help with scope dilemma

[FLINT]

Hi all,

this year, I hunted some and wanted to kill a deer with my 35 rem 336. However, the couple opportunities I had while carrying that rifle were at dusk and dawn and I couldn't see the sights well enough to shoot.

For that reason I ended up finishing out the season with my scoped 250 sav and did end up killing a doe with only 9 min of legal light left.

My eyes aren't getting any younger also and where I hunt the 1.5 year old bucks often have tiny spikes and I've killed several in the late season over the years thinking they were does.

So, I was thinking, darn, maybe I need to put a scope on my 35.

The problem is that there seem to be very few options left these days for a very simple, small, compact, low mag scope. Like maybe just one option. The leupold 1.5-4x20. and honestly, I'd rather have a fixed power. apparently leupold just discontinued their 2.5x20 ultra light of course. and weaver had a nice little V3 scope but they quit making scopes a few years ago.

I looked at used scopes, but that seems like such a gamble buying something old and used online and it would be worth the risk if the costs were low, but the costs are as much as a new scope. Probably because equivalent new scopes are no longer available. Also old scopes don't have the coatings and are sometimes dim, which defeats the whole point of getting a scope to help with low light conditions.

there do seem to be several options of scopes that are low power variable but are 30mm and illuminated. So maybe those would be great for low light, but they are heavy, like twice as heavy as the leupold. seems to defeat the purpose. Also, you then have to monkey with batteries and having them die at the worst time, etc.

Also, the thing I don't love about the Leupold freedom 1.5-4x20 is the weirdo reticles they have. They are so busy and full of extra lines everywhere. Seems like every scope now caters to the cosplay tactitard millenials who think they need to shoot 500 yards with a 2x scope. Can't we have a single simple scope just for short range deer hunting? I don't need 5 hold over options to shoot my 40 yard deer.

anyways, I'd ask to see what you guys have on your marlins, but you probably have a bunch of scopes that are no longer available, in fact almost certainly that's the case.

Let me know if I'm missing anything that is available now. I know the next step up in size would be something along the lines of a 2-7x32 scope, I think those are even still considered compact, but I'm not sure i want something that big on my marlin.

Thanks for any insight or suggestions.

[Rockrat]

I have a 2-7x -32 Nikon on my 35 Rem. Nothing fancy on the crosshairs and its fairly compact. 1" tube

[TedH]

I'd say you're on the right track. You can find a used Leupold 1-4×20 on ebay. I wouldn't be opposed to a 2-7×32 either. Both will get the job done and look good doing it. I have a Nikon Monarch 2-7×32 on my Marlin 336ER, and it makes good looking package.

[earlmck]

I've been so fond of the little 2X7 Leupold that I have several. They spend their life set on "2" unless I test some loads when they get to spend a few minutes turned up to "7".

[AJMD429]

.
I just put one of THESE on two different leverguns (Marlin 1894's in 357 Mag and 44 Mag) and really love the setup. It is a fixed 3x but for my old eyes that's just about perfect for deer hunting.



https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1008762137

At 5-1/2 inches it is compact, and the reticle is ETCHED so easy to see in daylight without batteries, but in dim light you CAN choose green or red illumination in various intensities (I prefer very low illumination that some IR scopes don't have, but this one does). I like the reticle style as fairly minimalist, but with a good aiming-point dot and circle and minimalist trajectory compensation. I wouldn't hunt past 75 yards with the 357 or 125 yards with the 44, so I don't really need the trajectory lines and they are easy to ignore (unlike the 'military/tactical' scopes out there). It is set up for 223/5.56 but at some point if I wanted to target shoot out to 250-300 yards for the heck of it, all I swould need to do is plot out where the lines would be on the 357 or 44 Mag trajectories and learn those (or write them on tape on the buttstock).

I mounted one on my 357 Marlin so my son-in-law would have an optic he's used to (he has the same on on his AR, and I'd gotten one for mine but never mounted it). We were stalk-hunting together and I thought he'd prefer the 357. He wound up liking the 44 Mag better so I was going to use the 357, since I'm more experienced at deer hunting and should be better at shot-placement with the 357 vs less-critical 44 Mag. I was going to just swap and use the Williams FP like I usually do, but when we were shooting to see which one he liked better, I found I really liked the Spitfire scope, so I ordered another and now both leverguns are set up the same.

