marlin scope selection help

[greyling22]

I posted this over on marlinowners and I got some great responses, but I wanted to cast a wider net:

I'm going to have to mount a scope on my 1894c. I don't really like it, but its either that or guess at what and where I am shooting at. Irons, even peeps are blurri g out on me.

So, I want small and light obviously, no 16x monstrosities. While I am not fixed on leupold, they seem to offer the smallest scopes other than the weaver 1-3x20 which I have and don't want for this application. I want the power to bottom out at 2. So I was looking at the
Leuoold fx2 ultralight 2.5x20
Or the leupold rimfire

the fx2 looks pretty yummy in terms of small size and light weight, but the long eye relief (5")seems like mounting it might present a problem. And lets face it, it's expensive. (I'd love to find that mythical just as good but half the price scope)

Do y'all had an opinion or preference or other suggestion.

I've tried the scout scope on another gun with a cheap scope. It works pretty well, but I shoot left and I'm right eye dominant t so the both eyes open thing doesn't work real well for me, and 1 eye gives a pretty small field of view.

pictures are welcome.

 

[ugaarguy]

The Leupold FXII is a great scope for the size, weight, and low profile adjustment knobs. However, here are some lower cost options.

You can get the Redfield Revolution 2-7x33 for $200. The Revolution line is assembled in Oregon from US and foreign components just like it's Leupoold brothers. It also carries the same lifetime warranty from Leupold.

If you want to save even more money you could get a Redfield Revenge 2-7x34 for $140. The Revenge line is made in Asia (the Philippines IIRC) but still has the same Redfield / Leupold warranty. I haven't used a Revenge line scope, but with Leupold's backing I'd be willing to try one.

At a similar price point is the Nikon ProStaff 2-7x33 for $150.

Last, you could get a Sightron SI Hunter 2-7x32 for $120. Sightron is a US based company that has their scopes made in Asia to their specs. They offer a very good lifetime warranty with US service in NC.

None of those are as small and light as FXII, but they're not huge either. What's significant is that all are good scopes at much more wallet friendly prices.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Used Leupold 4x M8.....probably about 100 bucks.

 

[jmr40]

I really like a 1-4X20 on a small gun. When set on 1X they are incredibly fast for close shots, 4X gives more magnification than you can use with a lever gun. My Leupolds weigh 8 oz. I have 2 AR's with them. I have no trouble shooting out to 200 yards. Probably could go farther, just haven't tried.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-Hog-Scope-P51848.aspx

A fixed 4X is an option. But I find 4X to be way too much magnification most of the time. I use variables with 2X-3X on the low end on my bolt rifles. Even with 200 yard shots I rarely move off 2X or 3X when hunting.

If money is a concern you can get some 2-7X scopes for around $50-$60 less. Not a bad choice, but 2X isn't nearly as good up close, and you don't need anything over 3X-4X on this gun. Plus the 2-7's start getting a little heavier.

In addition to the suggestions made by ugaarguy I like this in a 2-7X. The 1-4X Leupold is what I'd strongly suggest. But if over budget the Burris is my 2nd choice.


http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x35-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P5972.aspx

 

[greyling22]

I have actually looked at the hog and the shotgun leupold scopes. My problmes with them are that I don't really like the reticles offered on then, and they are the same size and weight as the weaver v3, which for some reason just doesn't resonate well with me.
I think it's because I don't like less than 2x on a scope. I just can't stand to see all that barrel and sight in the scope. personal hang up I know.

I have the Burris 2-7x in a drawer and I just don't like it for this application. It, like most every 2-7x scope, (sorry ugaarguy, good recommendation on 2-7x optics) is just too big for this gun.

I keep finding fault with some really great suggestions and scopes, so I must know what I want. that fx2 2.5x, but I can't figure out how to mount it. It's got to be far enough forward for the eye relief to work, which puts it too far past the receiver to get 2 rings on it. And i'ts not far enough forward to get a scout scope mount on it. It's like this weird dead zone. The only thing I can think of is one of those huge xs rails that extends the scout scope all the way to the back of the receiver, and I don't want that at all.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The Leupold 2-7 x 28 rimfire is compact. With parallax set at 60 yards, it would work well on a short range lever gun...I own one of those scopes and really like it.

 

[Haxby]

The Weaver 4x28 rimfire is a nice scope. They say it's tough enough for airguns.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

Consider the Weaver 1-3x20:



http://www.opticsplanet.com/weaver-rifle-scopes-v3-hunting-849400.html

I have three - two in use, and one in the safe in case they are ever discontinued. One spent a considerable amount of time on a 336.

Made in the Philippines. If you can live with 3x instead of 4x, it is a tremendous value, and a great optic.

Mark H.

 

[Haxby]

So, the Weaver V series scopes are made in the Philippines now. The K series, too?

 

[OpticsPlanet]

My apologies, read the thread title and not the original post, apparently. You already have the Weaver 1-3x.

Mark H.

 

[greyling22]

yeah, the v3 is a fine scope, it's just not what I want. I don't use anything less than 2.2x because of seeing the barrel in the scope, and it bothers me to have so much of the scope unused.