I am looking at buying a Marlin 336 in 30/30 Winchester. This is a gun that I refinished the stock on about 30 years ago for a good friend and he wants to sell it. What would be a classic scope for this rifle, either new or used. I probably will never hunt with it but would like to have it in the safe ready for use. Thanks for any replies.

The classic set up would be a steel tube Weaver K2.5 in Weaver original rings on their one piece base. There's one for sale on E-Bay as we speak.

Probably not a classic but a weaver v3 which is 1x-3x. I have several. They sell for about $140 and they are as clear as my Leupold Vari xiii 1.5-5 at well under 1/2 the price. Super lightwt and compact too.

quote:

Originally posted by Leo M:
...a Marlin 336 in 30/30 Winchester... What would be a classic scope for this rifle, either new or used. I probably will never hunt with it but would like to have it in the safe ready for use. ...

Hey Leo, The Lever Actions can be very addictive once you begin handling one on a regular basis. And the 30-30 is one absolutely excellent cartridge with enough power to properly be used on game the size of Deer and Bear within 150yds or so.

I have an old K3-C3(Tapered Post) Weaver that goes on a lot of rifles for up close situations. That straight Tube does not gather light during the Twilight periods on each end of the day as well as a Large Objective scope, which is the only negative thing I've noticed.

Some larger Objective scopes will still clear the barrel in Low Rings, but you "might" have to slip the Rear Sight out of it's Dovetail. It just depends on the entire scope attachment - Base Height and Ring Height - plus how large that Objective end happens to be.

If you get the Scope too high, then there is a problem with the Cheek Weld on the stock because you have to hold your head too high to see through the scope. So, lower mounting systems and smaller Objective scopes work the best for these stock designs.

I'm using a 3-9x EFR Leupold on a lever action to Develop Loads with, but I'm leaning toward just using Iron Sights once that is accomplished. By using a Weaver Base and Weaver Style Rings, it is possible to use the Scope and the Iron Sights. Simply remove the Scope (with the Rings still attached) and the Weaver Base is designed so you can see the Iron Sights with it on the rifle. Not many Bases are that well designed.
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Basically the Stock Design requires the scope to be mounted as low as possible to attain a proper Cheek Weld. Which means a small Objective Lens works the best.

Best of luck to you.

My dad and I both killed our first deer with a Marlin M36 (precursor to the 336), wearing a Weaver 330 scope. Since then I have used and still have several Marlin 336s with K-3's on them.

Both are pretty traditional, but the Weaver 330's are the earlier traditional scope for the classic combo. Other nice things about the #330...1) They are usually less expensive, IF you can find one; 2) The 330 is a much slimmer, neater, scope as it only has a 3/4" tube; 3) The 330 has more eye relief AND a somewhat less critical requirement for eye centering behind the ocular lens {at least mine felt that way).

Now, I think the REALLY NEAT old combo is a Marlin 30-30, with the Weaver 330 scope, in an M. L. Stith "Streamline" mount. That rear mount used the receiver sight holes on the side of the receiver, and the front mount slid into the dovetail in place of the rear iron sight on the barrel. With that mount the scope tube slips INTO BUT NOT THROUGH the front ring, and the front side of the front ring has a slant to its outer surface which makes it look almost like a hollow rib growing out of the barrel.

If it was me, I'd start with the Weaver one piece base mount as made now for the K-3, and find me a K-3 of K-60 or later series. THEN, I'd keep my eyes open for a Weaver 330 scope and a Stith mount...the pair (330 scope & Stith mount) shouldn't cost much over $70 total, if that, when you finally find them.

Leupold FX-2 2.5x20 Ultralight was my choice.

I've used everyting from a steel tubed El Paso made Weaver K4 to Leupolds. These days, I think the pentax Gameseeker 1.5-5x20 is a great scope especially for the money. I prefer the duplex reticle to this precision plex crap.



I like the older weavers that are available with the post reticle. Plus, they are a little smaller in proportions.

I guess in general I'm partial to scopes without obejectives for my scoped leverguns.

I have a few hunting rifles, but my Marlin 336 .35 Rem. seems to be in my hand every I shoot a big game critter,Deer, Hog 565lbs, at around 200yrds. Used Buffalo Bore Heavy35, I only use A Lupold Varix 2, 3"x9"x40. It works really well.
Good luck with your lever gun, but beware, they are
addictive.
alphie

I had a Burris Fullfield shorty-scope, a 1.75-5x scope on my Marlin 336 SS LTD 18.5".

I hated it. Absolutely miserable light gathering capabilities and very, very sensitive to eye placement.

It's since been replaced with a Leupold VX2, 2-7x scope. Much better scope and much happier with the results - although it's hardly classic looking anymore...

I'd not scope it but put a Lyman peep sight on it.

Inasmuch as the 30-30 has limited range then a low powered fixed scope should be the ultimate..I have a 2.5X Leupold Alaskan, 7/8" tube and its just perfect, but a 3X Leupold would also work as would a 2.5x Weaver..Just don't over scope it.

i've had good performance from a simmons 44mag 2-7x scope.

the .30/30 kills deer out to 175 and a little beyond - there might come a time when you will need some extra magnification.