I recently purchased my first deer rifle, a used marlin 30-30 and now im looking for a scope to go with it. (did i mention that i know about as much about scopes as i know about ancient egyptian heiroglyphics) I want something decent but without spending a month's pay. So far I think the Nikons seem to be the best optics for the money, but I haven't seen a lot. I'm thinking about a nikon prostaff or buckmaster. Any thoughts or suggestions?
:confused: -David

I just bought my first center fire rifle, a 7mmRM and I bought a Nikon 3x9x40 buckmaster. I must say that I'm very happy with it, after 400 rounds at the range. Being my first rifle I don't know a lot about them, I just went with clarity, supposed ruggedness and price. They only thing I noticed that I didn't expect with this scope is, the instant I fire I can see the cross hairs bounce in the springs. I haven't noticed any change in point of impact so I assume that this is normal.

Some will debate the wisdom of putting a scope on a levergun such as the 30-30, Fender - but, heck - every longarm I've got has a scope on it, including the Marlin 1895 LTD1 45-70!

You can't go too far wrong with the Nikon - a good scope for the money. In the same price range, there's Weavers, Burris, and lower end Leupolds - all good glass.

Being in Alabama, I would sense your shooting will be in the less than 150 yd range. Would suggest a fixed power (4X) or a low power variable (1.5X5 or 6) as the best setup for your 30-30. You don't need a lot of power, you need field of view.

Good luck on your scope purchase.

Nikon makes an excellent scope, IMO- good choice.
I would agree with KDub about the field of view being more important than power for your purposes. A low power variable, or a straight 4x might be good. If you get a 3x9 make sure it's at the 3x setting in the woods.

Some will debate the wisdom of putting a scope on a levergun such as the 30-30, Fender - but, heck - every longarm I've got has a scope on it, including the Marlin 1895 LTD1 45-70!

You can't go too far wrong with the Nikon - a good scope for the money. In the same price range, there's Weavers, Burris, and lower end Leupolds - all good glass.

Being in Alabama, I would sense your shooting will be in the less than 150 yd range. Would suggest a fixed power (4X) or a low power variable (1.5X5 or 6) as the best setup for your 30-30. You don't need a lot of power, you need field of view.

Good luck on your scope purchase.


You nailed it with the 150 yds. Thanks for the advice.

I recently purchased my first deer rifle, a used marlin 30-30 and now im looking for a scope to go with it. (did i mention that i know about as much about scopes as i know about ancient egyptian heiroglyphics) I want something decent but without spending a month's pay. So far I think the Nikons seem to be the best optics for the money, but I haven't seen a lot. I'm thinking about a nikon prostaff or buckmaster. Any thoughts or suggestions?
:confused: -David

This is a Nikon UCC Monarch fixed 4X with adjustable, extended eye relief on my 336C 30-30. I think it's the classic rig. Another good choice/value would be a Burris scope.

http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/Marlin_336C_30-30.jpg

This is what it allows me to do. 5 shots at 100 yards, I pulled one. I'm not familiar with the other models but the Landmark is first rate.

http://img23.photobucket.com/albums/v69/GuideGun/30-30_100_yards.jpg

Give the new Weaver scopes a look. I have a Japanese made K2.5 on a .416 Taylor and it has lived through 273 rounds to date. You can get a K2.5 for about $100 and a 1-3X variable for about forty dollars more. Try the Natchez Shooters Supply website. Ed

If you want very good scopes, my personal recommendation it will be 2 brand, Zeiss or Swarovski (both from Germany)
Every test in gun-,rifle- and shooting magazins (in Europe) they win, and yes in the test there are american scopes too.

I recently purchased my first deer rifle, a used marlin 30-30 and now im looking for a scope to go with it. (did i mention that i know about as much about scopes as i know about ancient egyptian heiroglyphics) I want something decent but without spending a month's pay. So far I think the Nikons seem to be the best optics for the money, but I haven't seen a lot. I'm thinking about a nikon prostaff or buckmaster. Any thoughts or suggestions?
:confused: -David

I have a Nikon prostaff 3x-9x sitting in my closet doing nothing if you want it. There was nothing wrong with it, I just need adjustable front lens.
I have Leupolds and Nikons. Since the 4.5 x 14 Leupolds are closing in on $575, I'm beginning to like the Nikons better.
Anyway, If you need a scope, you might want to E-mail or private message me.

Good Luck
Tom

If you want very good scopes, my personal recommendation it will be 2 brand, Zeiss or Swarovski (both from Germany)
Every test in gun-,rifle- and shooting magazins (in Europe) they win, and yes in the test there are american scopes too.

IMO the above mentioned scopes are a little out of the league of the 30-30. I use a Zeiss Conquest (4.5-14 X 44mm) on my 7mm RM and 300 WM. It's a great scope and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality scope but it costs twice as much or more than the 30-30. Ther are lesser scopes made by both but the family just doesn't fit together with a 30-30.

I read once in a gun magazine where the author made the statement.....a good rule of thumb is, you should spend as much for the scope as you did for the gun.

One thing that didn't get mentioned is the size of the bell. I like to use low mounts on my guns/scopes. The largest diameter bell I can use with low mounts is 44mm. That's what is shown above and it is the main reason I bought the Nikon over any of the others. The extra lens diameter goes a long way in low light.

