Lever 30-30 Scope Choice

[benjamin]

put a fixed 4x and you are ready to go

 

[ridgerunner33]

Leupold fixed 2.5 compact @ around 6 oz. in low mounts could be a wise choice, balance and feel are important for quick shots in tight cover.But personally, I like a good Lymans or Williams peep sight just as well.Love the levers,to me they are a great big ole piece of rugged Americana.

 

[Sigo]

I’ve been using my Marlin for most of my hunting. My first kill with it was with iron sights. I put a 3-9x40 on it and appreciate the difference. On 3x I can still knock down close prey. The longest shot I took was 125m. Right through lungs and heart. My last was 70m at a buck quartering away. I would not have taken either shot on iron sights. The long one would’ve been too dark and the 70m would’ve been too far for my old eyes. I use a Leupold, but since then, I give Vortex a good look because of their guarantee. Good hunting.

 

[biker_bill]

I got a lever action Marlin for Christmas and have been debating on putting a scope on the rifle. Any suggestions for a scope? Should I just leave the iron sights? Any and all comments would be of help to give me some ideas. I like quality optics on my rifles that i wont have to sight in every few weeks during deer season. Thanks in advance.

The weight and balance of the gun completely changes when you put a scope on it
.
Right now without the scope it comes to your shoulder and points much quicker than it will when a scope is on it.
I like the gun better with iron sights, but about 10 years back I had to scope it because of my eyesight.
It feels like a very different gun now, but with the scope on it, it seems more accurate.
Still, if I had my way, I'd leave it like it was, it had a very specific use to me (hunting in the thick stuff) and for that it was excellent.

 

[HERMET]

See through scope mounts are a must have for my 30-30 for hunting.
Gives you the option of scope for distance or iron sights for those quick reaction shots at closer ranges. JMO

 

[cmshoot]

Look at replacing the rear sight with an aperture sight that mounts on the receiver, where the scope mount would go. That gives you a set of irons that have a much extended sight radius over the factory setup, which means better accuracy for you. Williams, XS Sight Systems, Skinner, etc.

 

[ridgerunner33]

See through scope mounts are a must have for my 30-30 for hunting.
Gives you the option of scope for distance or iron sights for those quick reaction shots at closer ranges. JMO

Yes ,but there is never a need for irons with a 2.5X scope.Massive field of view with Leupold little compact.Low to the reciever is natural for the eye.I said all that ,to say I use a peep on my receiver.It extends the sighting plane and loans itself to good accuracy at distance.Its historic.As is the rifle design.