41mag marlin scope recommendations?

[HappyHunter]

Here in the Hoosier state we will be allowed to use rifle on deer this year (pistol cartridges only). 

I have recently accuired a Marlin 41  mag lever gun and plan to install a scope.  The range will be 25-100 yards typically.

I was thinking of a 2-7 x 32?

What do you use or suggest?

Thanks,

Fred

[Hairtrigger]

less than 100 yards, deer sized targets?

Open Sights for me

[teddy12b]

Hey HappyHunter,

I too am a Hooiser with a big smile on his face because of the new laws.  If I buy a rifle shooting pistol cartridges it'll be a marlin just like the one you just bought.  I'm very interested in hearing how well yours shoots! 

I already reload for a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 so I'd be getting an 1894 44, and that's the only difference.  What part of Indiana do you hunt?

[HappyHunter]

Hair Trigger,

Good for you and your good eyes!   I have too much trouble with my eyesight. 

I do have a Winchester 94 in 44 mag that is set up with a Marble Peep sight, this seems to do well for me.  Also have a W94 in .357 with Williams peep sights that is great. 

I just like to play around with different guns, and find the semi buck horn sight to be nearly impossible for me to shoot well.

Teddy12b,

I live in Porter Co and hunt the South end of same along the Kankakee river.  Where do you hunt.

[teddy12b]

I usually travel out of state to hunt, but when I have hunted in Indiana I hunted in Churubusco or Butler.

[Dand]

For load testing I have been using a Beeman 2-7 and a Weaver 2-7.  But they seem too bulky on this trim gun (Marlin 41 mag).  So my plan is to put my old 3x Leupold on it and the 2-7 on my 30-06.  I would think a good quality 2, 2.5 or 3x would be ideal if irons aren't your thing.  I have experimented with the Williams Peep for this rifle but wish Marlin put the screw holes further back on the receiver.  I am tempted to drill the receiver but hesitate - I'm not that good of a machinist.  Then there are the XS sight systems but the rear sight seems a little strange to me - maybe I'm too traditional.

I sure like my FG and it works well with factory loads up to and including the Buffalo Bore 265 and Corbon 265 loads. Only thing that doesn't do so well are semiwadcutter loads.

Good luck hunting.

[jcn59]

I put one of those cheap 4x sks scopes on my Marlin 94 because it's the smallest one I could find & it works well & doesn't overwhelm the rifle.  It bothers me to look at it though.  It's too nice a gun to have a cheap oriental scope on it.  My old K-3 Weaver will probably get on it instead.

[Greenhunter]

I would put a Bushnell Elite scope on it. 2x7 or 3x9

[HappyHunter]

I forgot about this post.  I guess it is time for an update.

I ended up putting a Bushnell Elite 3200 2x7 on the scope. 

I slugged the barrel and ordered sized Buffalo bullets 250 grain with a gas check.

I shot the biggest buck of my life with this rifle last fall, a very nice 10 point 20-1/2 inch wide. 

This will be my go to Indiana deer rifle.


I had a great Deer season, hunting in Kentucky and Indiana.  Harvested deer with:

Bow
Winchester 44 mag levergun
Marlin 41 mag levergun
Remington 700 in 25-06
S&W 657 revolver in 41 mag
TC Encore muzzle loader in 50 cal.

Killed eight deer and put up meat for my family and friends.

Regards,

Fred

[bigjeepman]

HappyHunter ...

You had a great season ... taking many deer with so many different firearms. Congratulations!

I moved from Indiana early last year after living there my entire life. It is nice to hear success stories from there. I lived in southern Indiana and at our high school (the old high school), we were called the Happy Hunters in football, basketball, baseball, etc. Your post just brought back some memories from the good old days.

bjm

[Old Grizz]

I use a Leupold 2-7-33 on mine. In my opinion, the 3-9x40 scopes look too large for a short brush gun.  The one I use is a compact shotgun scope with a heavy rectical.

[Sweetwater]

My 1894Marlin 41Mag, circa 1984, wears a compact Leupold 2 1/2power in a Redfield Jr mount. I've yet to take any game with it, but I sure enjoy shooting it and 'being able to see' where I'm aiming. This scope shares duties with my 94angle eject 356Winchester. I've had more low power scopes than high powered variables, and find they 'fit me' and are definitely durable.
My Dad has retired from shooting and tells me I've reached the point where I have too many guns to shoot any of them very much. I just tell him 'no such thing as too many guns'; though I do agree with the old saying of 'beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it!'

Regards,
Sweetwater