you to inspect it first. My marlin came with a scope from the pawnshop I got it from. After ditching the scope for irons, I loved shooting it that way for a while. Then I found out why the previous owner scoped it. The front sight hole’s threads were all but gone and every eight or nine shots it would fly off. I tried every manner of work around and now it’s scoped again.
While I prefer a lever gun have iron sights, look closely, it may be scoped for a reason.
While I prefer a lever gun have iron sights, look closely, it may be scoped for a reason.
If I had to have iron sights I'd choose some type of peep sight. And I understand the appeal to keep a lever gun un-scoped.
But from a practical perspective optics simply do everything better, especially if the shooter is over about 25-30 or with less than perfect vision. IMO a small light 1-4X scope is about ideal on a lever gun. They aren't that big nor heavy and don't detract from the looks or balance that much. In fact, anything bigger than that is in the way more than it helps.
It's not about magnification. A scope set on 1X doesn't magnify at all. But it is faster to get on target than irons and is useful in low light where it would be impossible to see any type of iron sights. That's just as true at 15 yards as 150 yards. And if you ever need to take a longer shot 4X is enough magnification for 90% of big game hunting with any rifle.
FWIW, I don't have my lever guns scoped. But they aren't my go-to hunting rifles either. They are for those days when I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and just want to hunt with one. Wouldn't take one anywhere I really wanted to kill something.
But from a practical perspective optics simply do everything better, especially if the shooter is over about 25-30 or with less than perfect vision. IMO a small light 1-4X scope is about ideal on a lever gun. They aren't that big nor heavy and don't detract from the looks or balance that much. In fact, anything bigger than that is in the way more than it helps.
It's not about magnification. A scope set on 1X doesn't magnify at all. But it is faster to get on target than irons and is useful in low light where it would be impossible to see any type of iron sights. That's just as true at 15 yards as 150 yards. And if you ever need to take a longer shot 4X is enough magnification for 90% of big game hunting with any rifle.
FWIW, I don't have my lever guns scoped. But they aren't my go-to hunting rifles either. They are for those days when I'm feeling a bit nostalgic and just want to hunt with one. Wouldn't take one anywhere I really wanted to kill something.
.308 Norma
Member
entropy
Member
If the scope is fixed 4x or under, leaving it on is fine. 1-4 is great, for the reasons jmr40 mentioned. A peep is s great alternative also.
Armored farmer
Member
My personal thoughts on the matter is that the .30-30 rifle and cartridge are both well-suited for iron sights.
Irons on a rifle capable of shooting game at 400+yds would be a big handicap.
Irons on a rifle capable of shooting game at 400+yds would be a big handicap.
A peep sight is my choice.
But that also depends on how good your eyesight is.
I have a peep on my 94 and I have trouble seeing the front bead.
I also refuse to put a scope on it….
There are different diameter peeps you can use
It is something that you’re going to have to work out
But that also depends on how good your eyesight is.
I have a peep on my 94 and I have trouble seeing the front bead.
I also refuse to put a scope on it….
There are different diameter peeps you can use
It is something that you’re going to have to work out
dobedo
Member
Skinner Peep Sites Have them on the 45/70 and .500 S&W carbine. Marlin peep sights (skinnersights.com)
desmobob
Member
How big a person are you? I'm a big, tall guy and when I pull up my Model '94 30-30 (first centerfire rifle I ever purchased) for a quick shot, I have a heck of a time scrunching down on it so I can align the sights. I added a scope, which then aligned well with my line of sight while at the same time ruining the fine handling, easy carrying and classic looks of the rifle. 
If I had to have one as my only rifle, I'd need to have a longer butt stock with more drop and maybe even a little cast off... I don't know if anyone's ever done that; fitted it like a shotgun!
If I had to have one as my only rifle, I'd need to have a longer butt stock with more drop and maybe even a little cast off... I don't know if anyone's ever done that; fitted it like a shotgun!
JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
The 30-30 is a 100 yard deer cartridge at best.
A proper IRONSITE peep will get the job done. No telescope needed on those guns, and frankly those antique levers look silly with anything but sites.
A proper IRONSITE peep will get the job done. No telescope needed on those guns, and frankly those antique levers look silly with anything but sites.
FL-NC
Member
Mine had the Williams peep sights. They look a little weird, but at least they can be zeroed without using a punch and a lot of guesswork.
Open, or aperture ( Peep) sights are great fun and useful for hunting as long as you are willing to deal with their limitations. Accuracy is not an issue as any sights are minute of deer at 30/30 ranges.
How well you can see early in the morning and just before dark really comes into play. In good light you lose about 10 to 15 minutes of shooting light in the morning and afternoon. If it’s cloudy, rainy, snowy etc. you can lose a good deal more than that. Nothing like listening to others shoot when you are already all done. I’ve done it. I still use aperture sights on clear days, at close range , for both deer and small game. Generally hunting for fun, or , just looking for a doe to round out the freezer.
For serious hunting it’s a rifle with a scope all the way. As you indicate you have a scoped 308 it sounds like you are in pretty good shape. Pick the one that suits your needs on a particular day and head out.
