Simple...

[Plainsman]

Scopes and lever actions just don't go together!  :-D

Look into Williams or Ashley reciever sights and open the door to a handier, faster shooting rifle that is lighter to boot!  I have a Williams reciever sight on my Marlin 1894S and would go to one for a Big Bore as well.  

BTW, I can outshoot my scoped .25-06 bolt action with the 1894 setup with the reciever sight out to 150 yards in field positions!  :shock:

[charlessala]

Like you I spent some time considering this.  I settled on a $50 leaper scope.  It had the best field of view.  

A customer at the sporting goods store recommended Bushnell or better commenting that you get what you pay for.  

I am a cheap bastard but somehow I bought a $1000 Zeiss 1.5  X  6  X  42  and put it on a Winchester 94 AE in 444

I never knew what a difference a good scope makes.  I can see better (more clear) at 6 power than at 10 power in my Redfield.  Dawn is day in this scope.  At 1.5 I can pick up anything in an instant and shoot with confidence in a split second.  

I just never knew that there could be so much difference in scopes.  Standing at the counter they all viewed the same to me, in the field this scope is like lightning.

So buy the best you can.  If you can’t see it, you can’t shoot it.

[Lloyd Smale]

I prefer a reciever sight too. I did put an aimpoint on one .35 marlin and it being so small didnt look to bad and works great.

[markc]

If you want a scope,  buy one.  They fit lever guns just fine.  You gun is already drilled and tapped for a scope mount, so I guess Marlin knew what they were doing.

Leuopold makes a nice 2X7 that works well  Vari X i or II.  Cost around $200.00 depending on where you shop.  A scope on a lever gun is all a matter of personal choice. If a scope is what you want, buy one, if it helps YOU to shoot more accurately,  buy one.  It doesn't matter what others can do with their unscoped lever guns,  go with what works for you.
markc   :-)