Lever Action Scopes

[countertop]

Before anyone jumps on me about it being sacreligious to put a scope on a lever action . . . let me say I have a tough time enough seeing 100 yards that I wouldn't insult a deer by not having the tools necessary to get the job done at hand.

That said, I have a Marlin 336 and because of my eye sight would like to put a scope on it. Mostly for deer hunting - but also some plinking - what should I be looking at as far as scopes go? What kind of rings? Mount on receiver or on the barrel? Anything else?

 

[Dave Rishar]

I have a Leupold VX-II 1x4 20mm on my 1895.

I use it for the same reason that you would: while my left eye is pretty good, my right one is nearly gone and what remains is not getting any better. Unless I want to play the whole "spot the target, remember where it is, focus on the front sight and aim where I think that the target was" game (which I've been playing for some time now, believe it or not) I need optics and my leverguns have them. I like this one in particular because it has plenty of eye relief, is fairly small and light, and when dialed at 1x, acts as a sort of poor man's reflex sight; with both eyes open, the reticle is superimposed over my binocular vision and prints very close to where it would be with only one eye.

Since I'm slinging them bigger and slower than most, I set an initial 50 yard zero on the upper junction between the thick and thin lines of the reticle and then find where the crosshairs and the lower transition print experimentally, giving me three aiming points at 1x and 3 at 4x. (The only two magnifications that I use.) If I find that they're not to my liking, I'll play with them and the load until everything comes together. These three aiming points will generally cover any reasonable shot and if one is so inclined, one can figure out holdovers beyond that with a bit of time and practice. I find it easier than remembering which notch on the rear sight ramp prints at which range, and hoping that it's still where I last left it.

 

[killzone]

I wish I still had my Marlin. Try this kind of optic on it. I think they work the best on a leaver gun.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

countertop,

If it were me, I'd put a fixed 4 power scope on it and call it good.

Sam

 

[countertop]

thanks

any thougts on weaver scopes?

I just bid on a fixed 4x weaver on ebay.

 

[Byron]

Countertop, I have a Weaver 2 1/2 on a 94.It is a good scope. Will recoil further hurt your eyes?
I am originally from the north Georgia mountains near Blue Ridge and know the terrain.If recoil becomes a problem,a bolt action in 223 would reduce it.When I lived there, alot of hunters used 223 with Hornady 60 grain or Speer 70 grain. Byron

 

[Anthony T.]

223 for deer hunting? always pops up some time or another everywhere I go. Keep the 30-30 and throw on a x4 fixed or 1x4 20mm scope. I like a scope better than open sights also.

 

[countertop]

Byron,

Recoil doesn't bother me on a .30-30 in the least.

Where in North Georgia/Tennessee are you? We have a family home in Georgia just south of Chattanooga.

BTW, with any luck I'll have a 4x Weaver this afternoon.

 

[jerkface11]

I had a bushnell banner 3-9x40 shotgun scope with the "circle X" reticle on my marlin. Lots of eye relief good field of view and they don't cost a lot.

 

[Roadkill]

I just sighted in my Marlin 336 yesterday with a Millet Buck 3x9. I got it for $100 new in box on ebay from a super nice guy in CA. They run about $150 retail. I was hitting 2" groups at 150 yds using 150g Remington Coreloks with 30g IMR 4895. I am very impressed. I have Weaver mounts.

rk

 

[grizz]

I just scoped my 336 XLR 30-30... VERY glad I did.

Bases and rings: Several makers for the 336, but the two that come to mind are Weaver and Leupold. I opted for the Leupold as they are steel (vs. aluminum) and VERY well built. A bit heavy, but extremely strong.

For a scope under $200, I like the 3-9 Nikon Buckmasters. IMO 3x is great for quick shots under 50 yards. If I spot a buck in the distance I can crank it over to 9x in ~1 second flat and feel very confident shooting out to 200 with the new Hornady ammo & 24 inch barrel.

I can give you the specific model numbers of the Leupold base & rings if you'd like.

 

[ScottsGT]

I just installed a Lepold VX-I, lowest power they make, I think it is a 2 to 4 or 6? with a 33mm opening. Fits the gun great. Now I need to sight it in.

 

[countertop]

Grizz,

if you would post the model number for the base and rings that would be great. Thanks!

 

[grizz]

Will do tomorrow, at work now.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

I have a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 on my 336 from time to time. I like it and don't hesitate to recommend it to you.

 

[foghornl]

I have a Tasco 4x32 on my Marlin Mdl 30A...

Same problem as some of the earlier posters....Can't get a good fix on Bambi out past 75 Yds with the iron sights.

I don't remember the brand of rings right now, but they are the high rings, with the see-through 'feature', so that someone {NOT me} could use the iron sights.

 

[steven04]

I use a Simmons 1.5-5x20 on my Marlin 1894 (.357), works for me

 

[Roadkill]

I've got a brand new set of Millet mounts that I don't need. Came with the scope. I think they were $15. PM if you need them.

rk

 

[grizz]

Leupold Bases and Rings

Rings: STD Med Rings (49901) Matte

Base: STD 336R (49987)

 

[jjohnson]

Yep. Scopes are okay. My eyes are old, too!

Yeah, I hear you. My eyes turned 49 last month and the damned things don't work with irons like they used to.

I have a fairly accurate Rossi 92 in .357 that I ordered a Weaver sidemount and ring set for. I haven't mounted it yet, but 'twil do. I'm mounting a 2.5 scope with an illuminated dot on it - seems light is always crappy when I need to shoot. I had to go with the side mount 'cause a 92 ecjects brass straight up.
Had I known my eyesight was going dim, I'd have bought a levergun that at least angle ejected. The scope will break up a rather graceful profile, but hey, it's a nice shooter, so side mounted scope zeroed for 50 yards is going to be the compromise. I'm just glad I don't have to stick it in a saddle scabbard. :banghead:

 

[Mannlicher]

all of my Lever guns are scoped, excepting only my old Rossi Model 92 in .357.
As others have mentioned, I too like the 20mm tubes, and I prefer low mag variables, like older El Paso steel Weavers and the older Denver CO made Redfields.

 

[countertop]

OK, Steven04 what is that black rifle?

Thanks Grizz!

 

[steven04]

Hi Grizz

Its a Sako TRG-22 in .308. I'm looking to purchase its bigger brother the Sako TRG-42 in .338 lapua mag soon too

Cheers
Steven

 

[skeeter1]

I have a 3-9x32 scope on my Marlin 1894C, and it's overkill. I haven't used it beyond 6x. I'm thinking of getting something more along the lines if a 2-7x32 scope for it. I don't like big objective lenses because I like to keep the scope mounted as close to the barrel as I can. As you might guess, I got the shortest scope rings I could find.

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

I don't have a scope on my "old" 30-30... but do on my 45-70 & custom 50 AE lever guns... the big 50 pained me, & I thought long & hard before scoping that one, but I shoot so much better with a cross hair than with iron sights... the glass on that piece is a Cabela's Alaskan Guide series zero power scope, & has a huge field of view, a huge eye relief range & can even be used with both eyes open... I think I have a Bushnell 3 X 9 scope on the 45-70 ( it was on it, when I bought it used several years ago, & I have been using the TC Contender in 45-70 instead of the lever gun for deer, the last several years ), so I "think" thats whats on that one...