Wanting to scope one of my rifles

Which rifle to scope

  • AR 15

    Votes: 33 75.0%

  • Marlin 30-30

    Votes: 3 6.8%

  • Neither (post rationale please)

    Votes: 7 15.9%

  • Both ASAP

    Votes: 3 6.8%
  • Total voters
    44
  • Poll closed .
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Brett Byers AKA Slow

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I would like to scope one or more of my rifles. I have a Marlin 30-30 and an AR15. I could scope both eventually but I am curious which one would the Highroader's scope first. Both would be used for hunting and defense. Maximum range I would be shooting at would be 500 yards. I believe this would be the maximum effective range of my rifles given the calibers and barrel twist. I would appreciate scope brands and dimensions recommendations as well.
 
Every time someone scopes a lever action a kitten dies...........

They just handle so better without a scope..Plus your getting nowhere near 500 yards with 30-30.....
 
How are your eyes? What are you shooting?
I have scopes on all of my rifles... otherwise I would not even group 12" at 25 yards..... (Even my levers).
You will have to make the call, sorry.

Lateck,
 
You want to shoot that far scope the AR. Use a low power variable. Out to 400 or so even 4x is enough to get solid hits.
 
ar15. They have rails on them for a reason, and scopes take to them quite nicely. Not that you can't scope a lever action, or that it would in any way be bad, but I think you'll be better off scoping an ar15 first.
 
chromerunner said:
Every time someone scopes a lever action a kitten dies...........

They just handle so better without a scope..Plus your getting nowhere near 500 yards with 30-30.....
Click to expand...
Agreed regarding lever rifles.

I wouldn't scope the AR either. AR15s have amazing (IMO) iron sights - my favorite type hands down.

My advice: A scope would be of no benefit to you. Wait for a bolt action rifle. No rush.
 
I'd scope the AR for those precise distant shots on game.... I'd mount a Nikon p223 on a m-223 mount. Total cost $300 ImageUploadedByTapatalk1338968739.733654.jpg
 
AR all the way....the 30-30 is NOT known to be a long-distance round, and I personally have no use for scopes on such rifles. I had a Redfield Revolution scope in 2-x7x33 that seems to be about perfect for my AR needs
 
It honestly depends on how you see iron sights. Personally i would scope the 30-30 because i cant focus irons well enough to be comfortable shooting a larg game animal over 50yds without perfect lighting. The peep and post used on ars is much better then the buckhorns on a 336, that said i would still scope the ar with a low power variable.
 
I would scope both. If I use a rifle for hunting, it gets a scope. I am not one of these people who thinks that a scope is a bad idea on a lever action. My favorite deer rifle is a 30-30 Marlin with a 2-7x32mm Nikon. If scoping a lever action results in kittens dying, order me seven more please. :)
 
If I have a rifle that is for big game hunting in close range, I tend to stay with iron sights as opposed to scoping it. For "brush-hunting" (say, out to about 40 yards or less), I am quite capable of landing a good shot with iron sights. Too close, and in my opinion, the scope is just one more thing to deal with.

Also, for any rifle with recoil, I will not purchase any scope unless it is a Leupold and unless the scope, with mount and rings is in the $400 - $600 range. So, that plays into whether I will scope a gun or not.

My days of buying inexpensive scopes and not being able to get any kind of consistent groups out of them are over. I am of the opinion, you get what you pay for.

The only time I will consider a lesser expensive scope is on a .22 rimfire rifle where there is virtually no recoil.
 
I would not scope a firearm that is to be used for defense. Unless you're going to try to justify defending yourself from an assailant at scope distance, a scope just gets in the way.
 
best of both worlds for the 30-30, scope with quick detaches, and sneek a peep sight in with the Williams Ace in the Hole Mount.
2012-05-26_15-02-04_890.jpg

1x4 vortex
 
Scope them all if it suits you. Why do you ask us what you should scope though. I have had several lever actions scoped as it aids in hitting better. If you cannot see it well you ought not shoot.
 
Neither, definitely not the lever and I like iron sights on an AR too.
 
Scope the AR.
My first thought was a 2.5-10X50 with illuminated reticule, but I can't think of one.
Maybe the Weaver Tactical 3-15X50 or the Burris 1.5-6X40.
 
I scoped both of mine. Once your eyes start getting a little old, you shoot a lot better with optics.
 
Is the AR's upper a flat top?

If it has a fixed carry handle, I'd pass on scoping it. The sight-axis gets too high and cheek weld becomes non-existent.
 
^^ this. exactly this.
Lyman 66 or one of the Williams are also a good choice for lever action peep sights. extends the sight radius on the 30-30 AND provides a rear aperature closer to the eye, both of which serve to increase the shootability of the lever gun amazingly (imo) without adding bulk or spoiling the lines/ balance.

if the AR has a flat top rail, scope that. of the 2 rifles, it's the one better suited to long-range shooting. if it has a non-removable carry handle, scoping for long range might be ok, but your paralax error increases as your zeroing range decreases.
 
If you want to use them for Home Defense you are better off without scopes unless they are 1x. Never scope a lever action...I like kittens.
 
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