marlin 795, peep or scope?

[mdub]

i picked up a marlin 795 22lr over the holiday and I want to put some kind of improved sighting system on it. I really like the idea of putting a peep sight on it but i know i can go cheaper by getting a scope.

I'd be using this mostly for target and plinking, maybe Appleseed if one ever comes back to the general area.

I don't mean to stir up the pot with this post, so it it gets out of control please shut it down.

 

[Hunterdad]

I put a scope on my 795 and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[threoh8]

Which do you prefer?

For general shooting, I prefer a good aperture receiver sight and a post front. GI-style protective wings are OK, but not necessary. I do like to have no-tool elevation and windage adjustments at the rear sight. I've used the Williams Foolproof with target knobs on several rifles, and assorted pure target sights on others.

Sometimes, though, it's nice to have a clear, magnified view of the target. My bull-barrel 10/22 has a variable that works well enough.

 

[travisd]

I put a Bushnell rimfire 4x32 on mine

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I think the type of aiming device used for general plinking and recreational shooting is more a matter of want than need. I prefer the aperture type rear sights with a ball post or hooded front sight for general shooting at less than 300 yds, beyond that or for plinking on prairie dogs I prefer some magnification to allow better shot placement. I find scopes are usually detrimental to target acquisition for plinking. Just my $.02.

 

[Inebriated]

I put a 3-9x on it that I had laying around. I like it a lot.

 

[mdub]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I realize most of what is making this decision difficult for me is that i'm being cheap. I often have difficultly with what i call being "efficient" or not spending too much but buying what will work most effectively.

i think what i want is the tech-sights, but i know i can get the Berska Plinker for about half the price. But for a scope my better sense tells me to buy something better like a rimfire Leupold or Nikon, but that is putting some serious investment into a $90 rifle.

 

[henschman]

I would consider this scope: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/28...act-rifle-scope-4x-32mm-mil-dot-reticle-matte

A couple of my friends who are also Appleseed instructors have them, and love them for their .22s. They are nice short, compact scopes, and are definitely easier to get proper eye relief with on a .22's short receiver than most other scopes are.

Also, get the lowest rings that will work.

 

[Inebriated]

I've got a Tasco somethin-or-other, and it was $30 at WalMart. Keeps zero, and gives good options (3-9x). But that UTG looks pretty cool... Might get one to throw on the WASR or something. I imagine it could hold up to the light recoil.

 

[mdub]

henschman,

the leapers is interesting, but it seems to be more of a rifle scope than a 22, do you think parallax is something i should care about?

 

[henschman]

I think it is a PERFECT .22 scope! In fact, that's about ALL I would use it for... I wouldn't put a scope that is that cheap and made by that manufacturer on any center fire that is intended for any kind of serious use.

Parallax is nothing to worry about... it is only an issue if your head is positioned inconsistently in relation to the scope from shot to shot. Just make sure you have a consistent sight picture, which comes from having a consistent shoulder pocket, turkey neck, and cheek weld... Appleseed will teach you more about that! Anyway, no scope, even one with an adjustable objective, is truly "parallax free," and you can't make up for poor fundamentals with fancy equipment. Just learn how to shoot properly, and parallax will not be an issue.

 

[gidaeon]

I ran tech-sight peeps on my marlin 795 and shot rifleman over my first appleseed weekend. I was able to find tech sights used, maybe you could too? After a few more appleseeds I changed it over to a 3-9 AO scope and my wife often shoots that and she and both then accomplished our best scores that way. The rail doesn't go back as far as I'd like and many 795 rails are cut in a canted manner.

If you go with a scope skip the rings that don't stay put and use a one piece leapers mount for whatever height you prefer. No joke, the guys on rimfirecentral forums love them and the big long piece stays put! Good price too.

Both options have their place. If you already have other scoped setups I vote tech sights. Shooting irons well is more satisfying than doing such w/ a scope

 

[Mauser lover]

I have had a barska 3x-9x on my Marlin .22 for a couple of years now. Nice and clear, had no problems with it whatsoever, but I do use Weaver rings.