Even on the 357 Mag, it is the most compact/light scope I've found helpful, and it doesn't seem too large in proportion to the gun. I'd mounted a Redfield 2-7x on the 44 Mag at one point, and this seems about the same on that gun. But I do like a relatively higher scope, as I'm a 'chin-weld' guy. On a long-action like a 35 Rem or 30-30 it would seem tiny.

[FLINT]

Thanks guys,

seems the 2-7 is popular on leverguns! I have a 2-7x on my muzzleloader and do love it, but have been hesitant to put something that big on a levergun.

thanks Doc for the recommendation, I'll add those into the mix of options. I personally like to keep the optics as low as possible, but I'll definitely look into that type of (scope?) more.

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

I feel the same way about the new scopes. I picked up one of the new pic rails someone was selling off of the new Marlins and mounted a Burris 2.75 Scout Scope on one of my older 336's.

[Griff]

One word. Vortex. Their glass is top notch, maybe not top tier, but I have no complaints. I have two of their scopes, a 6.5-25x 50 Viper HD on my varmint rifle, and a Strike Eagle 1-6x24 on my "combat" carbine.

[Twodot]

depending on your budget, the Vintage Gun Scopes web site may be worth looking at

https://www.vintagegunscopes.com/

..

[44shooter]

I agree with your line of thinking regarding appropriate optics for your 35. It is a shame about Leupold discontinuing its fixed power scopes. Maybe you can get a FX series 2.5x or 4x off EBay. Barring that, you may have to get a low power variable. Ironically rifles are getting shorter and scopes are getting bigger

[jkbrea]

Even if you a buy a used Leupold or Vortex and it ends up being damaged or broke, you can send it in for a free repair or exchange. Their warranties are great.

[Streetstar]

I have been buying "LPVO's" for a couple of AR's --- one a Redfield 1-6x24 and another a Bushnell 1-4x24 ---
They are pretty cool little scopes, but tube is 30 mm ----- so a bit husky for a slim levergun like a Winchester , but dang do they operate' -- and would not be out of line on an already portly Marlin or something like that

The tactical market may give you something useful, who knows?

[rossim92]

One word. Vortex. Their glass is top notch, maybe not top tier, but I have no complaints. I have two of their scopes, a 6.5-25x 50 Viper HD on my varmint rifle, and a Strike Eagle 1-6x24 on my "combat" carbine.

i have a vortex reddot on my ar. love it

[TraderVic]

Buy a low power variable, such as a 1.5-4 or 5x, set it on 2 or 3, etc..... and leave it there. Been doing this for years.

[marlinman93]

I suggest you take a look at Leapers scopes. I have had a compact 3x-9x for sometime now and they're excellent quality. Leapers makes a wide variety of price ranges from down around $220 to $3,000 and their Bug Buster compacts are at that low end price, and a really good scope. Optics Planet has them for $212.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-ut ... 4f3dd085dd

[FLINT]

Thanks all,

I appreciate all of the suggestions. I'll look into them for sure.

worst case scenario is I get something I don't like on the marlin and then find something else to put it on.

[Twodot]

you can always watch fleabay for an old one but quality is always a stuff shoot (:
..

[FLINT]

you can always watch fleabay for an old one but quality is always a stuff shoot (:
..

yeah, exactly, that's kind of why i started this topic.

the used fixed power leopolds that they recently discontinued are now selling for double on ebay used what they sold new for a couple/few years ago. and even really old 40 year old scopes are going for $200+ and those ones I feel like have to be super hit or miss and I think you could easily get a turd

[Lastmohecken]

I have a Leupold Hog scope on an AR 15. It's a 1 x 4 power. On a Marlin, that should work pretty well. And I have used the Leupold 1.5 x 5 Vari X III's a few times, but all of those are inferior to a 2 x 7 x 32 Leupold Vari X II. These are out of production now days, but can still be found in ebay, sometimes in almost new condition. Frankly, on light rifles, they work great, and are much better at dark or early morning, than the scopes with the straight tube 20mm.

