Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: CP on March 01, 2017, 09:38:20 AM

Title: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: CP on March 01, 2017, 09:38:20 AM: I know it’s considered a sacrilege to some to scope a lever gun, but my eyes aren’t getting any better and the peep sight is getting harder to use. I’ve got it set up for max PBR of 200 yards (2” high @100y & 2” low at 200y). I don’t expect to ever shoot beyond 200y in a hunting situation. So what sort of optic to replace the peep? So many options to choose from these days.

I’m thinking small, lightweight, short range quick target acquisition, long range (100y plus) some magnification (not sure how much). I’d like to keep it simple, no need for a BDC or mil dot, etc.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: netcoyote on March 01, 2017, 10:40:43 AM: As a last resort before you go to optics, have you tried fiber optic front sight and an aperture sight like the "Skinner"?
http://www.skinnersights.com/3.html (http://www.skinnersights.com/3.html)
I use these on three of my Marlins and even with my aging eyes they work quite well. I do admit that they work best with a fair amount of ambient light. For low light I use a low power scope like a 1-3x20. Like this: http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/183610/weaver-classic-v-series-rifle-scope-1-3x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-matte?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics+-+Scopes+-+Under+12X-_-Weaver-_-183610&gclid=CjwKEAiA_9nFBRCsurz7y_Px8xoSJAAUqvKC9E9cuv8Qi6HM8izBoN3kvKR0_LEqsTV5bLMslmCmsRoCx2nw_wcB (http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/183610/weaver-classic-v-series-rifle-scope-1-3x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-matte?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics+-+Scopes+-+Under+12X-_-Weaver-_-183610&gclid=CjwKEAiA_9nFBRCsurz7y_Px8xoSJAAUqvKC9E9cuv8Qi6HM8izBoN3kvKR0_LEqsTV5bLMslmCmsRoCx2nw_wcB)
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: C-Money on March 01, 2017, 11:16:02 AM: I'd toss a 2x7 Leupold Rifleman on it. Should not need something super spendy...thats what I would look for..
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: JDHasty on March 01, 2017, 11:32:12 AM: These are wicked good. I have three in their old guise as Nitrex TR One by Weaver.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/weaver-800471-grandslam-scope.html
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: Firedogg on March 01, 2017, 01:50:53 PM: See if you can find an older Redfield Widefield 2x7. The wider field of view is nice to have in brushy areas. They work great when mounted on see thru mounts. I have that setup on my .45-70. 2x is pretty nice up closer, 7x is strong enough to see limbs and branches at max distances you will shoot to avoid them.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: baker5150 on March 01, 2017, 02:09:29 PM: http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-LEVER-ACTION-RIFLESCOPES/1826464.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dleverevoltuoin

This is what I run. Can't really beat the price, and it's been a darn good scope so far.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: superdown on March 01, 2017, 02:38:52 PM: This is how i have mine setup Leupold VX2 1.5-4x28 scout scope with Leupold QD rings and XS scout rail and XS ghost ring sights.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: biggfish on March 01, 2017, 04:33:43 PM: I've got an old Bushnell 3-9x32 sitting on see through rings so I can still use iron sights. Scope is sighted to 100 anything up close and I've still got iron sights to shoot with. Missed a deer at 20 ft cause the scope was too close to tell where I was aiming and I can't shoot worth a darn canted looking down the side of the barrel, slipped right under its chest and skimmed hair.

Sent from my RCT6873W42 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: jdb on March 01, 2017, 04:37:45 PM: Quote from: biggfish on March 01, 2017, 04:33:43 PM
I've got an old Bushnell 3-9x32 sitting on see through rings so I can still use iron sights. Scope is sighted to 100 anything up close and I've still got iron sights to shoot with. Missed a deer at 20 ft cause the scope was too close to tell where I was aiming and I can't shoot worth a darn canted looking down the side of the barrel, slipped right under its chest and skimmed hair.

