Bought a new Ruger/Marlin 1895 .45-70. Love it but was not getting the accuracy I expected. I began to suspect that my eyes weren't compatible with the open buckhorn sights. Then I read an article stating that there was a "special place in hell" for anyone who would put a scope on a lever rifle. Well. I had a small Burris 1x-4x handy so I did it anyway. It looks good, does not change the balance of the rifle and now I'm getting fine accuracy. No longer worrying about my "special place" either. Others out there who stooped so low as to scope their lever gun? My old Winchester 94 top-ejects so no scope there, but otherwise this works for me.
Scoping a lever rifle
- Thread starter wgp
- Start date
Bazoo
Member
I prefer leverguns without scopes. That said, yes, I'll scope one. I generally prefer Winchesters that aren't scopable, but for a Marlin, the option is nice. I always thought the old Weaver K2.5 or K3 scopes were classy for a levergun.
Lefty38-55
Member
To me, it's all about 'vision'. Sure, I'd love nothing more than to tote around the LG with a Lyman aperture 'peep' sight on the rear, maybe setup as a ghost ring, with a nice hunting blade (brass bead?) up front ... but if you can't see ... you can't see! I myself would rather see you hunting and still shootin' along with us!
So go for it! Great choice too for the low power variable scope (LPVS)!
So go for it! Great choice too for the low power variable scope (LPVS)!
entropy
Member
The Marlins actually look good scoped, and are the easiest to scope, as they have solid topped receivers.
Chuck R.
Member
I just went through the same decision with a 7600 I just put together.
IMHO Function over form everyday and twice during deer season. A LPVO or RDS are much faster for me to use.
IMHO Function over form everyday and twice during deer season. A LPVO or RDS are much faster for me to use.
.45Coltguy
Member
Have scopes on all my levers, except my 39A. Can't hit what I can't see. And yes, those older Weaver 1-3's are it. The one's made in Japan.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
@wgp your going to get a lot of “Lever guns shouldn’t have scopes”. That’s fine. They can leave them without. What’s most important is how you shoot with and without them and what YOU are most comfortable with. Your confidence is what matters, not their feelings.
I have some recommendations for what not to do:
1. No see through scope mounts. If you want the iron sights as backups use a quick detachable- returns to zero scope mount.
2. Try to stay as low profile as you can without modifying the gun by removing the rear sight.
3. Don’t buy a cheap scope. Simmons, Tasco and some Chinese scope I tried have all let me down on lever guns. Your range is about 100 yards. You don’t really need (unless you want one) a high power scope. As @Chuck R. said. Look at an LVPO (low power variable optic) or perhaps a Scout Scope set up.
Have fun
I have some recommendations for what not to do:
1. No see through scope mounts. If you want the iron sights as backups use a quick detachable- returns to zero scope mount.
2. Try to stay as low profile as you can without modifying the gun by removing the rear sight.
3. Don’t buy a cheap scope. Simmons, Tasco and some Chinese scope I tried have all let me down on lever guns. Your range is about 100 yards. You don’t really need (unless you want one) a high power scope. As @Chuck R. said. Look at an LVPO (low power variable optic) or perhaps a Scout Scope set up.
Have fun
Well, open sights are so darn hard to see in a dark hunting shack and at first light and dark days. For me
MarshallDodge
Member
No judgment from me 
I can still see well enough to use iron sights on my lever guns but I do have optics on my bolt guns and ARs.
I can still see well enough to use iron sights on my lever guns but I do have optics on my bolt guns and ARs.
I don't have a problem with the right scope on a lever action, they do everything better. A small 1-4X is the way to go if you're going to do so. On 1X you can get on target faster than with irons and just as fast as with a dot sight. And 4X is more than enough magnification for the ranges you'll be shooting a lever gun.
Depending on the mounts you add 1/2 to 1 pound to the weight, but the positives outweigh the negatives.
Depending on the mounts you add 1/2 to 1 pound to the weight, but the positives outweigh the negatives.
Nature Boy
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 8,256
The “special place” should be reserved for authors of articles like that.
Scope that bad boy and see what you’re aiming at. I used to hunt with an iron sighted lever gun but like you, my age requires some assistance.
For instance, this was 140 yards with my lever gun
Too young
That’s a shooter
Jeff62
Member
I have a set of Skinner peep sights on my Henry 45/70 and a Lyman peep on my Winchester 94 30/30. My close focal point has changed gradually these past years and I find myself concentrating to place the front sight on rifle and handgun. In lowlight I’m pretty much SOL. When the time comes I will not hesitate to bolt on a low power scope or one of the cool dot sights. Just the way it is.
Scope it baby scope it! I need a scope and I do not care. Appropriate scopes look fine and work fine on lever guns. Try to stick with 1-4X25 scopes with one inch tubes. I also try to use Warne QR rings so I can pull the scope for scabbard duty in my Jeep.
Looks very sensible. What I really like is your work bench looks busy like mine at home. At work I have several like that. Never let an open flat surface go to waist.
Like this?
A 1973 Marlin 336 Texan.
A lever gun is a terrible thing to allow to go to waste, put a scope on it.
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dieselchief
Member
lol, 1-3 on my waters, 4x on the bee, 2-7 on the 30 30.
Doug444
Member
Well, my avatar kind of says how I feel. 
I have a couple .22's w/o scopes, but that may change as I get older.
I have a couple .22's w/o scopes, but that may change as I get older.
dobedo
Member
.45Coltguy
Member
That an old Weaver of some sort there? Old school!Like this?
A 1973 Marlin 336 Texan.
A lever gun is a terrible thing to allow to go to waste, put a scope on it.
Life is too short to worry about what others think about YOUR GUN. If you shoot better with optics, more power to you. I have a scope on my revolver. I don't always use the scope but it does shoot better at 25 yards than without it.
