Peep sight for Marlin 336

[coondogger]

I'd like to put a basic Williams peep sight on my 2000 era 336. It currently has a hooded front sight and standard buckhorn at the back. Can anyone walk me through this? I'm particularly wondering whether the front sight is going to be high enough and therefore need replacement as well.

 

[catspaw]

I did the same thing a few years back and found the rifle shot high with the peep set as low as it would go so had to go with a higher front sight. It was worth it though.

 

[coondogger]

I did the same thing a few years back and found the rifle shot high with the peep set as low as it would go so had to go with a higher front sight. It was worth it though.

What kind of front sight did you use?

 

[tubeshooter]

It's been a long time, but I used a Williams WGRS for the rear and a .500" fiber optic front if I remember correctly.

The rifle had no front or rear sight so I had to buy both anyway. The rifle is from the late '70s, but I don't think that should make a difference in this case.

That seems to have worked fine. I am guessing you will almost certainly need a taller front, whatever you go with.


I usually go ahead and buy a dovetail blank if needed. I have had good experiences with Skinner sights in general, and they can supply a rear, front and blank to you also. Good luck...

 

[Russ57]

Since I'm the type to use different loads and dial and click a lot, I like the Williams FP or Lyman 66. They are on the big and bulky side (Williams WGRS is trim and small) but I have found them to be very accurate, repeatable, and rugged.

For the set and forget crowd the Skinner is a much trimmer solution.

Due to things like slight curvatures between barrels/rifles you are probably going to have to try one and see if a different front sight is needed. That said the Williams FP has been working fine with the original front sight for a lot of folks for several decades.

Hard to make a bad choice here. I'd tell you to add Ranger Point Precision to your short list also.

 

[DMW1116]

I tried Ranger Point Precision for a rear peep. It did not need a higher front sight. I switched to a Williams FP rear sight because I started shooting cast bullets and the Ranger Point didn’t go low enough. The velocity difference is about 800 fps and there was no way to fix it as it was.

 

[ms6852]

I would recommend Skinner sights, very good company. Used to be a guy there by the name of Andy who was very very helpful and helping you get set up. Give them call and see what transpires. Don't know if Andy is still there its been over 12 years since I've done business there.

Marlin

Machined from Solid Bar stock, Skinner Sights offers improved function, durability, and appearance over factory sights. Specializing in Peep Sights - Aperture sights. Check out our innovative and expanding sights, optics and accessories product lines.

skinnersights.com

 

[Steve in PA]

I bought a Henry lever action .44 Mag a few years ago. Could not get it sighted in with the buckhorn sights. Rear sight was as low as it could go and was still hitting high at 50 yards. Bought a higher front sight, still no good.

Bought the Skinner sights really didn’t like the rear peep sitting out there all by itself. Seemed to easy to bang or damage the peep. Plus the Skinner rear sight was too high, could not adjust it low enough.

Bought the Ranger Precision Sight and things look much, much better. I like the protection of the “wings”. Plus the Ranger sits lower that the Skinner. I have not taken it to the range yet, but I think the Ranger will be perfect.

 

[OS/N]

I have a gost ring on my 94 in 357 with a radio glow front post. As long as the front post is right you don't need much in back with a correct check weld.

The tight peep would be worth more on a 30-30. I don't think the williams is made out of the same material today as they were. If you can find an old used one on the bay or elsewhere it may be a little better. A lyman tang sight might be an option also but the tilt can mess you up sometimes.

 

[catspaw]

What kind of front sight did you use?

It's been 20+ years since I swapped it out and I can't remember the brand. Likely a Marbles though and it did come from Brownell's. I just measured it at 0.400" from top of bead top bottom of dovetail. The change allowed me to zero at 100 yards.

 

[Charlie98]

Oooooo... Williams sights!

I've put a bunch on... it really depends on the rifle. I swapped one of the Marlin's front sights for a FireSight... which works really, really well... but it is just too big, it obscures a bullseye target at 100yds. Some rifles I have the sight zeroed at 100yds and it's half way up through the tic marks... I think my Browning 71 is set on 9, but my .41 Marlin 1894 is on 5 at zero.

Skinner makes an over height front sight insert... the idea is to set the rear sight where you want it, and you file the front sight down until you zero.

 

[Sistema1927]

I put XS Ghost ring sights on my 336 (#2 from the bottom in this picture) as well as on my 39A (bottom). They have worked well for me.

 

[DMW1116]

Oooooo... Williams sights!

I've put a bunch on... it really depends on the rifle. I swapped one of the Marlin's front sights for a FireSight... which works really, really well... but it is just too big, it obscures a bullseye target at 100yds. Some rifles I have the sight zeroed at 100yds and it's half way up through the tic marks... I think my Browning 71 is set on 9, but my .41 Marlin 1894 is on 5 at zero.

Skinner makes an over height front sight insert... the idea is to set the rear sight where you want it, and you file the front sight down until you zero.

If you want to get a lot of of looks and answer a lot of questions, break out a file at the range. I had to do that to my Henry to zero for my preferred load. It works very well, as long as you’re SURE that is the preferred load. If I ever go back to jacketed bullets, I’ll have to do it again.

 

[Art30/30]

Love me some Williams perp sights. Have them on a few marlins and one Winchester. You will love it!! I didn’t have to change any of the front sights.

 

[Alan W]

My 70's Marlin 336 has a picatinny rail. I have a 3-9 Burris Scope with Weaver quad lock rings, and then this peep sight-
https://buckshotsupply.com/utg-sub-compact-rear-sight-for-shotguns-22-rifles-mnt-910/.
It says the sight is for 22 or shotguns but it stands up to my 30-30 well.

With a screw driver and a hex key I can switch back and forth between the peep sight or the scope, and they hold zero pretty well.

I did have to change the front side to a taller one. Think I bought it from Skinner.