Sent from my RCT6873W42 using Tapatalk
canted looking down the barrel???can you please explain this?
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: jdb on March 01, 2017, 04:43:34 PM: Quote from: superdown on March 01, 2017, 02:38:52 PM
This is how i have mine setup Leupold VX2 1.5-4x28 scout scope with Leupold QD rings and XS scout rail and XS ghost ring sights.
this👆🏻Or a vx111, 1.5x5. I too suffer from poor eyesight so scopes are a must for me but putting a giant star gazer scope on a 30/30 is like and elevator in an out house. I personally have an old leupold m8 3x that is just waiting until I buy a levergun
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: bobcat on March 01, 2017, 04:54:41 PM: If you don't want to spend a lot of money I think this Weaver 1-3x20 would work well:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/183610/weaver-classic-v-series-rifle-scope-1-3x-20mm-dual-x-reticle-matte
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: jdb on March 01, 2017, 05:03:36 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: BULLBLASTER on March 01, 2017, 06:22:38 PM: I had a 6x44 fixed power scope on my 45-70. It worked really well for me.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: CP on March 02, 2017, 06:14:15 AM: Thanks for all the recommendations; they give me a good place to start looking.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: Dead-Eye on March 02, 2017, 07:50:16 AM: I've had a number of different scopes on my Marlins, both in 30-30 and 45/70. My 45/70 is a Guide Gun, and my 30-30 has been set up as a Guide Gun, with the Wild West Guns big loop lever. Both really are great brush guns, which means you MAY use them at a hundred yards, but more likely you'll be using them from twenty-five UP TO a hundred yards. I found a 3-9 X 40 scope was just too much scope for them. I finally settled on a Leupold Rifleman 2-7 X 33 scope. It's nothing fancy, just a good, solid scope that doesn't cost too awful much, but it filled the bill for what I wanted exactly. I didn't set it up as a scout, I used a Picatinny rail toward the back of the rifle, and my choice of mounts were low-profile, which also required a side-extension for the hammer, but it's a real comfortable setup. The 33 end is much smaller than the 40's that come with a number of the 3-9 scopes, so it's more streamlined. I dressed it up with a set of flip-up covers because, well, because this is Washington, where it rains a lot. Still shoots every shot within a 1" diamond at one hundred yards, but it's great where it's designed to be, in the brush. I usually keep the scope set at about 4-1/2, and it's only 2-1/2 set points to turn it up to 7 should I end up out in the open at some point.

Oh, and I went to using scopes on my "brush guns" for the same reason. The eyes. I've still got a 1957 Model 94 Winchester set up with a Williams peepsight - it's pretty good in decent light. Besides, I just couldn't face myself if I put a scope on that! On hunting day, I know I'll still reach for the Marlins most of the time.

I'm going to try to attach a few photos here for you. :P Cross your fingers, maybe I'll get it right. :hello:
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: Jellymon on March 02, 2017, 08:07:00 AM: :yeah:
Basically how my 336 is set up. VariX 1 2-7x33. I'm very happy with that setup. Fits a lever gun perfectly.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: Dead-Eye on March 02, 2017, 08:12:47 AM: Quote from: Jellymon on March 02, 2017, 08:07:00 AM
:yeah:
Basically how my 336 is set up. VariX 1 2-7x33. I'm very happy with that setup. Fits a lever gun perfectly.

Exactly. It gives older eyes that optical boost without changing the lever gun too radically.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: CP on March 03, 2017, 12:28:44 PM: Anyone use a red dot type sight on their lever rifle? Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-SF-BR-503-Strikefire-Sight/dp/B00HYRGYA2/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i2?_encoding=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=VJDRHGFTTW2WS9K5Q56H&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=1cded295-23b4-40b1-8da6-7c1c9eb81d33&pf_rd_i=desktop
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: BigGoonTuna on March 04, 2017, 06:12:30 PM: Something like that Weaver 1-3x would be ideal. Most lever gun stocks are set up for irons, so you'll want that scope as low as possible. I'm planning on putting a leupold fxii 2.5x on my 45-70, lots of eye relief for that heavy kicker.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: TeacherMan on March 30, 2017, 11:28:40 AM: Leupold VX1 3-9
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: CP on May 19, 2017, 08:32:59 AM: And the winner is:

Leupold VX-1 2-7x 33mm

I’ve tried a half dozen different optics on this rifle now and this one I can live with. I can actually pick up the target faster than I could with the peep sight. And it’s a 300 yard rifle now. Never would have thought about shooting it that far with the peep.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: Lemoore-on on May 19, 2017, 12:03:56 PM: I think the 2x7x33 is perfect for this gun. I went with a Redfield only because it was on sale.
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: follow maggie on June 06, 2017, 04:00:41 PM: I think these are great for short range lever guns

Quote from: CP on March 03, 2017, 12:28:44 PM
Anyone use a red dot type sight on their lever rifle? Something like this:
Title: Re: Optic recommendations for a Marlin 30/30
Post by: kselkhunter on June 06, 2017, 04:14:15 PM: I use a Burris Fastfire 3 red dot on my Marlin 30-30. Great for hunting where rapid target acquisition in thick brush areas before the blacktail moves out of sight. I use other rifles for areas where I get 300 yard shots.