Sorry for the load of questions -
I want to scope my inherited 30-30 & 35 - 336s for brush country hunting and want to get you user's opinion on scout scopes vs receiver scopes

Scout Scopes - recommended makers, best power & eye relief, field of view and how do you users like the new "XS Sight System"/ "Ghost Rings" mounting system
Receiver Scopes - recommended power, makers

for Both types - reticle recommendations
(I kind of like the idea of a German #4 or w/ an illum dot retical for a receiver mounted scope)

I am open for ideas, Thanks to all who reply!!!!!!

Welcome to the forum Straight Shoote. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

Got to say I'm not a Lever guy here on the forum, Been handicapped by them bolt action guns for to many years.

I have put a lot of scopes on 336's though, but not the scout variety. Some folks seem to like them and I understand they are very quick in the woods. None of the extended eye relief scopes have as wide of field of view as standard scopes, but you can shoot with both eyes open and unlike pistol scopes where you've got to kinda hunt for the field of view a rifle with a good cheek weld brings the scope into instant focus.

As for recommending scopes, Leapold and Burris come to mind as two of the best.

I have several and use the 1 x 4, 1.5 x 5, or the 1.75 x 6 on them. The 1 x 4 is probably all you will ever need and you can shoot it with both eyes open just like a scout scope. I use QD mounts but have yet to take the scope off and use open sights. :)
For the best eye relief the 1.5 x 5 is recommended. The ones I use are Leupolds.

My favorite for receiver mounting on the Marlin lever guns is the Leupold 2.5x20 Compact. With Weaver bases and Weaver low rings it adds very little weight and mounts further forward than its variable power cousins. It has plenty of power for the deep woods and is usable in low light when iron sights are useless.

Ralph

The 20mm low power scopes sit nicely on lever guns without taking away the balance. The 2.5 x 20 Leupy that Ralph mentioned is a good one.

I go one step higher than these guys.. I use a 3x7x33 leupold rifleman on my new xlr. 336...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Larry360/Marlinxlr.jpg

On both my 30/30 & .35 I have the Leupold 2X7 VX1 mounted. Am happy with this arrangement.

I have a Weaver V3 1-3x on my 1895 Marlin - it is quick,
not too heavy, and has a bright, wide field of view that
is handy in the woods where I am most of the time.

http://www.weaveroptics.com/pg6_7/pg6_7.html

I've got a set of Warne QR rings for it so I can leave it sighted in for my favorite dear load, and still play with other handloads with my iron sights.

Leupold Vari-X II 1X4, or a good fixed power 4X, with a Leupold one piece scope mount.

Leupold Rifleman Series 2-7X33 and Leupold Rifleman Series rings and bases work very well for me on my 30-30. Good quality, moderate price, easy installation, and famous Leupold guarantee.

My 35 Rem. wears Williams 5D receiver sight and Firesight front bead.

I've found the Leupold 2-7X33 scopes are about perfect for the Marlin lever guns.

I was looking at the mounts on the leupolds website and was wondering if anyone has used the raised mounting brackets (similar to a saddle mount on a shotgun to use both iron and scope sights)?
and is there anything you can do to salvage an old scope. the scope is gone to the point of bad picture.
I am new to using scopes. due to living in a shotgun only state. so I have no knowlege of scopes.