Scope sighting question for .30-30?

Question

I have a Marlin .30-30 lever action. This is a used gun with a Simmons scope (not sure about scope specs, none are listed but it appears appropriate strength for deer hunting).

I have two questions.

1) If I sight the scope in with 150 grain cartridges, will it be off much if I shoot 125 grain or 170 grain? I won't shoot anything less than 100 yards, since that's probably the limit of this caliber.

2) Someone who hunts deer alot told me that Simmons scopes are terrible and never stay "zeroed". Is this true or something I need to be worried about? Any scope recommendations? This is a $220 used gun, so I am not interested in putting an expensive scope on it.

I usually hunt with iron sights, so any tips are appreciated.

Answer 1

I also own a Marlin 30-30 Win. It is a very nice rifle. I spend considerable time with it at the range target shooting with it with both factory ammo and hand loaded ammo. Here is my take on your questions:

1. The Marling 30-30 rifle is not the most accurate thing to begin with. With most bolt cation rifles, you can put pretty much any type of bullet and load through it and usually be within a couple of inches. I found that the Marlin rifle is not quite that good. With the loads my rifle likes best (which is the Remington 170gr Core-Lokt Hollow Point bullets), I can shoot 3 MOA groups at 100m on a good day. If I use anything else, it will open the groups to about 5 or 6 MOA.

To answer your question, if you sight in for 150 gr bullets, I would expect it to be off by as much as 1 to 5 inches with other weights of bullets. However, you would probably still be able to kill a deer, even with accuracy that poor. I would recommend sighting in for a specific bullet weight. I would even recommend sighting the rifle in for a specific load. At least one time a year you take it hunting, go to the range and make sure the rifle is still sighted in.

2. There really isn't anything wrong with a Simmons Scope. I have a Simmons 4x scope on my 35 Whelen rifle, which has about twice the recoil of a 30-30. I have never had a problem with the scope staying zeroed.

Personally, in my 30-30, I have a Weaver 2.5x scope on it. I think it ran about $150 or so, but it has been a good scope. The only problem I have had is that it has a rubber ring around the eye piece that keeps falling off and I need to order a new one.

Good luck!

Answer 2

1) Yes it will be off with the different weight bullets could be by as much as an inch or two. As suggested by others, hunt with the cartridge you sight the gun in with. You said that you "won't shoot anything LESS than 100 yards". I assume you meant anything MORE than 100 yards. The limit of the cartridge on deer is probably closer to 200 yards but this depends on a well placed shot. I agree that 100 yards is far enough.

2) I for one have had problems with 3 different Simmons scopes. One that wouldn't hold zero under recoil on a .308. One that the cross hairs became an X. And one that fogged inside and wouldn't clear. I won't be buying anymore Simmons scopes. But as suggested, try it for yourself and find out for sure.
As far as replacements, I like Sightron scopes and Nikons. They can be found on Ebay for fairly reasonable prices. For a lower budget scope, I have a Swift and a Mueller that have served well for quite awhile.

If you normally hunt with iron sights and will be holding your shots to 100 yards or less than why not use this Marlin that way too? I have a couple of lever guns that I hunt with they both have been left with the factory iron sights. As I get older, I have trouble using peep sights in low light conditions. I agree that for well lit shooting they can be an aid to accuracy, but hunting conditions aren't always perfect.

In short, just try what you have. If it doesn't work for you go back to the good old iron sights.

Answer 3

Always sight your scope in for the exact ammo you plan to hunt with.
Use a fixed (like in concrete) bench, seated with bags front and rear. This takes the "you" out of the equasion as much as possible and lets you see the relationship between scope and rifle only.
For a lever .30-30 at 100 yards, I'd personally go with a peep sight, which is going to give you a little more accuracy than your iron sights.
A scope should be on the low power end. Too much power on a scope is worse than nothing.

You may also want to look into a scout scope setup for the lever gun. I shot one of these recently and it was ideal for closer work....fast target aquisition and both eyes open....

Nothing wrong at all with Simmons as a brand....they make good middle priced optics.

Answer 4

I have Simmons scopes and have not had a problem holding zero. I would not trust it to move the adjustment and expect it to be have move exactly that amount. That scope on its lowest power will probably be as accurate as the gun, once the zero is set. You should zero that scope with the load you will be shooting. Otherwise it will shoot high or low depending on the velocity change between loads. The lever action rifle you have may shoot as well with iron sights as it does with a scope. Look up some articles written on lever actions, is interesting reading.

Answer 5

Simmons scopes are good and hold their zero. Decide what round you are going to use in you .30-30 and sight it in with that ammo. Rule of thumb, heavier rounds for hog and bear, lighter loads for deer. If you change ammo weight, say 125 or 150 to 170 or vice-versa, re-zero in your rifle.

If you Simmons scope doesn't have a dial at the rear to change power, like from 3x to 9x, then it is a fixed power scope, probably a 4x which is fine for a .30-30.

Good luck.

H

Answer 6

You'll just have to try your rifle to see where different loads shoot. Even staying with one bullet weight, changing bullets will change where it shoots, and so will minor changes in powder and/or primer. I doubt if you'll have problems with the scope, because it won't be subjected to heavy recoil. On the other hand, what use it is may be a question. For deer hunting, the 170 grain load should be the one you choose (although the newish 160 grain LeveRevolution looks intriguing) and a peep is all you need, with improved balance and handling, so I'm not sure why you'd bother.

Answer 7

I agree with Turk. I have a Simmons scope on my .300 mag and I have never had a problem with it holding its zero. I also shoot a Winchester lever action 30-30 and I actually prefer it with no scope. If you are shooting within 75 yards usually, you are good to go without a scope, anything over that just depends on experience and accuracy without one.

Answer 8

If you're serious about shooting, I would suggest that you sight your 30-30 in with the round you'll be hunting with. As for the Simmons scope, I'd take it to a range and see how consistent it is, before accepting anyone else's judgment on it.

Answer 9

I love my Marlin 30 30 and have killed more deer with it than most men in their whgole like and Ihave a simmons scope. ZEROED IN AT 125YRDS AND SIGHT IT BACK IN VERY YEAR AND I never missed a deer with it.