Scope Advise

[California Mark]

I was planning on putting a scope on my marlin.  I have a 1894 c in .357 mag.  I went to the range yesterday and had great grouping(s) but could not get the factory sight to go to where the bullets were landing. 

I plan to put a XS Lever Scout Mount on the gun.  Any thoughts on this mount?  Also, any advise on the scope and rings that I should use?  I was looking at the Leupold Scout Scope and maybe Leupold QRW (low) rings.  Thanks in advance for any help.

Best,

Mark 

[Lloyd Smale]

dont like scopes on levers but an xs and a leupold would be a top shelf setup

[jpuke]

I'm with Lloyd when it comes to scopes on leverguns but I did go out for deer last year with the XS setup on my 1895.  The Leupold QRW rings are excellent (though heavy) and I used a Burris scout scope.  I removed the scope because it seemed to take away from the "handiness" of the rifle, felt too clunky.  (I did put the scout scope on a "scout-ified" Tikka T3 but that whole package only weighs 7 lbs.).  In short - XS mount and Leupold rings are excellent but I didn't like them too much on my levergun.

[Redhawk1]

Now I am different here, I like a scope on my lever gun. I don't like the scout set up, I like the regular scope mound above the action.  On your set up I would go with a Leupold 1.5X5 or a 1X4. You won't be making extremely long shots and I don't think you would need the extra magnification. JMHO.

[Mikey]

Mark - I'm certain your '95 is already set up for a scope - that is, it is drilled and tapped for a scope base.  I don't like the scout mounts, I want a scope to come to my eye relief and filed of vision quickly and the scout mounted scopes don't do that for me. 

I have scoped a couple of Winchester AE big bores with the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x Dawn to Dusk scopes and they work absolutely great on my rifle caliber levers.  These are shorter than the usual scopes and are quite rugged - meant for the recoil of shotguns and heavy rifles.  Should work very well on a 357 lever rifle.

BTW - you mentioned that your rifle gets great groups but not where you can adjust your sights to.  Are the groups too low???  If so, Marlin or Brownells should have the front sight blade you need.  I think a call to Marlin would help and Brownells has their catalog on line.  HTH and Good Luck.  Mikey.

[Coyote Hunter]

A Leupold VX 2-7x33 in Warne Quick Detach rings (Medium height 'Maxima' ) or Leupold Quick Release rings and bases are about perfect.  The scope is fairly compact and at 2x provides a wide field of view while providing 7x for load development.  I have a Vari-X II on my Marlin .30-30 and a VX-II on my .45-70.

If your sights aren't getting it done, cal Willimas and order a new FireSight, then call Marlin and order a "cut-out" sight hood.  Williams will help you get the proper height to get you where you want to be on the paper.  (You will need to know how far up or down you need to go at a given range.)

[Savage .250]

 Scope on a lever...... Why not? 
    I`ve got an old Weaver 4X on my Marlin.336 in .35, been there for years.
    My reason is simple it "helps" me see better.
   

[cwlongshot]

I am also NOT a fan of a scope on a levergun. it just ruins the balance and feel....BUT if you had to do it the scout IS THE way to go!!! Team it with a GOOD set of peeps and you will have a nice setup!!

 I did this with one of my 375's a couple years back. I refinished the wood as the forend didnt match the butt. I liked the idea of a scout setup and didnt have one. So I figured this was a good candidate as I had two of these rifles anyhow. I decided on a Leupold M8 2X pistol scope and a set of lo/matt Leupold QRW rings.

Here is some pics:




Here is how the butt stock came out:




I chose an Oil finish. I really like the look on a lever!!

 CW