As I am getting older 68 now, I have started appreciating a little more power, and another out of production scope that I really like is the 2.5 x 8 Leupold Vari X III. I have that on a few guns. If want to go new, I just purchased a 2.5 x 8 VHD 3 scope for a Winchester Model 70, but it would not be out of place on a Leveraction. They do have that BDC zero lock elevation knob, but you don't have to use it once sighted in, however could come in handy for a few clicks for that 200 yard shot with the 30/30, if need it.

I have tried some of the red dots and they are better than Irons, but inferior to even a 1 x 4 power scope.

[LeverGunner]

Well, you named the 2 scopes I would recommend for a Marlin levergun, a Leupold 2.5x or 3x M8 and a K2.5 or K3x Weaver. Weaver is more of a gamble than a Leupold, as the latter has a lifetime warranty. One of the Weaver varieties just sold on Marlinowners for $50 shipped. I saw it after it sold.

You could go with a scope that has an objective bell, like a Leupold 4x M8.

Old Jap or Korean Bushnell Sportview 4x28 is a decent cheap scope. I had one a while with no complaints, but I didn't use it hard. I did some research on them though and they were solid scopes with a great reputation.

Of Weaver scopes, the -1 models were the best ones made, here is an example of interest.

[AJMD429]

.
I know some folks think it’s heresy to put a scope on a levergun, but I’ll levergun is just a pretty thing to look at unless I can actually see the target and hit the target.

Personally, I don’t really care about what my gun ‘looks like ‘ because I’m not posing for a photo-shoot, I’m trying to kill a deer.

Anyway, I don’t really think it looks that awful to put the vortex 3X on my 1894. The larger 336 firearm would seem even more fitting.

IMG_7927.jpeg

[Tycer]

I Frankly, on light rifles, they work great, and are much better at dark or early morning, than the scopes with the straight tube 20mm.

This is important.
A 5 mm exit pupil is a good choice for light transmission. Those vx2 2-7x32 are great for light transmission. The eye relief is perfect for a lever.
I have an older trijicon accupoint 1.25-4x24 that I use but the eye relief is a bit long and light transmission isn’t as good as my vx2

[LeverGunner]

.
I know some folks think it’s heresy to put a scope on a levergun, but I’ll levergun is just a pretty thing to look at unless I can actually see the target and hit the target.

Personally, I don’t really care about what my gun ‘looks like ‘ because I’m not posing for a photo-shoot, I’m trying to kill a deer.

Anyway, I don’t really think it looks that awful to put the vortex 3X on my 1894. The larger 336 firearm would seem even more fitting.

IMG_7927.jpeg

I do care what my guns look like, because I look at them a lot. Plenty of times I take my gun out into the woods with me and just admire it for its lines, for the mechanical engineering, and for the wood. Now... I'm not saying you shouldn't do as you please, but saying that I am one that does care how my guns look, even if I wasn't going to show them off in pictures.

Not to say that I don't do a bit of levergun photography when the mood suits me.

[AJMD429]

.
My father-in-law belonged to an antique car club, and thus my ride to my wedding reception was in a 1936 Duesenberg Model J - I suppose to some extent mounting a Vortex 3x Scope on a 1950's Marlin levergun would be kind of like putting Mag Wheels on that Model J, so I do see the point when the gun is a "lookin' at" kind of gun.

Like LeverGunner said, there are times when the aesthetics of a levergun (or bolt-action, or even semiauto) are worth a moment - lots of times a short hike in the woods is restorative, and although I'm not fancying I'm Daniel Boone, I do enjoy the sense of at least partially replicating some of the experience my great grandfather would have had in 1890 hiking the same hills here I now am privileged to hike on. I can even tote his 32-20 (Marlin 1889), or more often, my own Marlin 1894cs. Now I'd NEVER scope those guns, because it isn't as important for me to hit my target with those as it is to just carry them along for the hike. I also have a 375 Winchester 1984 BB, and although it isn't "historic" (after all, it's only about fifty years old, which is 'recent' for a levergun), I just can't find it in me to do anything to it beyond a good receiver/aperture sight.

