Scope choices

[possom813]

I'm trying to decide which scope I want to put on my 336.

I've narrowed it down to a few choices within my budget

Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40

Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 w/nikoplex(whatever that is)

Leupold VX I 3-9x40

Nikon 4x32

Leupold 4x32

I know what the 4x32 scopes will look like, but I kind of want a 3-9x40 to pick up the morning light better and for the 9x to see the critters a little better from the stand.

I don't really have any other use for the 9 power scope, and don't know if it would look right on the 336.

I've had 4x32's on just about every scoped rifle I've owned and have often wanted the capability to zoom in a little bit to see exactly what was moving around without having to put down the rifle and pick up the binoculars.

Pics, thoughts, suggestions? I'm trying to keep the budget around 200, give or take a little, but if there's a better scope that I can justify without breaking the bank, I'm all for it. If I'm going to spend the money on a quality scope, I want it to be worth the price.

-John

edit, nevermind on the pic, I found a couple on gunbroker. It doesn't look hideous like I thought it would.

But to put a 40mm scope onto a 336, will the scope fit without resting on the barrel? Or do I have to use the God awful ugly see through mounts?

 

[possom813]

Also, reading through opticsplanet, what's a bdc and nikoplex reticle, and which is better, if either?

 

[greyling22]

a fixed scope 4x scope will look better on the gun. bigger scopes tend to look funny in my opinion (not worth much) the ore compact the better.

I like the nikon's better than the leupolds. (prostaff vs vx1) the prostaff looked brighter and it is cheaper. But I have low standards for scopes and leupolds have very vocal fans. You can get taller rings without getting giant see through rings. they come in low, medium, high, extra high, and see-through. not all brands heights (high for example) are the same height.

nikoplex http://www.skyoptics.com/images/nikon reticles.gif
bdc http://www.4scopes.com/images/BDCsmall.gif

also, at some point you will be recommended a nikon team primos because it is the same thing as the monarch but much cheaper. that may be true. I actually think it is the old monarch. you might also check out the swfa sample list.

 

[frankiestoys]

+1 Nikon pro-staff good scope for the money

 

[sleepyone]

Nikon Buckmaster all the way!

 

[Badlander]

The 2x7 Nikon is on sale at www.opticsplanet.com For $109. I don't think you can find A better scope for A 336 Marlin anywhere near that price.

 

[possom813]

Is a 2-7 good to use on a rifle? Probably one of my dumber questions, but all of the 2-7 scopes that I saw were described as for 'shotgun' and 'slug gun', is it ok for a rifle?

 

[Badlander]

Yes. The 2x7 Nikon works great on the 30-30. The difference is the paralax is set at 75 yds instead of 100yds. You should not notice the difference at 30-30 ranges.
I have one on my 336SS and like it very well. You can spend more money and not get A better scope. IMHO.

 

[chevyforlife21]

a marlin dont need a scope lol

 

[jmr40]

The Nikon 2-7 mounted as low as possible is the one you want. You could spend more money and get a little better scope in the same size, but for the money I like the Nikon

 

[Badlander]

Chevy
My Marlins don't need scopes. My old eyes do.

 

[Runningman]

I like the 2-7X scopes on 30-30 myself. Years ago I took off a 4X scope on my 336 and put a 2-7X Leupold it is a much more versatile set up than a typical 4X scope.

 

[possom813]

This particular marlin needs a scope. I don't like peep sights and the traditional V sight that is on it now is way off, I don't know if I dropped it or what.

I took it out last week to put a few rounds on paper to make sure it was still where it's supposed to be for deer season. I went through an entire box of shells trying to get it right.

The first shot at 100 paces was about a foot high and 8 or so inches to the right. The second shot was about a half inch from the first hole.

So I moved up to about 25 paces and tried again, still high and to the right.

About 5 or 6 shots and I finally got it shooting level at 25 paces, but still to the right.

I did everything I could to the sights and they don't move left and right.

At 25 paces it's level and about 3 inches to the right of the target.

All of the shots were lined up at exactly the same spot and the shots were fired from the 336 mounted in a gunvise.

The wife was with me and saw me getting aggravated and suggested I put a new scope on it.

So here we are.

 

[hogshead]

What type sights do you have? If there dove tailed in you have to have a hammer and punch to move them.

 

[possom813]

Plain old V sights, or batwing or whatever you want to call them. The rear sight is adjustable up and down and is a piece of metal with a V notched into it that lines up with the front site. The V sight folds down on it for whatever reason.

There's no easy adjustment for it, so I've been looking for a good scope to put on it. I figure the cost/wait for a gunsmith to go at it and fix it right would be pretty close to the cost of a good scope, and then I probably wouldn't have it back before opening day.

 

[litman252]

............capability to zoom in a little bit to see exactly what was moving around without having to put down the rifle and pick up the binoculars.

PLEASE don't do that if I'm moving around and you want to know what I'm doing.........

I'd go w/ 2-7. I only have 3-9 on one rifle for deer and it is meant for sitting, the rest have 2-7, 1.5-6 or 1-4. Mostly nikon's.

Thanks,
Tony

 

[possom813]

Raccoons and other small critters litman, I've got a decent set of binoculars for everything else...

However, I do believe that if you're on my land and I see you moving around, the crosshairs will probably be on you at least once, at least until the game warden shows up.

And why is it a pair or set of binoculars when it's just one piece of equipment?

 

[litman252]

binoculars mononcular is one

And I don't care if you land is private, too many accidents for cross hairs to be on anything that your license is not for!!!!!

Tony

 

[AKElroy]

I am not a fan of scopes on lever guns, but my eyes need one as well. I recently picked up a newish model 94, and put a vintage all steel Weaver K-4 on it & I think it looks great. For your Marlin, i would consider finding a vintage Weaver if looks are important; expect to pay $100-150 for a clean example of a mid 60's k-4. If you go that route, make sure it is an El Paso manufacture.

If you want something new, I hear great things about the Nikon prostaff & have a 3X9X40 on order for another rifle. Rings & ring height can make or break the apperance of your marlin. I really like the look of the original Weaver top-mounts. They are broad, but have no protrusions on the top side & are quick detachable with repeatable zero. These are standard (low) height, and they work fine. For the 40mm, you will need to to go up to the high mounts, they are not see through, and it will still look right. Do not get the "super" high mounts, they will not be necessary for a 40mm objective.

 

[sprice]

i just got a cheap ($40) bushnell 4x. In my oppinion a scope has no business on a 30-30, but I wanted one anyway and I've thrown it in the mud and dirt and it's still done me pretty well.

 

[benzy2]

I found an old Japan made Tasco 4x at the local shop for $10. Best $10 I've spent in a while. I was terrible with the 336 irons. It just wasn't working. After going to the fixed 4x it was holding factory Wolf Gold box stuff around 2" at 100 yards. The first round of load testing produced a load that held right at 1" at 100 and its been my go to ever since. I think a 4x scope works perfect on a 30-30 especially with round nose bullets. From an aesthetics point of view I think the smaller the better on a lever gun but use what you need to shoot how you want. If you are taking game use as much optic as needed to make a humane shot.

I will say while I think irons look better on a 336 the fixed 4x doesn't look half bad either and it turn the rifle from one I wanted nothing more than to sell into one that has earned its place into the do not sell list.