Rifle Scopes Lever action scopes????

rem700man

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Dec 19, 2006
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phoenix, AZ
I have a marlin in 444 marlin. I have the xs ghost ring sight and rail system on it now. I'm looking to get a low power scope for this rifle. I'm not wanting more then 4 power. I was looking at the new cabelas lever action scopes that have a BDC for my caliber. I just get nervous when a scope cost $100. I've been down that road before. I have not had a chane to get down to cabelas and look at one. I'm also thinking a fixed power leupold. If anyone has had good success with a particular scope for there lever action I'm all ears. I'm also thinking I want a scope with a long eye relief so I can mount forward on the rail. Would I be looking at a hand gun scope at that point.

If you have any pics of yours that would help too.

Thanks
Mike
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

Don't even bother with the Cabelas lever evolution scope. I tried one and it was the biggest POS I have ever owned.

To work with your Ghost ring rear sight you will need a scout scope. Unless you mount it high enough to go over the sight, which will pretty much kill your cheek weld.

Leupold makes scout scopes. http://swfa.com/Leupold-25x28-FX-II-Scout-Scope-P3261.aspx

I have a fixed 4x Leupold on my Marlin 45-70. It is okay, I liked the size and weight of it over some other options available. But it whites out when even looking in the general direction of the sun. I have other scope that do much better in that regard, but they cost a lot more as well. For the most part though it is a decent scope.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

I had a Burris fixed 2.75X scout scope forward rail mounted on my .444 lever gun for a while. I actually prefered just using the XS ghost irons instead, so sold the scope off...
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

My marlin 336C in .30-30 till recently had my Eotech 511 on the XS Scout rail. Took it off because the XS Ghost Rings arrived.

Much prefer the ghost ring sights, bring things back to basics. Before all that it had an Aimpoint which was great.

I highly reccomend the XS Scout Rail so you can keep your ghost ring sights in place. Perhaps an Aimpoint T1 Micro will suit?
Sure it's a 1x optic but is low profile and streamline with a solid battery life.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

I been looking at the Hi Lux Leatherwood Scout scope for a hunting rifle. Since most things I hunt will be 300M or less, usually as close as I can get for the challenge, A scout scope offers a great advantage with a set of Ghost Rings ounted as well.
SWFA has pretty nice prices on scopes too. I just wish a SN4 had LER for scout mounting, that would rock!
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

Take a look at Muellers Shot gun scopes. The glass is nice, there 2-7X I believe and they can take a 12ga slug recoil, which should be pretty close to that 444. Oh and a life time waranty.

just a thought.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

I looked at the Leatherwood as an option for a scout scope setup on my Marlin 1895SBL and I passed. The quality of the optics was lacking IMO, the finish was fair at best, and the scope just didn't seem to be worth the money Leatherwood was asking for it ($200).

For a scope 4x or less, I'd opt for the Leupold IER 2.5x Scout Scope (Model 58810). The optics are good, plenty of adjustment, it is a well-made and reliable scope that Leupold has been making for ages, and it will serve your purposes well. They are a little more expensive than the Burris at around $270, but they are worth the money.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

I run a FX-II on mine. Happy with it so far. Well suited for a woods gun
marlin4.jpg
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

It sounds as though your Marlin 444 is set up the same as mine.

I originally put a Leupold Scout scope on it but ended up selling that as you can't focus the crosshairs on them and that no workie for me so I went with the Burris Scout (2.75x) as the eyepiece is adjustable.

I kinda like the ghost rings better too as some have mentioned. I just find that forward mounted scope strange. I'm thinking I might like an Aimpoint, or something similar, better than the conventional optic.
Maybe it just takes some getting used to.

I have the scope mounted in quick detachable rings.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

Tommyquest. Very nice. It's sad that out of my rifles the 444 is my favorite and it only cost $400.00

thanks again for all your replies. I'm so addicted to the lever guns now. I'm wandering who can trick the rifles out. I don't want to get crazy with it just want to see if there is a GAP of the lever action world that has some good upgrades.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

I use a Pentax 2-5 on my Marlin 336 in 35Rem and shot a whitetail at 145 yards. Obviously the rifle shoots well. I had sent it to Brockman, got it back 13 months later unfinished and the lever was not as initially advertised and the pin that holds the latch and spring was not put in so the first time I cocked it they flew across the room. The delay was not all Brockman's fault as it spent 6 months at the finisher he was using at the time waiting to be duracoated. But it was an expensive frustrating process.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

Another vote for the Leupold FXII Scout.
IMG_0957.jpg


A set of QR rings are a must if you're planning on using the ghost rings too. IIRC I used Warne low's (one of the suggested rings on XS's site). The best part is it's still zeroed after removing and reinstalling.
IMG_0959.jpg
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: REM700MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tommyquest. Very nice. It's sad that out of my rifles the 444 is my favorite and it only cost $400.00

thanks again for all your replies. I'm so addicted to the lever guns now. I'm wandering who can trick the rifles out. I don't want to get crazy with it just want to see if there is a GAP of the lever action world that has some good upgrades. </div></div>

I've developed a mad crush on lever guns too, namely the Savage 99. There's so many variations and man are they pricey. The nice ones anyway.
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlc356</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another vote for the Leupold FXII Scout.
IMG_0957.jpg


A set of QR rings are a must if you're planning on using the ghost rings too. IIRC I used Warne low's (one of the suggested rings on XS's site). The best part is it's still zeroed after removing and reinstalling. </div></div>

Now that's pretty neat. Is that a factory stock? Or a Hogue maybe?
 
Re: Lever action scopes????

vw,

Thanks. It's a Ram Line synthetic, I think they called it a Trail Lite. The texturing is a diy bedliner with grit. The co. was offering free samples a while back.

It's lighter than the factory wood but before the texture was just way too slick. I've seen some similar builds where the owner/builder coated the factory wood with an epoxy similar to Linex. Looked good and was tough but added about a pound or so.