BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[ajohnson]

I am looking for a new scope for my Marlin 30-30. I hunt mostly hardwood bottoms and pine thickets. Every now and then I get achance to hunt open fields where my shot may be out to 150 yards. But most of my shots are 50 yards or less. Just looking for a good all around scope to handle all situations.

[Hammer1]

i would look for something with a power range of 2.5 X, no higher than 4 X at the most. Buy the best one you can afford. An over-the -counter return policy is nice, in case you have a problem.
Remember, 2.5 X would be the best magnification for the shooting conditions you describe.
You may wish to Post your topic is the OPTIC Section too, as some members don't read all the Sections.
Oh Welcome to BGH :thumbsup1:

[ajohnson]

Thanks for the input. i will post to the optics section as well.

[JTapia]

I have a Weaver K-series in 4X on my 30-30. The terrain I hunt is same as you described just add in some swamps. Sometimes the scope view can get crowded in thick cover so I have it mounted with see thru mounts. Iron sights zeroed at 50 yards and scope at 100 yards I also have the same scope on my 700 ML, that scope is almost 30 years old and stays dead on year after year no matter the gun it is mounted on.

Hammer has given excellent recommendations.

[JTapia]

ajohnson wrote: Thanks for the input. i will post to the optics section as well.



No need to as I have moved this one there.

[ajohnson]

Which would be the better scope for woodland conditions and shot no farther than 125 yard?

Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 or a Leupold Rifleman 2-7x33

[ChesterGolf]

The 2-7x would be more than enough. I would be looking for a 1.5-4x if it was for me in those conditions.

[wonksy]

i've had a straight 4x on my 30-30 for years(since it was new) prob about 35 yrs old! never had a prob and i see no reason to take it off. i have shot with it up to and beyond 100 yards with not a prob...good luck with which ever you choose! :thumbsup1:

[Don Fischer]

In the selection of scopes, most people generally get far more magnification than they actually need. I think the reasoning is that the better you can see, the better you can shoot. That's a blanket statement that is responsible for more poor scope choices than any other reason. I use a straight 2 3/4x scope on my 30-06, it shoots very well to well beyond where I am willing to shoot, 300yds+/-.

My 6.5x55 wears a 1-4x scope, I have no trouble with it to beyond 300 yds either. In your situation you may have a lot of low light shooting, you'll see far better at 2x than at 7x or 9x, the 2x scope allows better light transmission and a much better field of view. Another thing is the handling quality of the rifle with the scope attached. The bigger the scope, the poorer the handling quality. With most of your shots at 50yds or less, you might actually be better off with an aperture rear sight with the insert removed. They are wonderfully accurate and the handling quality of the rifle is not effected at all.

[PORK CHOP]

I like a good fixed 4x scope for a 30-30 i bought a busnell for mine its small and dosent off set the feel and balance of the rifle and it points quickly and is crystal clear and for the 30-30 round its perfect for a brush type carbine