How well you can see early in the morning and just before dark really comes into play. In good light you lose about 10 to 15 minutes of shooting light in the morning and afternoon. If it’s cloudy, rainy, snowy etc. you can lose a good deal more than that. Nothing like listening to others shoot when you are already all done. I’ve done it. I still use aperture sights on clear days, at close range , for both deer and small game. Generally hunting for fun, or , just looking for a doe to round out the freezer.
For serious hunting it’s a rifle with a scope all the way. As you indicate you have a scoped 308 it sounds like you are in pretty good shape. Pick the one that suits your needs on a particular day and head out.
I have had excellent results with tang-mounted peep sights on two lever-action rifles. One of them has a Lyman aperture front sight as well and is remarkably easy to shoot. In fact, when my friend tried it, he exclaimed, "Hell, buddy, you can't even miss with those sights!". The other rifle, a Winchester, had a front bead so small it was difficult to pick out in a woodsy background. So I enlarged the bead and painted it with fluorescent nail polish so now it's all good. The fiber-optic front sights have too much of a glow for me, so I like a conventional bead filed flat at an upward angle and painted with the afore-mentioned nail polish. The bead needs to be fairly large for quick acquisition in the woods. When sighted properly to place bullet-strike at the top of the bead, (that is, a close 6 0'clock hold), the larger bead does not obscure the target
d2wing
Member
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- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 6,419
I have had them both ways. I prefer a low power but good scope with an offset mount. Open sights are good too. I am not fond of peep sights for hunting but they are better for target shooting but then a scope is better than either. Each option has fans and it's not critical which you choose
I can kill a deer with any of them but much over 100 yards or low light I like a scope
I can kill a deer with any of them but much over 100 yards or low light I like a scope
Bcwitt
Member
For close in hunting, a scope just cost you time. You need to make a shot that you will lose in an instant. I strongly perfered the traditional buckhorn type sight for these conditions. Large handgun sights would be just about right. Peeps are more accurate, no doubt. But opens are the fastest in CQH.
I was hunting with a friend in Montana back in the early '60's. We were in thick timber and he dropped a Mulie that just missed being listed in Boone and Crockett. His rifle, a 30-30 with iron sights. Just thinking about it now reminds me of how magnificent that deer was.
I like peep sights and would have them for a specific application other than hunting deer with a 30-30. I like the standard iron sight for deer hunting up to 150yds with 30-30. For me, I can sight in quick and get the bead exactly where I want much faster than a peep or scope. Now I use this rifle when I am hunting in the forest and will most likely be a 25 - 100yd shot in brush. A scoped 30-30 with 160FTX hunting loads is good for 200yds if you can put the bullet where it is needed. But for me if I need/want a scope, I use my Rem721.
MacAR
Member
I have a peep on my Marlin 336 (Williams 5D-94/36 I think it is) and it works extremely well. Deer and coyotes out to 150 yards are almost a lead-pipe cinch; I have killed coyotes with 110 grain carbine bullets out to 215 yards with it and they are DRT. The only thing I don't like about the peep is that it's difficult for me to use when the shots are very close, i.e. 25 yards and back. But for that, I have my 1894 with factory irons. I'm not as accurate at distance with it but the buckhorn rear is somehow easier to snap-shoot running (driven) deer with.
Mac
Mac
GooseGestapo
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- Jan 6, 2003
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- 6,153
Sorry, but I have to disagree!
I have both scoped and unscoped .30/30’s. If properly sighted, a .30/30 will cleanly kill deer to 200+yds. In my Glenfield/Marlin M30A, I use a 150yd sight in so it’s only down 4.5” at 200yds. It wears a Nikon compact 4x. Hunting an open quail plantation in 2007, I shot a running doe across an open draw (mature pines, regularly burned) at 170yds. Shot three times. First shot hit the right front leg above the elbow, second missed in front, third took it through the chest above the heart. It cartwheeled and kicked twice. I was shooting component Remington 170gr Corlokts over 34.0gr of RL15 for 2,300fps. Bullet left a 2” exit wound.
I actually prefer my Marlin M336A in .35. A 200gr Remington Corlokt at 2,300fps over either H4895 or LVR hits with even more authority. Sighted similarly, it has a 5” drop at 200yds. My longest shot was on the same property at 220yds. Through the shoulder, bang flop! I missed the first shot as I held just over his back and he turned his head at the impact of the bullet. Second shot I held just under the top of the shoulder,.
My other two .30/30’s are Win.94’s. Both wear receiver sights!
The Bushmaster
Member
JCooperfan191 is correct. Excellent rifle for those thick forested areas. Mine is a 1949 vintage .30 WCF. Shoots 1 5/8" three shot groups at 100 yards with iron sights using my reloads (32 gr. of W748 under a 170 gr, Speer Hotcore FNSP). I also agree with JCooperfan191 that a M94 looks stupid with a scope on it.
No one said it wouldn't reach out and touch someone at 200 yards or more, but it is best suited for 100 yards.
No one said it wouldn't reach out and touch someone at 200 yards or more, but it is best suited for 100 yards.
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Yep, iron sights are better for hunting in my opinion but it can go out to 200 with the right bullet and sights. Hornady's 160FTX is designed for this. So for me, iron sights limit me to 150. And I'm not going to put a scope or peep sights on my 1941 WIN 1894.