Burris is a very good scope for the money and they make a complete line of scopes to fit just about anyones wallet. I have 6 or 7 of there scopes from there 4x16 to a 1.75x5. The 1.75x5 is a nice compact piece and has plenty of power for your 30-30. I have this scope on a 450 Marlin and it has seen about 300 rounds threw it and the scope has had no problems what so ever. I also have some Leupolds and there very good scopes also, but seem to run a bit more money and I can't see any better thru them than I can thru the burris scopes. Anyway thats my thoughts on your question and good luck the choices are many. Happy shooting

My experience is that the Nikon (I use the 6-20 Monarch) is a well made and accurate product. This should extend to the entire product line. Burris is also a contender as is Leupold in the VX-II line. I have several Leupold Vari-X scopes that go back 30 years and still function like new. One other scope that I tried recently is the Bushnell 4200 Elite - it is discounted lower than the Nikon. Bushnell offers a no questions asked return privledge for the first year (check and make sure this deal is still in effect). Don't worry about Japanese lenses - even Leupold uses imported lenses.

axlenut

I'm a Marlin guy and do a lot of hunting year round, I use the Bushnell Banner Series 1.5 X 4.5 (71-1545) (http://www.bushnell.com/products/riflescopes/specs/71-1545.html). I think it is about as perfect a scope for the Marlin's as there is. I have them mounted on a 336A 30-30, 336D 35 Rem, 444P, and as of yesterday a 444T. I have an older 4 X that has been sidemounted on my M94 since 1968.

I live and hunt the Gulf Coast Plains of Texas. It is not uncommon for it to be 85F and near 100% humidity. On my hog hunt yesterday evening I noticed that the scope tube was beaded with condensation yet the optics where clear and fog free. I really thought about this scope last night after the hunt, see RD Sacks Another (http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?p=82870#post82870), and thought you just can't ask more from one. Despite the thunderstorm weather, there is not a patch of ground that isn't covered with several inches of water, it's was optics where clear and hit exactly what I was aiming at.

I've only had one problem and that was a scope that was new in the box. While bore sighting it, I thought the crosshairs did not move per the 1/4" MOA. I was in a rush to get it on the rifle and shot it for 6 months. The crosshairs did not adjust per the 1/4" click and it would have been okay I guess if you never changed loads but I change things on all my rifles pretty regularly. I boxed it up with a note and $10 and in exactly one week I had a brand new scope from Bushnell.

D&R Sports (http://www.dnrsports.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DSC&Product_Code=BSN711545&Category_Code=scopesbsn) has always been the best price on the Internet. Slowly, all the others have been coming down to their $$$. I noticed that Midway USA (http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/748138) is within a buck now. There is a fellow that is always selling these scopes on eBay. I believe they are factory demos but any Bushnell Banner is covered under the lifetime warranty. These scopes sell for about the cost of a new one. I did buy one from this fellow for $45 and it is on my wife's M99 300 Savage.

For rifle use, be sure the scope is the #71-1545 as they have another similar scope for shotguns. The only difference is the parallex is adjusted to 100 yards. Scopes with the Multi-X reticle have the 100-yard adjustment and scopes with the Circle-X reticle have a 50-yard adjustment.

The scopes are actually made in Korea... I don't have a problem with that as I spent my time in that country wearing the GI OD. In fact, I always admired the work ethic of the folks and it is reflected in the scope.

The Weaver steel rings and aluminum one piece base work great for this rig.

One thing is for sure; a good set of scope rings and quality one pieve base go a long way in either helping or hurting a scopes ability to get you on target.
I too am a Marlin lover, but I cannot use the factory sites on the 336 models, so I just have to top them with a scope. The Marbles semi-buckhorn sites I can use, and pretty well too, so you might see if you can too. Then find a replacement, via Brownells or you local gun shop.
I have to say I am not a fan of Bushnell scopes, as every one I've owned has turned out to be junk. I'd recommend a Kawa brand, but they long ago went to making only spotting scopes, but my 30 year old 4X served me well, and was every bit as good as the Leupold Vari-X I of several years ago. However, the VX II was superior, and for under $200 it now sits atop my Marlin 336 .35 Remington. Since Leupold has a no BS warranty that goes with the scope's owner, I think you'd be able to find a used or new VX II 1x4 and be happy with the price as well as the performance.

Some of the best scopes out there are made by Zeiss or Swarovski but of course, with great quality comes cost. You asked in your question what the best scope for the money would be. As you know, everyone would have their own opinion to this and as do I. I’ve been hunting for 7 years and been through a good deal of rifles and optics to say I’m fairly well seasoned as far as equipment goes as well as hunting experience. If you looking for a great cost effect scope that brings home the meat, you can not go wrong with a Simmons Aetec Riflescope, 2.8-10x44 Wide Angle, Silver. Not only does it do the job but also it sure looks nice two. You can get one for $138.00 I bought mine on http://www.cheaperthandirt.com You may be able to get it cheaper else ware but that was affordable for me. I have on my Sako 75 Hunter, Ruger .22 Mag as well as my T/C Omega .50 cal muzzleloader. I use the muzzleloader most often. Last year post rut, I brought home two Doe’s and the year before that I bought home a nice Buck as well as a Doe. All of these whitetails were taken from the same location from the same exact spot in nearly the same conditions at approx 100 yards. For me, you cannot get a better scope for the money. One other thing I’d like to mention to you while I have your ear. This scope has a nice 44mm aperture that lets in more light then most scopes and it has heavy-duplexing crosshairs. This scope can see a lot in that really early hour in the morning when the sun is just starting to come up as well as when the sun is nearly all the way down and dark is just about to fall, when the prime times are to harvest your meat. One lat thing, it's OK to get an inexpensive scope but do not go too cheap on the mount/rings. Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for listening. -Scott