I am considering mounting a scope on my Marlin 336. What is a good and reliable scope for this rifle in the $150.00 price range or less? Also is it best to place a picatiny rail on first and then the sight mounts? Thinking of putting a cantilever mount for better eye relief. Thanks for suggestions
Best scope and scope mount for Marlin 336?
- Thread starter DavidB2
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Jack O'Conner
New member
My older Glenfield 30-30 wears a Simmons 2X to 8X scope with Millett mounts.
Jack
Jack
I think a 1-4X20 scope is near ideal for any lever action with a 2-7X32 a distant 2nd place finisher. There is absolutely no need for more magnification. The 1-4X or similar scopes are very light, compact and look and balance well on these guns.
I'd use conventional mounts of my choice. Weaver, or Weaver style work just fine along with either Weaver or Burris rings would be my choice. The low powered scopes have generous eye relief allowing you to mount them forward in conventional mounts.
There isn't anything $150 and under I'd recommend. There are lots of $200 options and it will be well worth $50 more in the long run.
I'd buy this
http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-ShotgunMuzzleloader-Scope-P51851.aspx
I'd use conventional mounts of my choice. Weaver, or Weaver style work just fine along with either Weaver or Burris rings would be my choice. The low powered scopes have generous eye relief allowing you to mount them forward in conventional mounts.
There isn't anything $150 and under I'd recommend. There are lots of $200 options and it will be well worth $50 more in the long run.
I'd buy this
http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-1-ShotgunMuzzleloader-Scope-P51851.aspx
math teacher
New member
I second JMR40's suggestion. I put a 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 power scope on my Marlin 336 years ago and it both looks and handles right. There is no advantage to more than 4 power on that rifle and the bottom power makes it quick handling in heavy cover.
I also think the Burris Fullfield II 2-7x35 is a very good good scope for $150. It can be mounted in low rings and weighs right around 12 ounces.
I agree that a 1-4x20 scope would be nice as well, but Leupold seems to be about the only company that currently makes a lightweight versions or them and they will run at least $200 (tactical models from other companies add unnecessary bulk and expense without adding any benefits for use on a .30-30).
I have a compact Leupold, and, while I like the small size, the optics on the Burris 2-7x35 are noticeable better to my eye.
I agree that a 1-4x20 scope would be nice as well, but Leupold seems to be about the only company that currently makes a lightweight versions or them and they will run at least $200 (tactical models from other companies add unnecessary bulk and expense without adding any benefits for use on a .30-30).
I have a compact Leupold, and, while I like the small size, the optics on the Burris 2-7x35 are noticeable better to my eye.
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I favor the old Weaver scopes, had a k3 on a Marlin .45-70, use 2.5x Post reticle scopes on Rem 600 carbine .308 Win for woods hunting.
I never bothered to scope the 336 .30-30, but if I did, it would be an old Weaver (or JC Higgins
) 2.5x Post in weaver mounts & rings. Might not look the best, but are solid, rugged, and dependable.
As to scopes, you might try haunting the gun shows and pawn shops for used ones, to meet your price point. Decent new ones have pretty much moved above that.
Also, a word about variables. I do like them and use them, but if you put one on a woods rifle, where a snap shot is a likely possibility, you will, at some point find the scope on its highest setting when you want & need it on low power. If you make a strong habit of checking the scope setting Every time you pick up the gun, it will help, but Murphy lives and never takes a day off, so a variable with a high power end (7x+) is a poor choice for a woods rifle, unless you constantly check it.
I never bothered to scope the 336 .30-30, but if I did, it would be an old Weaver (or JC Higgins
) 2.5x Post in weaver mounts & rings. Might not look the best, but are solid, rugged, and dependable.As to scopes, you might try haunting the gun shows and pawn shops for used ones, to meet your price point. Decent new ones have pretty much moved above that.
Also, a word about variables. I do like them and use them, but if you put one on a woods rifle, where a snap shot is a likely possibility, you will, at some point find the scope on its highest setting when you want & need it on low power. If you make a strong habit of checking the scope setting Every time you pick up the gun, it will help, but Murphy lives and never takes a day off, so a variable with a high power end (7x+) is a poor choice for a woods rifle, unless you constantly check it.
