Scope for Marlin 336?

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Guyon

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Right now, I have a Simmons 3-9x40 on Weaver see-through rings on this gun. Honestly, despite all the criticism I've read about the see-throughs, this scope, on this base and these rings, has shown an amazing ability to hold its zero. However, I've never really liked having to crane my neck up to see through the scope, so I'm thinking about a change.

I see this lever gun primarily as a brush rifle for deer hunting--for short to medium length shots up to 150 yards. And so I think I have too much scope on it right now.

Have looked at a couple of similar models the past few days:
Leupold VXII 2-7x33 (List price of $299)
Nikon ProStaff 2-7x32 (List price of $129)

I'm sure I can find both scopes a little cheaper. The Leupold is the tried and true model, of course. Don't know much about the Nikon, other than it was amazingly clear in the store. Have no idea how well it adjusts or how it holds zero. The sales clerk said the Nikon has a 25 year warranty.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I really want to downsize the scope a bit, but around $250 to $300 is about all I really would like to spend.
 
:what:

Scope on a lever action?

Why not try a XS Ghost ring rear sight? It would be cheaper, handier, and results out to 150 yards would be very good.

I'm not slamming your choice to scope your Marlin, I just think that a brush gun should have Iron sights. YMMV.
 
IMO, 3x9 *is* too much scope for a 30-30. I have a similar issue with a number of rifles of mine, and the big annoyance for me is that it costs MORE to get less, i.e. a 2-7x32 costs MORE in most any brand that its 3-9x40 counterpart.

In general, I like the Sightrons and the Nikon Monarchs and VXII's. I also find that MidwayUSA has better prices on these sorts of optics than just about anyone else.
 
Skofnung: Question of ethics mainly. You may be dead-eye dick with your .30-30 and iron sights. But for me, faced with a longish shot with my rifle, I want to be certain I'll put the bullet where I'm aiming. Better for me. Better for the deer.
 
Where would one get the XS ghost ring rear sight? I too have a Marlin with a 3x9x40. Have yet to hunt with it with the scope. Maybe this year. :eek:
 
skynyrd1911: I've hunted with my Marlin with the 3-9x40. Out of my three hunting rifles, however, it's the only one I haven't take a deer with.

Nothing to do with the scope, really. Just never been lucky enough to see a good deer when using that rifle. Still, it doesn't balance well with the larger scope and just seems top-heavy.

I've thought about a fixed 4x. It's what I use on my .50 caliber muzzle-loader (no flames from the "traditionalists," please), and it works just fine.
 
Get a low-powered scope(no more than 4X) and mount it low on the receiver. Forget that see-through nonsense. JMO
 
Personally, I use a receiver sight and fiber optic front on most of my LAs including my 336 in .35 Rem.

With my impending Geezerhood, and bifocals, the XS Scout mount is looking like a good compromise for getting the advantages of optics without having to give up the secure balance-point carry that makes an LA so handy slogging about in the tules.

With an IER scope of no more than 4X, and being able to keep my current irons as well, I'd be set. It sits low enough that one shouldn't have to adapt their accustomed style to use it, and is made so that the receiver sight is still zeroed and ready to go should the optics be damaged.
 
Here's another vote, if one must have a scope, for a fixed 4X. Keep it simple. I, on the other hand, am another who prefers apertures- reciever or tang mounted.

See-throughs or low mount; goes to personal preference. I like see-throughs. Others don't. Mileage will vary.
 
Skofnung: Question of ethics mainly. You may be dead-eye dick with your .30-30 and iron sights. But for me, faced with a longish shot with my rifle, I want to be certain I'll put the bullet where I'm aiming. Better for me. Better for the deer.
Click to expand...

Understood.

In that case, how about this setup: Leupold VX-II 2-7 on quick detach rings with the buckhorns left on in case the scope takes a dump in the field?
 
If it were me, I'd go with either a 1X4, 1.5X5, 1.75X6 or a straight 2.5X or 4X scope
Click to expand...

+1. And good idea on lowering the scope. My 1895 in .45-70 wears a cheapie Bushnell Trophy 1.5-4x32mm right now - it works well. The 2-7 would be a good call as well however. Why not get the VX-1 Leupold in 2-7? I mean all things being equal, yes, get that VX-2 if you can afford it. But the VX1 is less money and better than the Prostaff (what I mean is, not less than the prostaff, but less than the vx-2 but better - though more $ - than the prostaff). FWIW, I have 3 different 2-7s on various hunting rifles - you can get them pretty low with the 32mm objective. So I'm a fan of 2-7s.
 
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My Marlin 30A (same basic style as 336, with different wood) wears a Tasco 4x32. My 50+ year old tri-focused eyes need a lot of help.
 
Okay first, exactly what does "+1" mean? It's appeared twice in posts in this thread. I assume it's a kind of affirmative, but I wonder where it comes from.

Checking out the Leupold website, I see that they're offering a new line of fixed scopes that includes 4x33. Might be a good option, but man, it's pretty expensive for a fixed scope. Midsouth Shooters lists it for $269. That's almost as much as the VXII in 2-7x33 ($299). Wow.

You know, GunGoBoom, the VX-1 *is* worth a look. I see now that they've upgraded the line and are multi-coating the lenses. For $179, the 2-7x33 looks like a pretty good deal. I'd likely leave it on 3x or 4x all the time, but I kind of like the idea of having the ability to "zoom in," so to speak.

Skofnung: I've never fooled with the QR rings or talked to anyone about them. How reliable are they in terms of keeping a zero?
 
I sell that very same Leupold FXII for $240.00. The VXII Ultra-Lite in 2.5X20 for $250. This is a very good scope and only weighs just over 6 oz. The VXII 2X7X33 with either the wide duplex or duplex for $265.00. Prices on the VXI series would be about the same as other dealers/retail outlets on the internet due too the fact that there is a much smaller markup margin in these products. Many other good scope out there like the Sightrons, Nikons and Burris products available. Some of these are just as good as a Leupold if not better. The Bushnell Elite 3200 series are also worthy of consideration.
 
I've never fooled with the QR rings or talked to anyone about them. How reliable are they in terms of keeping a zero?
Click to expand...

I've got Leupold QRW rings on my 336 in case the scope craps out I can go to the ghost rings. I've only taken the scope off a few times but it has always been right on zero when I put it back on.

I've also got them on my buckmark rifle because you have to take the scope off to clean the thing ( :cuss: ). I have taken that one on and off probably 50 times and it is always dead on when I replace the scope.

I'd prefer to just set my rings and never have to touch them again, but in certain cases the QR rings are really handy. They seem to work as intended.
 
My 336 had an old Weaver 4x on it that was dead on accurate until it got jolted one to many times in the back of my grandfathers truck. He had it for 20+ yrs and it held the zero until it was dented near the front lens bad enough to throw the focus off.

I have since ditched it and will replace it with another Weaver 4x or a Nikon 2-7. I am still deciding which. Leupold makes damn good glasses, but you pay as much for the name as the quality.
 
I'd mount a Leupold Scout scope on an XS Sight Systems base; that's what I did with my 1894. If not that, I'd go with a Burris 4X.
 
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