What kind of Scope for a Marlin .30-30?

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MikePGS

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After some thought (and as usual great help from my fellow THRer's) I'm pretty sure I'm going to be getting a Marlin 336(not sure which one exactly yet) to hunt deer with. I live in Michigan, and the area I went to hunt before was pretty heavily wooded. So probably a 1x- whatever scope would be best, but I honestly don't know much at all about scopes. Also is a peep sight something worth looking into, or would optics be the best solution? I think at the most a shot would be 150 yards, but even that sounds kind of far for the thickness of the area I'll probably be hunting. Also can you use red dot scopes on rifles? (Yeah i really don't know that much even) If so, are they worth looking into?
 
Hi Mike...

As I said in your other thread I would opt for a Williasms aperture sight (the 5D model) but if you want to try a RedDot sight this one should be good...

http://www.swfa.com/pc-10716-1529-millett-1x-sp-1-electronic-red-dot-sight.aspx

An advantage the RedDot style sights have over scopes is that they don't interfere with carrying the Marlins at the natural balance point whereas even a 1x scope will.

What ever RedDot sight you get make sure the dot is no more than 3MOA. Also, make sure you take extra batteries because if you forget to turn it off at the end of the day it will be dead by morning. (Don't ask how I know that:D).

Good Luck !
:cool:
 
Ahh thanks again for the advice Shawnee. I remember seeing a thread you made about Low-Power Scopes but couldn't find it, (Plus i wanted a 336 specific choice) so I made this one.
 
Hi Mike...

Here's the "Low-Power Scope" thread link...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=402437


The same website that has the Millet RedDot has Swift scopes and they have a low-power model for about $100. I haven't tried Swift scopes but have been using a pair of their binoculars for 7 or 8 years and they are fine. A few others here have said good things about Swift scopes too.

:cool:
 
There is no "336 specific" sight or scope, as such.

At deep woods ranges, you would be hard put to find a better hunting sight than a peep. Just don't try to use the screw-in target apature to hunt, you don't need it. The small hole will reduce the amount of light and a single drop of rain can plug it.

If your eyes need more help, as mine now do, you want a scope. Any of the lowest power fixed or variables will do nicely for snap shooting in woods. But, DON'T use those god-awful "see through" mounts that you can only see your scope through if you hold your head up like an alert turkey! They are clumsy and slow to use, and if you have a decent scope you won't need it.

I have an old Redfield Widefield 1 3/4-5x, held in Leupold super-low QR rings and mounts on mine. Love it.
 
i have a bsa catseye great scope at a great value like 80 or 90 bucks its got a life time warrenty and it 1.5-4.5x great scope
 
There is a 3 x 9 x40 scope on my Marlin. But that's because it was there when I bought it. However it's never been turned any higher then 3x when I'm hunting with it. And it does throw the balance off. I'd say go with something lighter, like a peep sight, unless you hunt at low light levels a lot.
 
I went with a Leupold FXII Ultralight wide duplex. Super compact about 7 oz, brilliant optics and fits the rifle (336 & 1894) perfectly. Wide duplex rocks for me.

$240 shipped from optics planet (haggled price)

Be safe

Patty
 
There is no "336 specific" sight or scope, as such.
Click to expand...

That's not strictly true. Cabela's sells one. It also has tick marks for bullet drop, with LE ammo.

That said, I'd say go with something light and short, as others have said. The main point of a lever gun, apart from just the warm fuzzies, is its handling, IMHO.
 
Scope

Cabelas has them on sale in the Cave or in the main store that works with the Hornady 160gr Revolution ammo my buddy just picked one up for like 60 bucks and its a 3-9x 40 variable power.
 
Depends on the budget....what's your budget?

Forget red dots. If you have $200 to spend, start by looking at the Leupold VX1, 1-4x20mm with heavy duplex reticle. Good choice if your max shot range would be 50 yards, give or take. If you have more or less than that to spend, let me know and I'll re-recommend. The Bushnell Elite 3200 in 2-7x32mm config is a pretty good somewhat-budgetish scope which would suit your purposes as well. Also in the same price range is the Burris Fullfield II, 1.75-5x20mm - also a good scope. You can get better though if you "up" your budget.
 
I hunted with the Williams 5D-336 aperture for brushy close work and found it fine, mostly, except for very low light. Tried it open and with the twilight aperture in the pre-dawn grey and couldn't keep the front post from melting into the background, not enough contrast for my eyes. Tried different front bead and post types, but didn't work for me. It may for you, if you have better vision. I would consider an aperture setup perfect for what the OP is describing, very quick and keeps the rifle with the good balance.

I've had to compromise and go with a scope. I hear very good things about the Leupold M8's, I went budget conscious and have Weaver's. The V3 1-3x20mm and the K2.5 2.5x20mm are on my levers. Low rings in two piece bases keeps the handling fairly quick. I get a good sight picture in the dark stuff before and after legal shooting times with them.
 
I have a 1.75-5x32 Bushnell on my Marlin 336 35 Rem. I can put 3 in the same hole at 60 yards in my backyard shooting my handloads. The regular 9 day deer season starts here in Wisconsin on Nov 22. I am ready.........:)
 
I've got a Leupold Rifleman 2-7x33 on my 336. Works great. 2 power is great for walking and can turn it up for longer shots, though not necessary.
 
depends on how good your eyesight is; most lever action combos get topped with a 3 - 9 magnification scope; we top our bolt actions with 3 - 9 magnification scopes most of the time...why would it be different with a .30-30 lever gun?!? the old reliable ammo is good out to 100 yards & the LeverEvolution stuff extends this another 50 to 75 yards...perfect ranges to use a 3 - 9 magnification scope
 
I have the 20mm objective scopes on my Marlins for a couple of reasons. I've always felt that a 32mm or 40mm objective bell that requires medium height rings that bring the scope up causes a crummy and inconsistent cheek weld, especially on straight stock designs the geometry doesn't work for me. I also feel that a heavier, longer and higher mounted scope kacks the handling of a levergun and makes it less balanced and more unwieldy. I do a lot of stalk and scoot hunting in brush and scrub, easy handling and a quick consistent sight picture are important to me in those conditions.

But hey, that's just me.
 
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