New Marlins - .35 Rem & .44 Mag - To Scope or Not to Sco

[Ore]

Recently bought a .35 Rem 336 and a .44 Mag 1894 both like new from a guy who inherited them from his Dad.  Got them for $150 each (although I did tell him they were worth more).  They both seem like they'll be a joy to hunt with.  Anyhow, I'm trying to decide how to set them up and I'd really appreciate your opinions:

1.  Should I scope either of them or leave them "natural"?  If so, what power?

2.  If I leave the iron sights, what's the best way to get them sighted in?  For windage, do you have to tap on the rear sight?  If so, what should I use?

2.  What can I expect out of the 1894 in .44 mag?  I'm not used to hunting with pistol calibers.  I don't want to over-estimate the .44 mag, but also don't want to under-estimate it.  Most likely game would be deer, although I have been thinking about hogs now that I'm down in Alabama.

Sorry for so many questions.  I really appreciate the help, though.

[jpstrait]

If you scope them, try either a fixed 2.5x or low variable scope mounted low as possible. If you want to keep it "natural", I would recommend a Lyman or Willliams peep sight with a fire sight front. As far as the 44 mag goes for hunting, I wouldn't use it past 100 yards for deer due to the trajectory. Good rifles though, both of them. Happy hunting.

[victorcharlie]

I would say it depends on how your going to use them.....I spent big bucks on a Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6 to go on my 1895 45.70........I have hunted with the gun in my new location 1 time and have switched to my .35 remington without a scope but with a ghost ring setup.  I quickly realized that I couldn't see more than 40 or so yards, and really couldn't shoot more than 20 yards without risk of hitting a tree or limb.......so the scope became a liability rather than an asset......For me, aquiring a fast target at close range is hard to do, even with the scope set on it's lowest power.......I'll probably take the scope off and put it on a different gun as I'd like to have the knock down power of the 45.70 for use in the thick stuff so that hopefully the game won't be able to run into the rough.......where the tracking is tough..........this shouldn't be a problem with my .35 remington, or either of your rifles as well.....
 
Both of your rifles are limited in range....a scopes nice for the bench, but in the practical application the guns are designed for you might not need one......in which case, you could add a new scope to a rifle the would benefit from it more............... JMO.....

[TNrifleman]

Ore,

Another consideration is how well can you shoot them with the open sights? If you can reliably place a bullet in the vitals of a deer or hog within the typical range of where you hunt, then a scope may not be an asset. However, if you are middle age or older, and those sights are not as clear as they once were, a low power scope can be a great idea. I can't shoot irons as well at 50 yards and beyond as I once could. I put a Weaver 1x3 on my Model 375 and 100 yard shots are not a problem. I'd recommend that you take your rifles to the range and shoot targets at 50 and 100 yards from a rest and off hand. Then, and only then, decide if you and the rifles are up to the hunting task at hand.

[old geezer]

Ore,

I have a 336 in 30-30, and a 94 in 357.  You could do like I do, I have a low power variable on the 30-30 for those places I might shoot more than 100 yds, and a Williams fire point on the 94 for under 100 yds. They are zeroed for 100 and 50 yds respectifully.

I live in Al also, and mainly hunt out of tree stands, so depending on the placement depends on what gun I carry.

Geezer

[victorcharlie]

That's pretty good advice from Geezer.......and really, that's what I have set up now.......45.70 with the low powered scope zero'ed an inch high at 100 yards........and the ghost ringed .35 Remington zeroed at 50 yards.........Geezer got me thinking again.....maybe I'll leave the scope on the 45.70........

[JJ79]

Recently bought a .35 Rem 336 and a .44 Mag 1894 both like new from a guy who inherited them from his Dad.  Got them for $150 each (although I did tell him they were worth more).  They both seem like they'll be a joy to hunt with.  Anyhow, I'm trying to decide how to set them up and I'd really appreciate your opinions:

1.  Should I scope either of them or leave them "natural"?  If so, what power?

2.  If I leave the iron sights, what's the best way to get them sighted in?  For windage, do you have to tap on the rear sight?  If so, what should I use?

2.  What can I expect out of the 1894 in .44 mag?  I'm not used to hunting with pistol calibers.  I don't want to over-estimate the .44 mag, but also don't want to under-estimate it.  Most likely game would be deer, although I have been thinking about hogs now that I'm down in Alabama.

Sorry for so many questions.  I really appreciate the help, though.

1.  my vote is don't scope them!!! (especially the .35) I have a similar brace of Marlins (a 336 in 30-30 & 1894 in .44 mag).  the 30-30 I won't scope because it will hit the center of a target 100 yds away with open sights, and that's about as far as I'd shoot with this particular gun anyway...if I'm gonna hunt where there's a long shot, I'll use my .270...  I put a red dot scope on the .44, and it works really well; very fast!!!

2.  as far as sighting in with the open sights, my guess would be that you shouldn't have to worry about the windage; it'll mainly be the elevation that you'll have to adjust.  and yes, you'll have to tap the sight if you do need to adjust the windage.

3.  I've commented in other threads that the .44 mag has a trajectory a lot like a golf ball  :roll:  I think you'll find this to be true once you take a couple long shots with it...  personally, 75-80 yds would be about as far as I'd shoot with mine.  it ought to be murder on those hogs though!!!

[tanoose]

Ore scoping any rifle is a personal thing . Just because there lever actions doesn't mean you shouldn't scope them . I have a win 94 30/30 with a williams peep sight which i use when i know the range will be short , i just picked up a savage 99 308 with a 4x weaver , which i beleive i'll keep on the rifle. The iron sighted and peep sighted rifles are handier in the brush . I once had a 94 angle eject which wore a leupold 2.5 it was still a handi brush rifle. I have always been a fan of peep sights but as my eyes are getting older i am now leaning toward using scopes. My leupold vari-x 2x7 on top a ruger ultralight 30/06  on 2x  is great in the brush and if i wanted to on 7x  i can hunt those 300 yd fields if i wanted to . Good luck with your choice . LKater Tanoose