Author Topic: Want some opinions on a scope for a 336 (Read 4009 times)

swordfish · « **on:** November 04, 2009, 08:09:51 AM »

I have never scoped any of my Lever guns but see that a lot of others have. I now have (6) and am thinking of scoping one of them, a 336. Ether a 30-30 or a 35 Rem. I was thinking a Leupold or Nikon 3x9-40 or something along those lines. For those that have scoped one of theirs, what is your preferance for a scope and reason for your choice.

Thanks in advance for your input.
Swordfish

mangulator · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:25:58 AM »

I scoped my 336 with a 2 X7 Burris with a German post sight. The scope and 30-30 make a good combination.

J'hawker · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:43:14 AM »

My favorite for the 336 is the Leupold 2-7x33. It just seems like a good match, both in size and power settings.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:16:17 PM »

So far all my levers with scopes have the straight tubes on them, ie. 20mm objectives. They look a little smoother to me, just my preference. That said, I just bought a Leupold 2-7x33 with the LR Duplex that was on sale. That one I'm gonna put an a BLR 358 win. to see how it works for that cartridge. DP

Oldshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:07:57 PM »

I scoped my 35 rem last year for the hunting season and it performed well with a 3-9 nikon.

A short tubed fixed power would be my choice if i was going to buy one like a leupold FX ll 2.5 I am looking at right now. I hate to see a lever gun with a scope but i hate to hunt with open sights more, these days. I have a peep on my 44 marlin but that is a under 100 yard shooter

Dee · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:48:24 PM »

I put a Lyman 66 Aperture on my 3030 almost 40 years ago and never looked back. At 250 yards I'll kill anything anyone else will with a 3030 at that range with a scope.
I would get the lowest power scope I could so as not to inhabit the handling speed the 336 is noted for.JMO

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:28:58 PM »

Quote from: J'hawker on November 04, 2009, 08:43:14 AM

My favorite for the 336 is the Leupold 2-7x33. It just seems like a good match, both in size and power settings.

This is my vote also. To my hand and eye Marlins are overbalanced when objective diameter gets above 33 mm. Better yet is a fixed power 2.5X or 4X.

My leverguns now all wear iron sights. My bolt guns have scopes as described above. I shoot much better with a scope because of aging vision but I sure like the feel of a levergun while rambling in the woods.

Bossloper · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2009, 11:52:53 PM »

I have the new Lyman #2's on my 1894 - 44 and 336's in 30-30 & 38-55 cowboy. It keeps them all very capable & useable for CAS or hunting without having to change anything. JMO

Old Grizz · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:30:19 AM »

In my opinion and it's only my opinion, I'm like a lot of others here that believe a full size scope such as a 3-9x40 is to large for a levergun and would prefer to use a compact size scope such as a 2-7x33 which is more than sufficiant for a 30-30 etc. On my 336 I use a Leupold 2-7x33 with a heavy duplex retical which is a little easier to find in the deep woods. Actually I prefere not to use a scope on a levergun but because of my old eyes I find I need one now.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:32:32 AM »

A very vintage .............. Weaver 4X.

Hank in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:50:14 AM »

Leopold is my favorite but I put a Nikon 3x9 BDC on my 45-70. If your shots are long enough the BDC is handy.

jlchucker · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:56:45 AM »

The one Marlin that I have with a scope on it has a 1.5 to 5 Bushnell on it. It provides a clear sight picture, and mostly I use it in the woods on 2 power or thereabouts. That is, when I rarely use it. Most of the time, when I hunt with a Marlin, it's usually my other 35--with a half magazine and a top-mounted receiver sight with a big arperture.

mannyrock · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:20:02 AM »

I voice another strong vote for the Leupold Vari-X II, 2x7. It is a perfect match for a 336. More than enough for any occasion.

If you go with a fixed scope, then I would suggest a 3 power scope, instead of a standard 4 power, as most people use their levers for woods more than fields. Don't go with any lower power. I recently looked through a 2.5 power fixed scope, at a deer that was standing broadside in a field at 150 yards. Man, . . . the deer looked pretty far away through that scope.

Mannyrock

Sharps-Nut · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2009, 08:47:45 AM »

Plus one on the vintage K-4 weaver. The small size objective and classic steel tube just look great.

Halwg · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:22:31 PM »

I have 3 vintage Weaver K4 with steel tubes. They are great scopes for lever guns. However, I have gone almost exclusively to 2-7X32 variable on all my Marlins. I have them on 7 guns in 30-30, 35 Remington and 444 Marlin. The K4s are now on 22s.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:37:05 PM »

2.5X Weaver fixed power on both my Marlin 336 and my Winny 88. Don't need all that high power unless you're after varmints at long range, in my opinion.