My hunting or protection firearms are a different matter - those are tools that MUST function accurately and reliably, and if they have to be 'modified' to make up for my age or vision issues, so be it. There is an element of aesthetics, or I'd hunt deer with my semiauto 50 Beowulf SBR, since it clearly has the most power in the most deer-stand-friendly 'platform', and allows for a bunch of 'followup shots' should I need them. Definitely I prefer a levergun or at least a bolt-action though. But the levergun will likely have a 'modern optic' in many cases. Same thing even moreso for a home-protection firearm. If two-legged predators come bursting in, I don't care how anachronistic or goofy my firearm looks - I just want it to accurately dispense effective doses of projectile as rapidly as possible.

So maybe in my book there's two categories of guns - ones for mostly lookin' at and appreciating, taking on walks and plinking all day with, and shooting at the range or when there is a non-critical hunting or predator issue. The others are purely tools to accomplish a task, and appearances are irrelevant.

Those with better vision or shooting skills may be better able to ride the balance between the two, but I know of many deer I'd not have harvested were it not for the fact that I had a scope on a levergun, and it wasn't a 'vintage' one in any of those cases. Of course, sometimes the hike and hunt 'experience' is more important than whether or not game was harvested - on those days, I do indeed sometimes tote along a less-modified levergun. Usually on the last day of deer-season I don't really want to actually harvest another deer as much as just spend a day afield; the last day of season two years ago I took my 375 Winchester 1894 BB, knowing that despite the great cartridge capability, without a scope I'd be limited to a broadside shot within 50-60 yards, but that was ok. Had we needed the meat badly, I'd have had my XLR in 444 Marlin, with a big ol' scope on it...

[t.r.]

Bushnell offers their Dawn & Dusk model featuring 1.5-4.5X settings. It had been mounted to my Ruger 96 in 44 MAG. Bright and clear optics. TR

Ruger 96 Hornady.JPG

[41Redhawk]

Swift Optics has a 1.5 X 4.5 and a 2 x 7 available. I have one of their optics on my inline muzzleloader and it works great

[ikocher]

I am in the middle of working on just this issue! The Leupold VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20 is my current guinea pig on my 1894. I use an Ashley Performance mount to move the scope more over the receiver HOWEVER, Leupold is discontinuing many of the Dual Dovetail rings and the Medium 1" rings are what the 1.5-4x uses for my application. In fact, I just had to hunt for the last set I could fine. I ended up having to order from Bass Pro who had them.

I think you could try to source low rings since that's what the AP mount calls for with the larger scopes.

That said, there is another company call DNZ that makes a mount called the Game Reaper that could help you.

I ran into an issue with my favorite red dot setup last year so Im taking the opportunity to try this out. I'm not happy with the excess weight.

[Ray]

I just discovered that all of my old 2.5x compact scopes that have been faithful companions on leverguns & single-shots & slug-loaded fowling-pieces & somewhat modern muzzleloaders have dimmed and yellowed inside. They still look as if they might work but I miss the clear, bright view. So I am on a hunt for similar replacements but so far only the 1-4 variables have the compactness but as has been said, there may be eye-relief and ring-spacing mounting issues.

Several of my old scopes have the so-called "turkey" reticle and the fine crosshair within the approximate 30" circle worked very well for deer & coyote. Here is a currently available configuration for right at a franklin.....

IMG_20260123_074942.jpg

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023457875?pid=137609

The lack of availability of compact fixed-power scopes is most disappointing.....

[.45colt]

I once bought a used Weaver years ago from a guy on Marlin owners. mounted it months later and zippo...no adjustment in it. it's a fine paper weight .lesson learned. .

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

I like old Weavers but most of mine are cloudy. I went the route that twodot mentioned and had two of my old Weavers re-glassed by the Vintage Gun Scope shop in Montana. They did very nice work, the scopes are very clear, although I can't comment on the coatings or lack of, the scopes are good now around dawn and dusk. I don't have them on a lever gun, they are both mounted on old bolt action rifles, but they would be good if I decided to scope another of my lever rifles.

I mainly pack my lever actions on a horse in a scabbard and a scoped gun doesn't work as easy as an iron sighted gun.