What type of scope would be ideal for my Marlin 30/30?

Question

I'm getting my new rilfe in a few days and i'm thinking of buying a scope for it. I dont know much... if anything about scopes so I was hoping I can get some help with this. I would like to be able to shoot Osamas head clean off from 200 yards away. Also, does anyone know where I can get some cheap 3030 ammo for practice? A link would be helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would recommend a Simmons or Burris or Bushnell, 3-9 X Variable Power Scope as well. The range of 150 yards that you have already been advised is correct, for the distance your 30-30 would be effective..

If you don't mind however, I would also suggest something in addition that no one else has touched on.
When it comes time to get mounts for your new scope get yourself a set of see-thru mounts. These mounts are set high enough that you can see your regular rifle sights underneath the scope for close in shots you don't need your scope to take
as well as those surprise shots that you will have when you flush a Deer in the underbrush. Weaver makes a great set of See-thru mounts and they aren't that much more cost wise than a set of good quality regular rings. Most Gun Shops will have them in stock if you ask for them. There are other brands of the same types of these mounts/rings available too.Good Luck.....

NOTE* These days there is no such thing as inexpensive or "cheap" 30-30 ammunition. Try midwayusa.com for decent ammunition prices, and look at Scopes while you are at it....

Answer 2

Boker is right, the .30-30 is a medium powered and medium ranged round that's going to produce best results under 150 yards. This is the round that has probably taken more deer in the US the past century than any other. You don't need more to really get the job done, but it's not a long range target rifle.

My Grandad had a 336 that he used for several decades and it always filled the freezer with plenty of meat. He never used a scope....he had a peep sight (aperature sight) on it and it was always happy with it just like that.

A scope is expensive, fragile, heavy and bulky.....it kinda betrays the compact "handy" nature of a lever gun.

I suggest you shoot a few dozen boxes of ammo and learn to shoot using the iron sights. You will amaze yourself at how good you can be even at distances without a scope with just a little practice. When you and your gun are nice and comfortable with each other, then you can decide where to go with sights and optics.

Not trying to discourage you from getting a scope, it just may be a good idea to wait and break her in first. Also know that there are some very good options in improved sights for medium ranged brush guns that will make you a lot more accurate without magnification.

If you do decide on a scope, don't get cheap and no sense selling your first born either. You will want something not too big. You don't need it for your effective range and you don't want to give up the Marlin's handy size advantages.

Congrats on your new rifle. Be safe and have a great time.

Answer 3

Well, you may be stretching a .30-30 trying to make shots at 200 yards with it. Most people agree that it is best suited for shots of less than 150 yards. But if you can bust Osama at any distance it is OK with me.

As for the best scope for a .30-30, my vote goes for a fixed 4 power scope. At the ranges that a .30-30 is best suited, the 4 power scope is plenty. Besides, I would prefer putting my money in the best lenses that I cold afford rather than in all of the mechanical parts that go into making a variable power scope. Always buy the best scope you can afford. My advice is to figure out the absolute most you can spend on a scope and then buy the next better scope. As a general rule, a scope should never cost less than th rifle that you put it on. If you can possibly afford a Swarovski scope you will never be sorry. The price hurts like hell but it is a wonderful scope. If you get a chance to look through one and compare it with a cheaper scope, you will buy the Swarovski even if you have to save up for it.

Answer 4

actually the old 30-30 was limited to pretty much shots under 150 yards with any assurance of a clean and humane kill on an animal. With the invention of the new ammo it has extended the range of the 30-30 to around 250 yards. I'd go for a nice 4 power wide view scope. You can go cheap to crazy expensive. A good weaver or bushnell scope would be my choice for economy and reliability. Swarovski scopes are way too pricey, leupold scopes are really nice, but again, kinda pricey. I'd look for a new scope from bushnell at well under$200, same for a weaver if you can find one. Leupold around $350 and swarovski starting closer to $450 on up
if anyone puts down your wanting to hunt with a 30-30, just remind them that more deer have been taken with a 30-30 than any other cartridge. Mind you, I'm not saying it's the best choice, just that if is a decent firearm. I prefer my .270 ;0)

Answer 5

I have a Ruger 10/22 and I can keep a 1 1/2 in group at 75 yards standing up with open sights at times -- 1 inch groups at 100 yards on a sand bag. I would get your gun sighted in and practice if you really want to shoot at all with open sights. Scopes are really a preference. Ask a gun shop to let you look through a rifle with a multi-power scope. Most owners have a personal preference and will help you decide. Anything over 6 power would be overkill for 125 yards or less on a deer. So a 1-5x would suffice. A 30-30 with 170 grain bullets will work fine on wild boar and 150 grain will be plenty for a mule deer. I have not used Hornady's Lever Revolution bullets yet so I can't help you there. Buy a box and try them out. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

I bought my son a Winchest Mod 94 30/30 a few years ago and when we go out to the range he has no problem getting 3-4" groups at 200 yards with it, but like the others have said, this is not a good rifle for that distance for hunting, but here in WA state, 100 yards or less is the norm when hunting, so when we go hunting he uses the iron sights. On the range he uses a Leupold 3x9 which he also uses on his .06.

One thing to be careful of is the type of ammo you get for it, make sure not to get spitzer rounds (sharp pointed end). This might be an olds wives tale, but I've been paranoid enough about it, that I've only used round nose bullets in the 30/30. Anyhow your 30/30 is a tube fed magazine, which means that if you use a sharp point round, it is sitting right on the primer of the next round which could, if struck hard enough, cause the round to go off.

Answer 7

a 30/30 in my opinion is a 100 yard max rifle
the scope has been answered go with a mid grade scope like a bushnell ect
did you actually use cheap and ammo in the same sentence?
if you are planning on 200 yard shots get a bigger rifle
if you are going to be hunting terrorist then you really should look into a 308 or larger tactical rifle

Answer 8

since the effective range for the 30/30 is about 100-150 yards, i wouldn't get a variable. i would but on a fixed power, like a 4 or a 5. my pap has a 3x9 on his but that's way too much scope for that caliber of rifle. make sure to get raised scope mounts so you can still use the open sights that are good for close up shooting which is what that gun is made for.

Answer 9

Good luck with shooting a 30-30 caliber at ranges of 200 yards consistantly, it's at best a 100 to 150 yard gun.Im not saying it can't be done, I'm saying the 30-30 was not designed to be a distance gun, it's a brush gun, period. You'd be best off with a 3-9x40 scope of decent manufacture. Bushnell, Tasco, Burris, even simmons.

Answer 10

The best scope for your rifle is an easy choice. The great thing about the Marlin lever action is its handiness for woods hunting, and the 30-30 is a close-in woods cartridge. Therefore, the best scope is the one that isn't attached to your rifle. You want a good pair of binoc's and a peep sight.