Greg_Mid_TN
Inactive
There is an option
I have a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7 BDC reticle scope on my 336. I upped the power from 1-4 due to the new Leverevolution rounds and their increased range.
Good hunting!
I have a Vortex Crossfire II 2-7 BDC reticle scope on my 336. I upped the power from 1-4 due to the new Leverevolution rounds and their increased range.
Good hunting!
A pause for the COZ
New member
I see no reason to go crazy. Its a 30-30 for gosh sakes.
I have had very good luck with the Banner 1.5x4 on my 30-30's. ( not the Wall Mart one though)
Very good scope for the money.
If your feeling old school. find a old 4x weaver on Ebay. Stick that on there.
They work too.
Ether one will give you all the performance you need with in the capabilities of the fire arm.
I have had very good luck with the Banner 1.5x4 on my 30-30's. ( not the Wall Mart one though)
Very good scope for the money.
If your feeling old school. find a old 4x weaver on Ebay. Stick that on there.
They work too.
Ether one will give you all the performance you need with in the capabilities of the fire arm.
336 mnts/scope
44Amp is on the money. The old weaver K series in 3x is hard to beat on 30/30s
and similar calibre deer rifles. I have them on several rifles and have one on a
Rem. 870 slug gun. The field of view makes it easy to pick up target in brush
or on the move. I am a firm believer in fixed power scopes. Some of mine have
had Weavers on them for 50 yrs.
44Amp is on the money. The old weaver K series in 3x is hard to beat on 30/30s
and similar calibre deer rifles. I have them on several rifles and have one on a
Rem. 870 slug gun. The field of view makes it easy to pick up target in brush
or on the move. I am a firm believer in fixed power scopes. Some of mine have
had Weavers on them for 50 yrs.
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bamaranger
New member
me
I wouldn't put a rail on a lever gun, the basic two piece bases from most any name maker will work fine, why not Weaver or something similar. I like Burris Zee rings, they are affordable, sleek and attractive, and will not detract from the classic look of your lever carbine.
The tendency these days seems to be to run a lot of scope on any rifle, at a sacrifice for handiness and portability....+1 to "it's a 30-30 for gosh sakes".
Me, I wouldn't put anything anybigger than a fixed 4x on that Marlin. I'm a Leupold guy, and you can find a ton of used Leu 4x's on Ebay for your $150 budget. I like their 1-4x variable, and the compact fixed 2.5x as well, but the AR crowd has driven the price of those tidy little scope up to the point that finding one priced right is tough. While we're at it, there are Leupold 3X's to be had as , but again, the price is about double your budget.
The old Weavers and Redfields are grand old scopes from back in the day, but getting one worked on when the seals go bad, and they will someday, is a pain. The only outfit I know of, Ironsights, out in OK, is behind something like 9 mo's or more I hear. Leupold will have anything you send tem back inside of 2 wks...bet you lunch.
I wouldn't put a rail on a lever gun, the basic two piece bases from most any name maker will work fine, why not Weaver or something similar. I like Burris Zee rings, they are affordable, sleek and attractive, and will not detract from the classic look of your lever carbine.
The tendency these days seems to be to run a lot of scope on any rifle, at a sacrifice for handiness and portability....+1 to "it's a 30-30 for gosh sakes".
Me, I wouldn't put anything anybigger than a fixed 4x on that Marlin. I'm a Leupold guy, and you can find a ton of used Leu 4x's on Ebay for your $150 budget. I like their 1-4x variable, and the compact fixed 2.5x as well, but the AR crowd has driven the price of those tidy little scope up to the point that finding one priced right is tough. While we're at it, there are Leupold 3X's to be had as , but again, the price is about double your budget.
The old Weavers and Redfields are grand old scopes from back in the day, but getting one worked on when the seals go bad, and they will someday, is a pain. The only outfit I know of, Ironsights, out in OK, is behind something like 9 mo's or more I hear. Leupold will have anything you send tem back inside of 2 wks...bet you lunch.