-WH-

TrapperRay · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:17:58 AM »

On my Marlin 336 I put a 2x7 power Redfield/Widefield scope, works fine for open range and the woods.Ray

swordfish · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:09:32 AM »

Thanks everyone. Some varying of opinions on the scopes, and good reasons backing them up. Looks like I may have to buy and sell till I get what hunts best on it for me. Damn, wish there was a clear cut answer.

Thanks,
Swordfish

Sharps-Nut · « **Reply #18 on:** November 06, 2009, 10:48:49 AM »

Hey swordfish. Put one of those big variables with a min of 50 mm objective mounted on see thru rings. Thats a classic leavergun look. Sorry just had to go there, bored at work and really enjoyed the read on what others are using. SN

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** November 06, 2009, 11:54:49 AM »

These are the ones I'd consider. Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32, Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32, Leupold Rifleman 2-7X33, any Bushnell 3200 that suits you. The first 2 are my first choices. They are awesome for the money. eBay normally has the best prices.

Nikon Prostaff 2-7X32 a really awesome scope

My personal favorite the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32

robert4570 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:26:07 PM »

Most of my Marlin's have Leupold VXIII 1.5-5 20mm scopes .
The only exception is my old 444 ss , it has a Redfield Wideview.

I would prefer open sites but my eyes just arent what they use to be.
I have a tough time focusing on iron sites, especially in low light .When I looked thru a
scope at 1x I was sold. Your able to get on target fast without having
to struggle with the iron sights.

NYH1 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 07, 2009, 07:10:34 AM »

For a variable power scope either a Leupold VX-II 2-7x28mm Ultra light or the regular VX-II 2-7x33mm. For a fixed power scope a FX-II 4x33mm would work real nice.

Similar scopes from Burris, Nikon and other quality manufactures will work good as well. We have a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32mm on my dads 11-87 20 ga. slug gun. Thats a REALLY nice scope for the money!

Buckeye · « **Reply #22 on:** November 07, 2009, 03:31:23 PM »

Quote from: Savage .250 on November 05, 2009, 01:32:32 AM

A very vintage .............. Weaver 4X.

Works with me

454Puma · « **Reply #23 on:** November 11, 2009, 04:54:43 PM »

Mine wears a Tasco Prohorn 4X ! Hey it came with the gun!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2009, 01:47:47 AM »

im with dee. Scopes just dont appeal to me on levers but if you insist id opt for something like a leupold 1x4

Quote from: Dee on November 04, 2009, 04:48:24 PM

I put a Lyman 66 Aperture on my 3030 almost 40 years ago and never looked back. At 250 yards I'll kill anything anyone else will with a 3030 at that range with a scope.
I would get the lowest power scope I could so as not to inhabit the handling speed the 336 is noted for.JMO

Old Fart · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2009, 05:34:27 AM »

Quote from: 454Puma on November 11, 2009, 04:54:43 PM

Mine wears a Tasco Prohorn 4X ! Hey it came with the gun!

Kind of the way mine came. Mines an older 336 made back in the mid 50's I believe.
Don't remember which one it is but it's an older version Tasco. I was going to replace it but it works just fine.

johnskb · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:44:11 AM »

The large scopes just don't look right on a lever rifle. Use a straight 4X or 1.5x6 stay away from the large objective lens. Don't make a compact rifle bulky with the wrong choice of scope size. John

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2009, 10:54:52 AM »

1.5x5 VXIII Leopold with the illuminated reticle here. It wears Warne Quick Release rings. Makes it pretty easy to get at the irons if need be.It's all the scope I need on that gun. That scope is a joy to use, I really think it's worth a look.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2009, 02:34:19 PM »

Quote

illuminated reticle

Not having used one I was wondering, does that use a battery?

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2009, 03:44:48 PM »

Yes a couple little button batteries. They light up the very center wires so they glow red. I bought the scope used and the price was right. The lighted reticle is pretty darn nice late in the hunt in deep woods. When the watch says you are legal but you cant see the cross hairs against a Black bear they really shine, pun intended. The 1.5x5 part also makes it a bright scope as well. The VXIII uses a 30mm tube don't really know if its because of the light or what, VXII I've seen use a 1" tube. Light is optional on the VX III.

I've taken the thing off and clamped it onto the flat top AR and chased coyotes and it is the nuts for that too. I really need a riser to make it work properly with current rings though. It looks like it was made for that AR, it's a bit ungainly on the Marlin but darned if it don't hunt.