336CS Scope

T

txray22

New member
Picked up a 336CS at the gun show and the grandson wants to hunt with it. I'm not a scope guy so what would you recommend for a scope on this rifle.
It's a JM stamped 30.30.
 
A fixed power (4x) or variable (3x9) 40mm from Bushnell or Weaver should work fine. I have an old Weaver 4X that has held up for 40 years.
 
I find 4X to be too much magnification and a handicap at 30-30 ranges. A 1-3X, 1-4X or 1.5-4X would be ideal and used mostly on the lowest magnification. For those rare times when a long shot is needed you have the option to go up to 4X. I've killed deer at 200 yards with 2.5X scopes and a deer at 30 yards is hard to find in a 4X scope.

There are more options for 2-7X scopes and at better prices. I really like the option of being able to go below 2X, but if on a tight budget there are more 2-7X options.

Some good options:

https://swfa.com/redfield-2-7x33-revolution-rifle-scope.html
https://swfa.com/weaver-1-3x20-classic-v-rifle-scope.html
https://swfa.com/burris-2-7x35-fullfield-ii-rifle-scope-102806.html
https://swfa.com/leupold-15-4x20-vx-freedom-riflescope-178471.html
 
I've got a Leupold VX1 2-7x33 on my 336, mounted on a Weaver 63B rail with low profile Leupold QRW rings. I happen to like this setup. The rail has a "groove" running the length of it that allows the use of the stock irons should I happen to need to take the scope off. It makes for a usable "Plan B" should anything happen to the scope. Of course, the QRW rings are quick release, they don't even need a tool for removal, and are plenty repeatable enough for use on a .30-30.
 
My classic "woods" scope is the old Weaver (JC Higgins) 2.5x with the Post reticle. Fast, its like looking at the font sight. Not a commonly found reticle today, but its done good work for me on several different woods rifles, from the 336 30-30 through the 1895 .45-70, and on Remington 600 carbines in .308 as well.

If its going to be a stalking rifle, the scope needs to be fairly low powered, wide field of view and not so large as to make the rifle top heavy.

If its going to be a stand rifle, then the scope can be whatever you want and a 3-9x isn't a big drawback. Some people even mount "moon scopes" on 30-30s for stand hunting, a scope with a very large objective lens (necessitating a high mount), to draw in every bit of available light for accuracy in the first and last minutes of legal shooting light. From a stand, the need for snap shooting is low, so a more awkward setup can be very effective, even if a bit slower to get on target.

A low range variable with a wide field of view is a good general purpose scope on a .30-30.
 
It's not going to be a popular choice, but I mounted a Simmons 8 point 3-9x on my son's 35 Remington 336. It's mounted on see through rings to preserve the use of irons for close up targets. Its worked so far and didn't cost much.
 
This is also not going to be a popular choice but I went with a 1.5x ACOG with an amber cross-hair on my 336 30-30.

The tritium is almost dead in the ACOG as it is over 15 years old but the fiber optics and glass are just fine on the 50 year old rifle. It's very quick to get on target and it seems to make it much easier for me to hit a steel plate at 100 yards.

My daughter shot the 336 today for the first time shooting a lever and did well.
 
I'm a big fan of this Bushnell scope featuring 1.5 to 4.5X settings. It's named Dusk to Dawn model. You'll find this scope for less than $90. on line. Photo shows this Bushnell scope mounted upon my RUGER 96 in 44 MAG.

Jack

 
I would suggest you hunt up a Weaver 63a or Leupold one piece mount because they're longer than the 63b if you don't already have a mount. As for scopes it's up to you. I have mounted 3x9 scopes on 4 lever rifles. And as another mentioned I do like the Simmons 8 point 3-9x for a budget scope. A few years back they ran a promo of $20-30 off a $50 scope.
 
Another vote for the Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn.
I have the 1-4x32 on both my 336 and my Ruger 77/357. I personally have become very fornd of the "circle-x" sight.
Be sure and check the Bushnell web site if you purchase anything from Bushnell. I got 30% rebate from the web site on each one.
 
My preference would be a 2-7x. And my preference for brand would be Leupold if you have the cash to swing it, or Redfield, if more in the 'budget' category.
I do like the idea of a 1.5-Something. But I find 2x to be close enough to 1.5x, and I do like being able to use 7x for certain shots.
Leupold used to make a 1.5-8x. That would be pretty decent, but I don't know if it's still available.


bedlamite brings up a good point, though: Marlin lever gun stocks, other than the '65-'73 Model 444s, don't have the right comb for scope use. The comb is way too low, which precludes a proper cheek weld - unless you have an abnormally large head - and makes scope use less than ideal.
The best way to run a scoped 336 is to restock it with a higher comb.
 
Weaver K2 I think this one is:



On my beautiful new 336S I have a Leupold 3x7X33 and it takes advantage of it very nicely with the Hornady LR ammo at over 200 yards:



The 336S has Warne QR scope mounts that do in fact return to zero so I can shoot open sights if I wish in deep brush.

3C
 
I have two old Marlin 336s; one open sighted (vintage '53 with a straight stock), the other one ('64 vintage) has an older Leupold 4X compact on it. Love shooting both of them, and both are very accurate. Just can't beat a Leupold on any hunting rifle. The compact model scope looks very cool on the old lever gun, too.
 
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