Scope for Marlin 30-30

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Kawkawlin

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I just bought a marlin 336 30-30, and am in the market for a good scope for it, and thought it would be a good idea to tap into the knowledge of the posters of The High Road.

I'm thinking of a fixed 4x and don't want to spend too much, maybe $250 if possible. I mostly hunt in the thick woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan, so i don't think i would need a variable power scope, plus a 30-30 isn't exactly a long range rifle.

Also, if anyone has any advice on mounts, any recommendations i would surely appreciate it.

Thanks!
 
I know that you mentioned that you wanted a fixed 4x scope...but you may really want to look into the Nitrex by Weaver 1.5-5x32 on closeout for $130 at Natchez. The nitrex scopes are rebadged weaver grand slam scopes for half price.
 
I got one from Cabella's that was designed for the LeverEvolution from Hornady. It has a BDC per set for that round. I do really well at 300 yards.
 
Don't let the notion that you hunt at short range dissuade you from installing a 3x9 or 4x12. The high magnification will allow you to see little parts of the deer in the thick brush - assuming the deer is stationary.

If you think you are going to be taking most of your shots at MOVING deer, ditch the scope altogether and get an EOTECH or an Aimpoint.

You should consider avoiding scopes that have no bell on the front objective.
That big bell gathers light - the primary advantage of a scope.

I like the Leupold "gold-ring" Vari-X series for the warranty.

I've been through the warranty ordeal with the Chinese scopes.
Never do that again.

Buy once, cry once.

Leupoldwarranty.jpg
 
I put a 3-9 x 42 Nikon Prostaff on my 30-30 and I have nothing but praise for it. A great scope that will compare against much more expensive scopes. I also use handloads using the Hornaday Lever Revolution 160 gr bullets and the effective range of the 30-30 is vastly extended.
 
Thanks guys, i have a good starting point here. I'm sure i can get good distance out of my 30-30, but where i hunt, i honestly doubt i could ever get off a clean 75 yard shot, so dialing it in at 300 yards, while nice, is not necessary for my purposes...although it would be cool :)

I must say, i'm really impressed, i posted this not an hour ago and already have 4 very helpful responses. God bless this forum and it's users!
 
well, i hunted with a straight 4 power scope on my 30-30 for about 5 years. then i bought a 3-9x32 bushnell sportveiw. it was an inexpensive scope, but that long ago, even inexpensive scopes were built decently. it has been in service since about 1981, with thousands and thousands of rounds through it. also, i tried a 4-12x44 on my 45-70, thinking because my eyes are getting bad, i could use the extra magnification. it worked great for target shooting. but 1 hour into the first hunt, i walked back to the truck and took it off! a 4-12 is fine for longer distance shooting, but for the woods of michingan, it is WAY TO MUCH! i put a 2-7x32 scope on the 45/70. that is a lot better choice here. i can shoot through the scope at 15 yards, all the way out to 200. and your not going to find a lot of shots in michigan that are over 200 yards.
 
Until this week I would have recommended a Bushnell but after they shoddy customer service received from their repair center I will never buy nor recommend one of their scopes. I sent one in for a sticking dial and a broken plastic screw and I get an e-mail from them telling me that they can't fix my scope but will sell me a new Banner for $74.00. I e-mailed them back and told them there was nothing wrong with my scope that would require replacement and if there was, why wouldn't it be covered under the lifetime warranty. They said the tube was bent and that voided the warranty. BS. The scope was working just fine and I only took it off one of my guns because they said they could fix the adjustment knob and replace the plastic screw. Buy Nikon, Weaver, Leupold, Burris, anything but Bushnell.
 
Completely agree on the Weaver 4X and the Nitrex. If you want another option, you could check out the Vortex Viper 2-7 at SWFA.
A couple years ago I mounted a scope on a friend's 336, using a Leupold Rifleman base and rings. They're aluminum (so they don't weigh much,) and they don't cost much, but I sure couldn't see anything wrong with them, and he hasn't had any problems.
 
Don't write off a vintage Weaver. The steel tubed, high gloss blue K-4's from the 50's & 60's are perfect asthetic matches for your Marlin. they are also VERY high quality, with terrific glass unless your really get to close to dark. Put them in some matching high-gloss Weaver Top-Mount rings & your Marlin will be stylin'. I have seen very good examples on GB within your budget.
 
The key to keeping a carbine balanced is to not over scope it.
To that end I placed a Burris Timberline 2x7x26 scope on my 336 mounted on a Weaver base and low Millet Angle-Loc rings.
This scope is very short,very light,and has very good clarity and I paid $169.00 for it.
Perfect set up on my Marlin and keeps the rifle very balanced.
 
Keep it simple and go with either a fixed Leupold 4x33 or Weaver 4x36. A 4x power scope offers plenty of magnification for .30-30 ranges.

I got this cat at 177 yards with an old (high quality) Bushnell 4x36. Bushnell doesn't make them like this anymore.
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Your gonna get hammered here with opinions...lol....Here's mine. I put a Redfield 2-7 like Abel said. You can find it for 139.00 with the accu. Get some low mount rings and a Weaver base....made in USA....lifetime warrentee....hard to beat.
 
I am using a Nikon 4x32 rimfire scope on mine, my brother has a compact 2-7x Leupold on his. Both are satisfactory and provide good eye relief. The Nikon was $110, Leupold was over $200, but his was bought 20 yrs. ago, the Nikon, 2.
 
The Redfield is a good scope for the money. It only comes in the matte finish though. I just got one yesterday for my BP rifle.

I have a 35 year old Bushnell 4x scope on mine now. I might put one of the Redfields on it.

I would use the Talley mounting system. The rings and bases are a one piece unit, front and back set.
 
If your shots will be within 125 yds - a fixed power scope has some advantages. One being less moving parts to get out whack. Old steel tube Weavers are good scopes. See if you can find one marked "Micro-Trac" as that was their advances bearing system and it worked very well.

The Nikons are light, bright and pretty tough. The Nitrex may be a good deal? There are other options. Question is how close to dusk an dawn do you hunt?
 
Just remember, you can always keep a variable at 4x if you want, but you can't change the power on a fixed.

I just put an old Redfield (circa 70's) 2-7x on my 336. Gonna take it on a black bear hunt this fall.

My friend has a Leupold VX-R on his .308 for the same trip. Has an illuminated reticle. Nice for a black target at dusk.

If you're in deep timber, clarity of the glass and size of the objective help a lot. I have a 4x12x50 Burris Black Diamond that I can see geese on our lake in the moonlight at 400 yards. The worse the conditions (dark, etc.) the better the scope needs to be.

I REALLY suggest getting Butler Creek caps for both ends. That's what military sniper types use, for a reason. I have them on all my scopes. Keeps rains, snow, dirt, etc off.
 
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