For those who are owners of the Marlin line of 30-30 rifles (or Winchester for that matter), what optics has everyone tried and liked? I just picked up a 336a and plan for this to be my "travel in states where handgun is illegal" and as a gun for deer hunting in Georgia. I am thinking of a low mounted 2-7X as a good match, but would like to here what others have used and liked. Thanks!
30/30 rifle
- Thread starter RandyB
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SSN Vet
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consider an appeture sight.
You can get very good results out to 100 yds.
makes for quick target aquisiton.
keeps the rifle light, well balanced and handy.
I put a Williams 5D on mine and was able to keep the stock front sight and brush shroud.
You can get very good results out to 100 yds.
makes for quick target aquisiton.
keeps the rifle light, well balanced and handy.
I put a Williams 5D on mine and was able to keep the stock front sight and brush shroud.
B.D. Turner
Member
I have been using 3-9 x 40 scopes on all of my 30-30's for hunting. Rear peep's are the way to go if you are hunting in heavy woods.
03Shadowbob
Member
Same here BD Turner. 3-9x40 Nikon is what I have on mine.
MacPelto
Member
WWG ghost ring. I love mine.
Mac
Mac
grizz
Member
3-9 x 40 Nikon Buckmasters on my 336 XLR. Groups <1 MOA w/ the New Hornady LeveRevolution ammo.
Northslope Nimrod
Member
I'm still researching myself.....but I like something with atleast a 40mm view. And something small. a 2-7x40 would be about right.
Many shots with my 30-30 are close range on the run. I like a scope for those shots.
Many shots with my 30-30 are close range on the run. I like a scope for those shots.
Snarlingiron
Member
I am in the process of putting the XS systems Scout mount on my 1894 Winchester. I have bought the Weaver 2x pistol scope for it.
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
Williams peep sights on mine work wonders.
vmfrantz
Member
I had a strait 4 on mine. It worked great. But I just took it off and am going with some type of open sight. It just looks more natural.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Leupold 2.5X scout scope mounted on an XS Sight Systems scout mount on my 336RC. Great package, IMHO. My eyes aren't what they used to be, and the scout setup is quick to the shoulder, easy to shoot both eyes open, and the modest magnification helps at 100-150 yards, which is what I consider my effective maximum range with the .30-30.
A low mounted 2-7X compact would be my second choice. I have one of those on a .308 carbine also used for deer hunting.
A low mounted 2-7X compact would be my second choice. I have one of those on a .308 carbine also used for deer hunting.
Hutch
Member
Just sighted in my Leupold Vari-X III 1.75x6 on my 336. Man, I'd have never guessed that I, of all people, would turn into a scope snob.
I've used a Weaver 1.5x4 fine crosshair (first scope I owned, that scope is now on a .22)
Leupold Gold Ring FIXED 4x scope (which went to another .22 for some reason)
And a Tasco 2.5x7 (currently on it)
The 3030 doesn'y have the reach of a 30-06 or 308, never saw a reason to put a more powerful scope on it.
A scoped Marlin will shoot better than 2moa at 100 yards if you do your part.
As far as utility goes, a 4x fixed power has no moving parts to break, throw it up to your eye and bang.
Leupold Gold Ring FIXED 4x scope (which went to another .22 for some reason)
And a Tasco 2.5x7 (currently on it)
The 3030 doesn'y have the reach of a 30-06 or 308, never saw a reason to put a more powerful scope on it.
A scoped Marlin will shoot better than 2moa at 100 yards if you do your part.
As far as utility goes, a 4x fixed power has no moving parts to break, throw it up to your eye and bang.
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
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- Aug 15, 2006
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- 2,149
I did a Williams WGRS peep with a new green fiber optic front sight on my 336. Compact and unobstrusive; I like it. You will definitely need a taller front sight than the stock one from the factory, I think mine measures .500" where stock is .340" if I'm not mistaken. I've heard of people using .450" with good results.
