Hog Rifle Scope

[wrs840]

My early-seventies Marlin 336 in 35 Remington is being retired from "primary" deer-rifle duty as I just got a Savage 11FNS in .308, and a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40.

So... It's time to take the old Bushnell Sportview 3-9x40 off of the Marlin and set it up to be more suitably specialized as a short-distance, low-light, woods-hunting rifle: Basically, I'm thinking about a hog set-up or a still-hunter for whitetail.


Here's what I'm believing might be more suitable optics for a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington for the sticks of Western Piedmont NC:

Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5-4.5x32 with Firefly reticle?

Or Burris Fullfield II 2-7x35 with Balistic Plex reticle?


Or should I consider something red-dot or hologram? I don't know jack about them. Is there something else I'm not thinking about?

I'm far from a seasoned hunter, actually just regaining interest at 52, so all opinions appreciated as always.

Les

 

[OPtact4]

Im a big lever guy, and my vote has to go to the Nikon Monarch 2-8x32. That will give you everything you need for your 336. Nikon also has their Spot On technology so you cam match your 35 Remington load to the reticle and get a ballistic table readout automatically. It even shows you holdover points for any magnification at which ever distance you want.

 

[Badlander]

Leupold Scout scope.

 

[Abel]

They are both nice. And you have the right idea with these sizes of scope. The Elite 3200 is very nice for that price, but I'm not sure how useful the firefly reticle would be....probably more useful than the Burris Ballistic Plex. Also look at the new Redfield 2-7x32mm.

 

[BrocLuno]

1.5 to 5 is fine. Can you shoot pigs at night there? If so, a low illuminated reticle may help.

Another choice is a Red Dot ?

 

[NWCP]

I use a 2x7x33 Leupold VXII on one of my ARs specifically for hogs, coyotes and other varmint. The field of view with a 2x and magnification of the 7x give me a lot of flexibility out to and a skosh past 200 yards. Scopes in this range are also compact and light weight which is a plus in the field.

 

[DocMike]

I just put a 3-9x50 on an AR and love it. It gives me great light gathering in low light and can zoom out to 3x for close shooting. You can see a target with a flashlight with that 50 mm bell. Amazing.

 

[chas08]

I put a new Redfield Revolution 2-7 x 33 with the Accurange Reticle on my 336 in 35 Rem. The small circle around the crosshair is very easy to pick up in low light and dense cover, it represents about a six inch diameter circle at 100 yds on 2x. The bottom of the circle and lower aiming points could probably be worked out as holdover points for your caliber at longer ranges. I haven't experimented with that yet. They are made in the USA, have a lifetime warranty, and run about $160. It also fits the gun well.

 

[Limey46]

I've found that the most important factor in a hog scope is LOW POWER. I too have used the 2x-7x Leupold VXII, and it works well, but I like the 1x-4x even better. To my mind it's the perfect scope for a Marlin 336. It's out of production now, so finding one is tough but worth the effort. Leupold's new model begins at 1.5X. Not bad at all, but not perfect either.

I mostly hunt hogs on foot, sneaking up on them, and it can get exciting at times. Too much magnification with a pissed-off piggy at ten yards is a bad thing.

Another scope I really like is the Millett DMS Tactical 1x-4x. It's got a 30mm tube and a black donut reticle you can illuminate into red, and it's under $200. Great on my 6.8 AR, but it looks all wrong on lever guns.

 

[Walkalong]

Either one would work. I put a 2-7 Vortex on my .35 Remington 336. They were on sale and a great deal, so that is what I went with. There are other good options of course. Any low power big field of view scope with decent glass will work.

 

[2ac]

I would think that a 1-4x with an illuminated reticle is the way to go. Depending on your price range there are many choices available. I have a Meopta K Dot and really like it. Very bright and clear, and it's a true 1x power.

 

[41 Mag]

I have a Ruger Compact in .308 that I set up expressly for hogs in tight brush. I added a Burris Signature 1.5x6 Electro Dot to it and could not have been happier with how it has worked out through the years.

The dot is VERY small but on a black hog at dusk or later it is the defining factor when having to silhouette the hog against a lighter background like open pasture or even when putting the spotlight on them. My oldest grandson has used it on several occaisions to make the shot when it was simply too dark to see the thick cross hairs against the backdrop and the black hogs.

It has also allowed me to make shots out to over 400yds with plenty of power for accuracy. The thick post make up close target acquisition almost instinctive.

IMO, give them a hard look over they are well worth the money, and in the long run, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Maverick223]

Either would be fine choices...anything greater than 2x would be a poor choice IMO. That said, I believe their are better choices from an optical standpoint as I have found neither to be particularly bright. Personally I have to agree with Walkalong WRT the Viper 2-7x32mm...it is one of the best deals going ATM. Personally I find that the German No. 4 reticle is the best for short range, fast target aquisition, quick engagement, but that Versa-Plex looks like it would work well also (similar to a "Turkey-Plex", which works well).

 

[cmdc]

I have been trying to decide on a scope for this very application. What about a Trijicon 1.25-4x32 with illuminated post reticle?

 

[cmdc]

Actually it's 1.25-4x24. My mistake.

 

[Maverick223]

What about a Trijicon 1.25-4x32 with illuminated post reticle?

While I doubt it is a bad scope, I don't see where the money went on that particular scope... definitely not into good glass (which isn't really horrible glass, just not nearly as good as what they put in their other products). Tritium is a nice feature, but IMO it isn't bright enough to need it.

 

[Cypress]

I think SWFA just dropped the price on that 2-7X32 Viper again. It's at $149. I have to get one of these, can't afford not to.


........Oh Yeah..........
Cypress is in no way affiliated with Vortex or SWFA, he just knows a damn good deal when he sees one!!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I am happy with mine at 179. 149 is a steal.