Scope for a Marlin 30/30

bradpierson26

bradpierson26

Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
803
what would be the best scope to put on a lever action marlin 30/30
price isnt really a big deal, im open to any suggestions. pics would be great
 
I'm way outta touch on all the new models but,

on a 30-30 lever, I'm thinking...

Compact- to match the gun
Low power & fixed - for short range & fast shooting
Wide field of view ( a function of low power)
big objective & good optics for low light shooting
duplex reticle in standard scope (no batteries or switches to fuss with)
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/fx-ii-riflescopes/fx-ii-2-5x28mm-ier-scout/
(that scout model has extended eye relief for mounting forward of the action, not needed in your marlin, but will likely work for your mounting distance too.)

or a
red dot sight

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/prismatic-riflescope/prismatic-1x14mm-tactical-illum-reticle/
http://www.opticsplanet.net/red-dot-scopes.html

I've heard good things about the tasco pro point
http://www.opticsplanet.net/tasco-propoint-1x32-rifle-scope-pdts132.html
 
depends on what ya are gonna use it for, hunting a good 4X would be hard to beat, for SD a low fixed power scout scope would be cool, or a aimpoint.

if its for SD i would also think about a ghost ring site and the optics, if it was me.

the tasco propoint is a good one, imho the best unless ya re gonna choke up the $$ for an eotech or aimpoint, but, good as it is, the eotech or aimpoint is a lot better scope, the dot tends to fade out in bright sunlite with the cheaper red dots while its not a problem with eotechs/aimpoints, and while the propoint doesnt fade as bad as some, it still does fade a bit.
 
Reviewing the new Leverlution ammo, a more traditional riflescope could be put to use if you make the investment in the better ammo. Cabelas has scopes that are BDCed for that specific ammo, and right now, they look to be on sale.

http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/pod/0043787.shtml

Short of that, I second the fixed power, but I personally prefer something like 6x if you can get it. Usually the choices are so limited in fixed power, a big light gathering 3x9 is usually a better bang for the buck.
 
All good suggestions so far, its really a personal choice....

I'm not a fan of 3x9 scopes for anything. As already mentioned, it is hard to beat a good fixed power. Simple, more durable than variables and plenty of power for anything you would use the rifle for...
My personal preference for a hunting scope if I am going to use a variable is the Leupold VariX3 1.5 x 5.
There is something about having a lever gun with good quality iron sights though :thumbup:
 
On my .30-30 lever gun I have had a Bushnell Scopechief 1.5-4.5 variable for many years. I have been very pleased with it.

That Hornady Leverevelution ammo is very accurate out of my rifle.
 
I bought a 30-30 Winchester when I was 16yrs old,that was a few years ago.I bought it used and it came with a 3-9 variable Tasco on a side mount,it's also mounted 90 degrees rotated because of the adjusters.It has always been one of my favorite guns for deer,I usually hunt in big timber,were shots are in the 50-70yd range.I very seldom use the scope over about 5 or 6 unless I'm trying to find horns on a buck that's pretty far off.I don't think,with a Marlin,that the mount is an issue,they are side eject,aren't they?
 
"where shots are in the 50-70yd range."

That's what i had in mind for a 30-30 lever

338375 said:
My personal preference for a hunting scope if I am going to use a variable is the Leupold VariX3 1.5 x 5.

There is something about having a lever gun with good quality iron sights though :thumbup:
Click to expand...

another vote for the low power leupold...forgot that one.


1.5 - 5 x 20
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-iii-riflescopes/vx-iii-1-5-5x20mm/

1.5-5x20mm Illuminated Reticle
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-iii-riflescopes/vx-iii-1-5-5x20mm-illum-reticle/

1.75 - 6 x 32 bigger objective = more light
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-iii-riflescopes/vx-iii-1-75-6x32mm/

Since your question was for scopes i skipped iron sights...glass is better in low light, especially for me...but...
a ghost ring aperture sight with tritium(glow in the dark) front sight would be good and fast too.
 
Leupold 1-5x20.

hunting.jpg
 
I don't have a 30-30 but do have a Marlin Guide gun in 45/70. Probably the same range between the two.

My Guide Gun has a Leupold FX-II 2.5x20mm on it. It's just a fixed 2.5x scope with a short tube. It has a heavy duplex reticle to assist in low light situations. That scope just looks right on that gun and sure it would look and work just as well on your 30-30.

ggaction.jpg


ggall.jpg
 
What appeals to me about all lever guns is their handiness and i personally prefer to use fixed sights or the ghost ring mentioned above. a simple lyman 5D peep is easy to install and works great. i consider a 30-30 to be a 100 yard gun and irons work fine for me at that range. if you prefer a scope any good 1" tube 4 power on a good set of rings would work fine. good luck and let us know what you decide.
 
ahgar said:
What appeals to me about all lever guns is their handiness and i personally prefer to use fixed sights or the ghost ring mentioned above. a simple lyman 5D peep is easy to install and works great. i consider a 30-30 to be a 100 yard gun and irons work fine for me at that range. if you prefer a scope any good 1" tube 4 power on a good set of rings would work fine. good luck and let us know what you decide.
Click to expand...

That's something that I really like about the side mount scope on my Winchester,I can still use the iron sights perfectly.I also don't need anything extra on the hammer.:thumbup:
 
must be one of the old top eject winchesters, i really liked those. i've only shot one with the side mount but once you get used to it it's pretty handy.
 
Iron sights are great, but in lower light, a scope does help with making a precise shot on a deer. To me, it's worth the money to have that peace of mind when I pull the trigger.
 
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