A 5D or Foolproof would be easier to "dial in", if that's important to you. I'm just going to split the difference between 150 and 170 grain and call it a day, as soon as I get the chance. At classic 30/30 ranges, that should work fine for me.
A 5D or Foolproof would be easier to "dial in", if that's important to you. I'm just going to split the difference between 150 and 170 grain and call it a day, as soon as I get the chance. At classic 30/30 ranges, that should work fine for me.
I use a Lyman 66 receiver sight. I probably will have to get scopes eventually, but I'm holding out as long as I can. The receiver sights have been my favorite for 40 years. They are fast, accurate at reasonable ranges, and don't get fogged up or break easily.
Bob
Bob
Essex County
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For this type of gun I favor a fixed 21/2 or a low power variable. The new Weaver 1-3 is a great scope for around 140 or so......Essex
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
No need for a moon scope on a .30-30, most shots will be at fairly close range. A fixed 2.5X or a low powered variable (1-4X or 1.5-4.5X) is plenty, and will mount lower to boot. Getting the target and the crosshair in the same plane is the major advantage to optics on this gun.
lpl/nc
lpl/nc
DWARREN123
Member
May I suggest a Weaver K4 or K6. No magnification changes to mess up, less expensive and, I feel, more durable.
Another vote for the peep. With the lyman ( and possibly others)you can use the peep for pretty good distance shooting or unscrew the apeture and use the remaining hole as a "gost ring" in real thick brush.
Many of the early guns are drilled for peeps but take a bit of work to get a scope mounted.
A good peep isn't cheep but many times the peep itself is cheeper than a good set of rings,never mind a scope.
Most lever guns have stocks shaped to work well with low mounted factory iron sights or peeps of similar height, a scope even with low rings will be higher and the ill concieved "see through" rings are a real problem.
For those of us with 50+ year old eyes a peep sight acts as a lens and allows us to focous on sights and targets that are quite out of the question with open iron sights.
For getting off a shot at dawn or dusk a good bright high quality scope can make all the difference . This few minutes of time at the start and end of daylight is of course very productive when hunting so this benifit of a good scope is huge.
Many of the early guns are drilled for peeps but take a bit of work to get a scope mounted.
A good peep isn't cheep but many times the peep itself is cheeper than a good set of rings,never mind a scope.
Most lever guns have stocks shaped to work well with low mounted factory iron sights or peeps of similar height, a scope even with low rings will be higher and the ill concieved "see through" rings are a real problem.
For those of us with 50+ year old eyes a peep sight acts as a lens and allows us to focous on sights and targets that are quite out of the question with open iron sights.
For getting off a shot at dawn or dusk a good bright high quality scope can make all the difference . This few minutes of time at the start and end of daylight is of course very productive when hunting so this benifit of a good scope is huge.
If you are taking the Marlin for self defense, I would suggest the peep with a tritium front or other prominent sight blade. For scopes I would use a straight tube Leupie or a Weaver 1x3 variable. My marlin is in 357 mag and it is primarily for SD and recreation. I use a Williams Foolproof.
For SD you might want to buy some of Federal's fine 125 gr fnsp, plenty of punch, good expansion and moderate penetration. There might be some good stuff on <www.tacticalforums.com> Do a search on Federal 125 gr 30-30.
For SD you might want to buy some of Federal's fine 125 gr fnsp, plenty of punch, good expansion and moderate penetration. There might be some good stuff on <www.tacticalforums.com> Do a search on Federal 125 gr 30-30.
AStone
Member
AStone
Member
Bump
I won't get it for a week,
but I did pay for it.
Still thinking scout scope,
but will probably add some kind of
GR or aperture, also.
Me? Excited?
No way...
Just because I also bought 3 boxes
of 150 gr. rnds in antipation
doesn't mean I'm excited.
<turn the page>
Bought mine today: 336A.
I won't get it for a week,
but I did pay for it.
Still thinking scout scope,
but will probably add some kind of
GR or aperture, also.
Me? Excited?
No way...
Just because I also bought 3 boxes
of 150 gr. rnds in antipation
doesn't mean I'm excited.
<turn the page>
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